A chipper golf club is a specialized club designed to make chipping shots easier for golfers of all skill levels. Can I use a chipper instead of a wedge for chipping? Yes, you absolutely can use a chipper instead of a wedge for chipping, especially if you struggle with the lofted approach of traditional wedges. The chipper is often described as a hybrid between a putter and a pitching wedge. It helps beginners and inconsistent players get the ball close to the hole with less fear of blading or digging the shot.
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What is a Chipper Golf Club?
A chipper is a short iron-like club built specifically for shots around the green where you need a low trajectory and consistent roll. Think of it as a secret weapon for chipping around the green. It usually has a loft similar to a 7-iron or 8-iron, often between 30 and 38 degrees. This lower loft means the ball flies less high and rolls more after landing. This makes controlling trajectory much simpler than when using a wedge for chipping. Many golfers find that the face of the chipper is flatter, similar to a putter face, which helps encourage a clean, sweeping motion rather than a steep descending blow.
Why Use a Chipper Over a Wedge?
Many golfers struggle with their short game. They often try too hard to get the ball up in the air quickly, leading to mishits. This is where the chipper shines. It simplifies the required motion.
Simpler Swing Motion
When you use a traditional wedge for chipping, you often need to use a steeper angle of attack. This requires precise timing and good technique. The chipper encourages a smoother, pendulum-like swing. You use a motion that feels very similar to putting, just standing slightly further from the ball. This familiarity reduces tension in your hands and arms. Less tension means more consistent contact.
Lower Risk, More Roll
The lower loft of a chipper means the shot flies lower. This reduces the chance of leaving the ball short or hitting it too thin (blading it across the green). Because the ball spends less time in the air, it spends more time rolling toward the cup. This predictable flight and roll are key components of successful chip shot setup execution.
Forgiving Design
Chipper heads are often designed to be more forgiving. They frequently have wider soles, much like a hybrid or fairway wood. This wider sole helps the club glide through the grass and prevents it from digging into the turf. This feature is crucial when practicing bunker shots from tight lies near the fringe, although dedicated sand wedges are still better for deep sand.
Deciphering the Chipper’s Specs
To effectively use your chipper, you need to know what makes it different from other clubs in your bag.
Loft Matters Most
The best loft for chipping is highly personal, but chippers typically fall into a specific range.
| Club Type | Typical Loft Range (Degrees) | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Putter | 0 – 4 | Rolling on the green |
| Chipper | 30 – 38 | Short shots off the fringe or fairway |
| Pitching Wedge | 44 – 48 | Medium-height chips, approaches |
| Gap Wedge | 50 – 54 | Higher trajectory shots, bunker play |
A 34-degree chipper often acts like an 8-iron, giving you a clean roll-out. If your wedge game is weak, starting with a lower-lofted chipper promotes the bump and run chip shot style, which is much easier to master.
Shaft Length and Lie Angle
Chipper shafts are often shorter than standard irons, sometimes closer to a putter length. This positions you more upright. This upright posture promotes better balance and encourages that putting-like stroke. The lie angle is usually flatter than a standard iron, matching the flatter angle you adopt when putting.
Mastering the Chip Shot Setup with a Chipper
The setup is the foundation of good chipping techniques. When using a chipper, your setup should minimize variables and promote a smooth, repeatable motion.
Stance and Ball Position
- Stance Width: Keep your stance narrow—about shoulder-width apart is perfect. A narrow stance limits side-to-side movement.
- Ball Position: Place the ball slightly toward the center or slightly back in your stance. Unlike full swings where the ball is often forward, a slightly rearward position encourages that downward strike needed to launch the ball cleanly without excessive loft.
- Weight Distribution: Shift your weight slightly forward, onto your lead foot (left foot for right-handed players). Aim for 60% to 70% of your weight on the front foot. This helps keep your hands ahead of the ball at impact.
Grip Adjustment
When using a chipper, many golfers adopt a grip closer to their putting grip.
- Grip Pressure: Hold the club lightly. Tension is the enemy of good short game practice.
- Grip Placement: You can use a standard iron grip, but many prefer to choke down slightly on the grip. This offers more control over the short swing. Some even use a slightly modified “claw” or reverse overlap grip, similar to what they use on the green, to ensure the wrists stay quiet.
