Andy O'Brien, Windermere Country Club

One of the great practice routines for developing distance control in chipping is simply to throw the ball. Not during a round, as your playing partners would most likely frown on such behavior, but in a practice session. The idea came to me several years ago when a PGA TOUR player came in for a lesson on chipping. This player, who shall go nameless, was having a difficult time with distance control on chip-and-run shots. He struggled because his shots had too much spin and he was developing what he described as the "chip yips". He was having a bit of anxiety prior to taking the club away because of the uncertainty of how the ball was going to roll. I spent a great deal of time trying to fix the mechanics before I just tossed a ball on the green and told him to watch. Before long, he was tossing some, chipping some, and generally having a good time. The visualization, weight shift, and relaxed motion cured his "chip yips".

The drill is a simple one. Grab a few golf balls and head over to the practice green. If you are right handed, take a ball in your right hand and toss it underhanded towards the hole. WATCH CAREFULLY WHERE IT LANDS AND HOW FAR IT ROLLS. After several attempts, you will know exactly how to toss the ball to achieve the proper distance control. You will even be able to predict your results before the ball lands, just based on your newly developed skill! After a few minutes, switch from throwing to chipping. I recommend a 9-iron or an 8-iron, so you will be assured of enough roll. The goal of this drill is always to control your distance without using spin. Switch back and forth between a few toss and a few chips. Eventually, you will be able to feel the shot by visualizing a ball thrown.

I've turned this into a game for junior golfers. They each get three balls, and have a contest. The player who's ball ends up closest to the hole is the winner. The kids love it, and often do not realize they are developing feel as they try to beat their opponent (or coach). To borrow from the title of the hit Fox TV program "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader". It's so easy a 5th grader could do it, but, there always seems to be a shortage of 5th graders, so for my example I've enlisted the skills of a couple of 6th graders. Bianca Aldir and Emma Aspinall are demonstrating the "game" below. They both have become accomplished chippers and fantastic throwers. Now the question I ask pros with chipping problems: "Are you more talented than a sixth grader?".

Picture Below: 11 year old Bianca Aldir of Windermere is throwing the ball in a contest against her friend Emma Aspinall also age 11 of Orlando.  Emma won the contest with a 40 foot toss which put her 7 inches from the cup!

Andy O'Brien is a Teaching Professional at Windermere Country Club, Windermere, Florida
Andy1203@gmail.com; (407) 876-4410