Here are five effective golf chipping drills that players can practice at home to improve their short game:
1. The Towel Drill
This drill helps with distance control and improving contact.
How to do it:
- Place a towel on the ground about 3-4 feet in front of you.
- Set up to chip using your regular stance and swing.
- Aim to land the ball on the towel while maintaining a smooth chipping motion.
- The goal is to control your distance so the ball lands softly on the towel without overshooting.
Key Focus: Control, rhythm, and soft landings.
2. The Gate Drill
This drill helps with accuracy and ensuring a square clubface through impact.
How to do it:
- Set up two objects (like tees or small cones) about the width of your clubhead apart, creating a “gate.”
- Stand a few feet back from the gate and chip the ball so it travels through the gate.
- Start with a larger gap between the objects, and narrow the gap as you improve your accuracy.
Key Focus: Accuracy, clubface alignment, and a square impact position.
3. One-Handed Chipping Drill
This is a great drill for building feel and control in the short game.
How to do it:
- Take your normal chipping setup, but remove your non-dominant hand from the club.
- Use only your dominant hand to chip several balls toward your target.
- Switch hands and do the drill with your non-dominant hand as well to improve balance and control.
Key Focus: Developing feel, control, and a smooth chipping stroke.
4. Coin Drill for Contact
This drill focuses on clean ball contact, reducing thin or fat chips.
How to do it:
- Place a coin (or small object) on the ground where you would typically place the ball.
- Practice swinging your club as if you're chipping a ball, making contact with the coin without hitting the ground behind it.
- The coin helps you focus on striking the ground at the correct spot, simulating proper ball contact.
Key Focus: Clean contact, reducing fat or thin shots.
5. Circle Drill for Consistency
This drill builds consistency in your distance control and shot precision.
How to do it:
- Lay out a circle with a 3-foot diameter using string or markers around a hole or target.
- Stand 10-15 feet away and attempt to chip the ball into the circle.
- Gradually increase the distance while maintaining accuracy and control, aiming for every chip to land within the circle.
Key Focus: Consistency, accuracy, and distance control.
Conclusion: Practicing these chipping drills at home will help golfers improve their short game skills, which are essential for lowering scores. With just a few props and some dedication, golfers can develop their accuracy, feel, and consistency from the comfort of their backyard or even indoors.
These drills can be paired with golf training aids available in the GolfThing store, such as chipping nets, practice mats, and golf training aids. Happy chipping!