By Bobby Eldridge Head Professional,
PurePoint Golf Reprinted with permission
Golf Chipping Backswing - Swing ONLY Your Arms
Let's talk in more detail about using arms only in the backswing.
What this refers to is that during the entire chipping swing the arms are the only part of the body that moves. As the swing begins the arms, hands and golf club move in one motion together to the top of the swing and they move together in the downswing. The only part you need to think about moving are your arms.
Golf Chipping Backswing - The Shoulders Tilt, They Don't Turn
During the backswing the right shoulder tilts up because of the address position. The right shoulder does not turn, it tilts up.
The arms swing independent of your body. You are trying to develop a repeatable swing that will create consistent impact and distance control.
Chipping is such an exact stroke that you must stay as quiet as a putt. Swinging the arms will generate enough power to send a chip shot as far as you desire.
Golf Chipping Backswing - The Correct Backswing Length
Now the fun begins. The last three parts related to the set-up and now this part relates to how you are going to move the golf club.
This part is going to give you an exact place for you to swing the golf club back to. In chipping you are going to learn one swing and let the club selection control the distance.
Golf Chipping Backswing - Stop at 8 O'clock
The 8:00 backswing will provide you with an exact stopping point at the top of the swing so you can develop consistent distance control.
At the address position the golf club is at 6:00. As the club head starts back the club head passes through 7:00 and as it arrives at 8:00 it will begin to swing back down.
Golf Chipping Backswing - Why to Stop at 8 O'clock
Why 8:00 you ask? All you are trying to do is get the golf ball to have enough air time to carry the fringe and then it will run across the green towards the hole like a putt.
If your club head reaches 9:00 in the backswing the golf ball will have too much power behind it. If you strike the golf ball with that much impact it will send the golf ball too far. Another mistake if you swing the club back to 9:00 is the golf club has to slow down in the downswing so you won't strike the ball too hard. If the club head is moving too slowly it is very difficult to make consistent contact.
Golf Chipping Backswing - The Common Mistakes
The two common mistakes in the backswing are too short of a backswing or too long of a backswing. If the club head stops before 8:00 there will not be enough power in the hit, this will cause you to scoop the golf ball. If the club head passes the 8:00 position this will cause you to strike the golf ball too hard or slow the club head down at impact.