Alignment
Because the chipper encourages the bump and run chip shot, you generally want to aim for the ball to land about one-third of the way to the hole. Align your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to your target line, just like you would with a mid-iron. Keep your eyes directly over the ball or slightly inside the ball toward the target side.
Executing the Swing Motion
The chipper swing is a simplified version of a putting stroke, scaled up slightly in length.
The Backswing: Keeping Wrists Quiet
The goal is to limit wrist hinge. Excessive wrist hinge adds loft, which negates the benefit of the chipper.
- Shoulder Rock: The primary source of power should be a rotation of your shoulders, like a gentle pendulum swinging back and forth.
- Length of Swing: For a short chip, the backswing might only go to waist height or slightly higher. This dictates the distance the ball travels.
Impact: Staying Ahead of the Ball
Impact with the chipper should feel solid and descending, but not steep.
- Weight Stays Forward: Keep that 60-70% weight on your front foot throughout the swing. Do not let your weight shift backward as you hit the ball.
- Face Stays Square: The clubface must remain square to the target line. Because the swing is short, any deviation in the face angle will result in a significant error sideways.
The Follow-Through: Matching the Backswing
The follow-through should mirror the backswing. If your backswing was three feet long, your follow-through should be about three feet long as well. This ensures you maintain rhythm and control for controlling golf chip distance. Avoid scooping or lifting the club up aggressively after impact. Let the momentum carry the club through the finish position, which should see your weight fully shifted to your lead foot.
Controlling Golf Chip Distance
This is where short game practice with the chipper becomes vital. Since the loft is consistent, you control distance purely by the length of your swing arc.
Establishing Yardage Markers
You must train your body to associate specific backswing lengths with specific distances. Set up targets on the practice green—say, 5 yards, 10 yards, and 15 yards.
- Short Swing (5 Yards): Practice a very short backswing, maybe just enough to rock your shoulders back a few inches. This is for chips right off the fringe.
- Medium Swing (10 Yards): Swing back to about knee height. This is your standard chip length.
- Longer Swing (15 Yards): Swing back to about waist height. Use this for slightly longer approaches where you need the ball to carry further.
| Swing Length Association | Approximate Backswing Height | Resulting Shot Type |
|---|---|---|
| Short Chip | Ankle/Knee High | Ball rolls immediately, minimal air time |
| Standard Chip | Waist High | Classic bump and run chip shot |
| Longer Chip | Shoulder High | Maximum distance for the chipper |
Using Feel Over Force
Focus on maintaining the same tempo through the hitting area, regardless of swing length. The speed of the swing arc dictates the power, but the tempo (the rhythm between backswing and through-swing) must stay the same for consistency. This is key for reliably controlling golf chip distance.
Different Scenarios for Chipper Use
While the chipper excels at simple chips, it can be surprisingly versatile in the short game.
Using a Chipper for the Bump and Run Chip Shot
The bump and run chip shot is the ideal shot for a chipper. This shot involves landing the ball short on the green, allowing it to roll the rest of the way.
- Target Spot: Pick a spot on the green about 1 to 2 feet onto the surface.
- Execution: Use your standard, slightly forward-weighted setup. Swing smoothly, aiming for solid contact where the ball launches low and runs.
- Advantage: This shot is much less affected by wind or slight variations in the grass length compared to a flop shot.
Chipper vs. Putter on Tight Lies
When the fringe is very tight, and you are just off the green, you have a choice: putt or chip.
- Putter: Great if the line is true, but if there is even a slight ridge or imperfection, the putter might skip or bounce unpredictably.
- Chipper: The slight loft (30-38 degrees) helps lift the ball cleanly over the fringe fringe or any low clipping of grass, getting it onto the smooth surface of the green faster. Use a very short swing for this application.
Chipper and Bunker Shots?
Should you use your chipper for practicing bunker shots? Generally, no. Traditional chipping techniques for bunkers require loft and bounce to displace sand efficiently. The flat sole and low loft of a chipper will likely cause it to dig too deeply or simply push the sand without lifting the ball. Keep your dedicated sand wedge for actual sand play. However, the chipper is excellent for escaping very shallow, tight-lipped greenside bunkers where the sand is mostly thin dust.
Drills for Improving with Your Chipper
Consistent short game practice requires focused drills. The chipper responds best to drills that emphasize rhythm and consistent contact.
