CHIPPING STRATEGY

How to read your chips like putts

Great chipping is as much about strategy and preparation as it is technique. Many amateurs make the mistake of simply looking at the distance they need to hit the ball rather than looking at the shot, figuring out where they need to land the ball on the green and deciding what club is best-suited to the situation. Here's a routine you can quickly integrate into your game to chip it closer more often. It doesn't have to slow up play - in fact, it'll speed things along if you're chipping it dead every time!

1 Before you even think about club selection, walk to your ball, assess the lie and the shot you think you'll need to play. Start to visualise the flight and roll of the ball in your mind.

2 Pick a landing spot a few feet onto the green, taking into account any slope the ball might encounter on the way to the hole. Now you can pull the club from the bag. Also remember that once the ball starts rolling it will take the slope on the green just like a putt, so always factor in break.