A good short game is vital to become a low handicap golfer.

This means you need to master the art of chipping, putting, bunker, and pitch shots. In this post, I focus on two of the areas: chipping vs pitching.

I will teach you what you need to know about chipping and pitching to ensure you save strokes around the green. For starters, you learn the difference and similarities between the two shots. Then, I shall explain when to play which type of shot and how.

The Main Differences Between Chipping vs Pitching

Ball Flight

The main difference between a chip and a pitch shot is the flight distance of the golf ball. A chip shot rolls further than it flies, which is why it suits short shots around the green.

Conversely, a pitch shot requires a higher trajectory as the ball flies further than it rolls.

Roll

A chip shot is designed to roll further than a pitch shot. The lower trajectory of this shot causes the ball to hit the turf and roll up to your target. The higher flight of a pitch shot causes the ball to bounce a couple of times before coming to a stop.

Therefore, a chip shot is a better option if you are trying to run the ball up to the pin.

Golf Clubs

Chipping gives you the freedom to use a different club for each situation. If your sand or lob wedge doesn’t offer sufficient muscle, you can employ a 9-iron. Alternatively, you can look to your stronger lofted clubs. I often use my 2-hybrid iron to chip from the greenside rough.

The added weight in the head gives me the necessary forgiveness, while the sole produces excellent turf interaction. The combination delivers a consistent, forgiving strike for optimal results.

Conversely, your choices are restricted with a pitch shot. You need a club that offers sufficient loft to clear a greenside bunker or pond. However, excess loft could impact your carry distance. I suggest using a pitching, gap, or sand wedge for this shot.

Ball Position

Golf coach Chris Ryan explains that you need to adjust the ball position in your stance for each shot. For example, he suggests placing the ball in line with the back of your sternum for chip shots. However, you are urged to move the ball forward in your setup for pitch shots. The golf ball should align with the center of your sternum:

Adjusting the ball placement in your stance helps you produce optimal contact on your downswing. This leads to the desired trajectory, backspin, and ball roll.

Weight

Like your ball position you need to adjust the weight distribution at address to execute each shot. Ryan recommends placing your weight on your lead foot for chip shots, which creates forward shaft lean.

This setup helps you induce a downward strike that leads the clubface into the back of the golf ball. As a result, you produce a clean strike and the desired launch and roll.

On the other hand, Ryan urges golfers to shift some weight to their back leg, which is the right foot for right-handers. Approximately 55% of your weight should remain on the front leg at address for a pitch.

The relatively even mass distribution reduces shaft lean, which prompts the sole of your clubhead to catch the turf and get under the ball. As a result, the ball flies longer than it rolls.

Forearm Rotation and Wrist Hinging

When you play a chip shot, you rely on your shoulders and lower body rotation to send your ball traveling towards the pin. That differs from a pitch shot which demands forearm rotation and wrist hinging. This motion helps you generate the power and clubhead speed to get the ball airborne and flying towards the pin.

The Similarities Between Chipping and Pitching

Short Game Shots

The core similarity between chipping and pitching is that they both fall under the category of short-game shots. Therefore, they are both played when golfers are close to the green and need to get up and down.

Wedges Are Used For Both Shots

In addition, to both these shots being employed in your short game, they typically require the same clubs. You have more freedom to select a lower lofted club on chips. Some golfers may opt for a 7 or 8-iron should they desire lower launch and added run.

However, for the most part, you are swinging sand, lob, or pitching wedges. These clubs produce the necessary spin and loft for you to achieve maximum greenside control.

When to Hit a Chip Shot

A chip shot is designed for instances when you cannot putt and need to clear a few feet of ground before allowing the ball to run-up to the hole. As a result, you only chip the ball when you are around the green.

On occasion you may have no shot and decide to chip a 7-iron or pitching wedge out from trees. The point is that a chip is a short shot and does not require a full swing.

Since this shot causes the ball to roll further than it flies, you need to have green to work with. If the pin is set close to the front edge, you may want to play a flop shot to stop the ball instantly. Otherwise, your ball could run well past the hole and leave you in danger of a bogey.

When to Hit a Pitch Shot

I typically employ a pitch shot when I am too close to the green for a full golf swing, yet too far for a chip. The higher launch of a pitch shot enables you to carry the rough or fairway ahead of you and land it close to the pin.

The idea of a pitch shot is to get the ball to stop after a couple of bounces, leaving yourself a short putt.

How to Hit a Chip Shot

Golfers struggling to get up and down with the chip shot, should learn about our 7 proven chipping drills. These exercises aid in building your confidence, creativity, and control around the green.

However, beginners who are unfamiliar with the shot are about to learn how to execute it with precision.

Step 1 – Soft Hands

A quality chip shot starts with a loosened grip to enhance your feel and embrace the bounce of the sole. Lighten your grip on the club, and let your shoulder and lower body rotation take the club back and through.