The Towel Drill
This classic drill helps you maintain tempo and keep your wrists quiet.
- Place a small towel or headcover on the ground about six inches behind your golf ball.
- Set up to the ball with your chipper.
- Perform your normal chipping motion.
- The Goal: Hit the ball solidly without accidentally hitting the towel behind it. If you lift your hands or hinge your wrists too early, you will likely hit the towel. This drill forces you to maintain your forward weight pressure and solid contact.
The Gate Drill for Alignment
This drill ensures your clubface is aimed correctly at impact.
- Place two tees (the “gate”) just wider than your chipper’s clubface, positioned directly in line with your target.
- Address the ball. You must swing the club straight through the gate without hitting either tee.
- This is excellent for reinforcing a straight path, which is critical when trying to master controlling golf chip distance with a low-lofted club.
Distance Control Rings Drill
To improve yardage control, set up targets on the practice green using alignment sticks or colored discs.
- Place a target disc 5 yards away. Hit 10 balls trying to land within a 3-foot circle around it using your shortest swing.
- Move the target 10 yards away. Use your medium swing length.
- Repeat for 15 yards with a slightly longer swing.
This method directly translates practice swings into measurable results, making your chipping drills highly effective.
Comparison: Chipper vs. Traditional Wedge Chipping Techniques
While the chipper simplifies things, it’s helpful to know how the technique differs from standard wedge play.
Angle of Attack
- Wedge Chipping: Often requires a slightly descending blow (hitting down on the ball) to create necessary spin and height.
- Chipper Use: Encourages a shallower, sweeping motion, almost like striking the ball on the upswing or level with the ground. This is why it promotes the bump and run chip shot.
Ball Flight Control
- Wedge: You actively try to control height by adjusting loft, wrist action, and swing speed. This is complex when using a wedge for chipping.
- Chipper: You minimize loft manipulation. Height is controlled almost entirely by the length of the swing. This consistency is great for players who struggle with feel.
Lies Around the Green
| Lie Condition | Recommended Club | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Very Tight/Fringe | Chipper | Lifts ball cleanly over stubble; low trajectory needed. |
| Light Rough (1 inch) | Pitching Wedge or 9-Iron | Need a bit more energy to penetrate the grass. |
| Deep Rough | Sand Wedge or Gap Wedge | Requires steepness to blast the ball out cleanly. |
Who Should Use a Chipper?
The chipper is not a miracle cure, but it is an excellent tool for specific golfers.
- Beginners: If you are just starting and find chipping around the green intimidating, the chipper builds confidence quickly.
- Seniors or Players with Physical Limitations: If shoulder rotation or wrist flexibility is limited, the putting-like motion required by the chipper is much easier on the body.
- The Recovery Golfer: If you often chunk or blade chips with your wedges, the chipper provides a highly reliable fallback club for those high-pressure short shots. It helps maintain a low-scoring day when your full swing is working but your finesse is lacking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How far does a chipper typically send the ball?
A chipper generally sends the ball about as far as a 7-iron or 8-iron, depending on the exact loft and your swing speed. Because the trajectory is low, the distance is primarily determined by the roll. On firm greens, a 34-degree chipper might travel 10 yards in the air and 20 yards rolling.
Q2: Should I carry a chipper in my bag instead of an 8-iron?
This depends on your game. If you have gaps in your iron set, or if you truly struggle with chipping but hit your irons well, the chipper can be a valuable addition. Most standard sets have a gap between the pitching wedge and 9-iron that the chipper fills perfectly. However, if you already master chipping techniques with wedges, you might not need it. Many players use it instead of a gap wedge if they rarely need high loft.
Q3: How do I transition from using a chipper back to a wedge?
Once you are confident with the rhythm and weight transfer from short game practice with the chipper, try applying that exact same motion to a pitching wedge. The key is to reduce wrist action when moving to the wedge. Use the same pendulum setup and forward weight bias. The wedge will launch higher, but the motion you established with the chipper will keep your contact solid.
Q4: Is it considered cheating to use a chipper?
No, it is absolutely not cheating. Golf rules allow the use of any club in your bag, provided it conforms to the USGA/R&A standards (which chippers do). If a tool helps you play better golf and enjoy the game more, you should use it. Many touring professionals carry similar low-lofted wedges specifically for the bump and run chip shot.