Step 2 – Back Foot Ball Position

Chris Ryan suggests that you place the ball in line with the aft of your sternum when setting up for a chip. This positions you optimally to strike the ball cleanly with a downward strike. Placing the ball in this position makes it easier for your shorter shafted club to connect the ball cleanly and produce the desired launch:

Step 3 – Weight on Your Front Foot

Once your ball is set up towards your back foot, shift your weight to the front leg. This helps you produce forward shaft lean, further encouraging a downward strike. When your weight is on the back foot, you risk getting under the ball and delivering more flight than roll.

Step 4 – Optimize Shoulder and Lower Body Rotation

Ryan further recommends eliminating wrist hinge and arm rotation from your chip shots. This is done to enhance the accuracy of your strikes and eliminate erratic results. Removing wrist action helps you produce a pendulum motion and take the club straight back and forward.

This way, you are more likely to land the ball in your target spot and allow it to run to the hole. Excess wrist or forearm movement could cause you to pull or hook your chip, leading to a loss of accuracy.

Step 5 – Strike the Ball With Downwards Force

By now, you know that a chip shot is crafted to make the ball roll further than it flies. Therefore you need to produce a lower launch to achieve this feat. That is why you need to strike the back of your golf ball with downwards force.

Connecting your golf ball at this angle produces a lower flight and increased roll, enabling you to run the ball up to the flag.

How to Hit a Pitch Shot

Step 1 – Neutral Grip

A pitch shot requires an element of wrist hinge and forearm rotation. This helps you generate the prerequisite power to impart optimal ball speed and spin on the ball. If your grip is too loose, the clubhead could veer off path leading to a pushed shot.

That is why you should employ a neutral grip. It gives you control and an element of feel required for a successful pitch shot.

Step 2 – Center Ball Position

Opposite to a chip shot, Ryan suggests positioning the ball in line with the center of your sternum. This gives you enough space to get the clubface under the ball at impact to launch it into the air.

Step 3 – Distribute Weight

When you set up for a chip shot, you position all your weight on the front foot. That encourages a downward strike, encouraging your ball to roll more than it flies. You must reposition some weight on your back leg for this strike. But, 55% of your mass must remain on your front leg.

The relatively equal weight distribution prevents you from ballooning your strikes or topping the golf ball. If you lean back too far when hitting under the ball, it pops into the air and does not travel the required distance.

Step 4 – Produce Arm Rotation and Wrist Hinging

A pitch shot demands arm rotation and wrist hinging. These actions help golfers generate the clubhead speed and angle of attack necessary to launch the ball skywards. This trajectory enables you to get your ball up to the hole and stop it after one or two bounces.

Step 5 – Connect Under The Ball

When you strike the ball for a chip, you compress it at impact to produce a low flying shot with optimal roll. However, with a pitch shot, it is necessary to fly obstacles in your path and stop the ball close to the flagstick.

As a result, you need to get under the golf ball at impact to launch it into the air, ensuring it has sufficient club to reach the target. The trajectory then helps the ball land softly before coming to a halt after a couple of bounces.

Related Reading: We have a host of additional game improvement tips to boost your performance. I recommend starting with the 9 best short game drills to lower your handicap.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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You can play approach shots, chips, bump and runs or bunker shots. You can play approach shots, chips, bump and runs, flops, and bunker shots.

In this post, I reveal the best chipping wedges for all skill levels.

You’ll find that I have included super game improvement wedges to keep high handicappers straight. Also, I have included semi-forgiving high-spinning designs for players with mid-handicaps and buttery-soft, playable wedges for superior golfers. These clubs have a high degree of loft and spin, which will help you to gain control on the green. Low handicappers can use a variety wedges to achieve different chip shots. For example, they may use a 56-degree wedge for a standard chip and a 60-degree for shorter plays, with little green to work with.

4 Best Chipping Wedges for High Handicappers

Before you dive into the list below, I suggest bookmarking our review on the 10 best wedges for high handicappers.

1. Cleveland RTX ZipCore

Cleveland RTX Zipcore

ZipCore increases MOI while shifting the CG. It also adds spin, improves control and consistency, and enhances your shot. UltiZip grooves are deeper, sharper and narrower. They are more aggressive, more able to channel debris and closer together, allowing for greater groove contact.

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Pros

Generates straighter shots

Increases friction at impact

Cons

• The design is chunky
• It is not the highest-spinning wedge I have tested
• The Cleveland RTX ZipCore emerges as a highly forgiving wedge that helps high handicappers produce straighter chip shots. In addition, I found that this cavity back design generated exceptional spin and the grooves were highly durable.
• You’ll notice that the wedge takes its name from the Zipcore technology the engineers used to alter the center of gravity (CG). As a result, the wedge possesses an advanced moment of inertia (MOI) to remain stable at impact and reduce spin drop-off.
• Next, the Ultizip grooves impressed me with their ability to boost friction at impact and impart increased spin on my ball. Cleveland engineers designed the grooves on the clubface to be deeper, sharper and narrower. They bite into your cover and impart consistent revolutions per minute on the ball.

Finally, you’ll appreciate the durability of the heat-treated grooves that will extend the lifespan of your wedge.

• 2. Tour Edge E522

Tour Edge Hot Launches E522 Wedge

The E522 wedge’s super-wide sole, combined with its heavier head weight, helps eliminate flubs and improve contact. The E522 Wedge is designed to be versatile by adding extreme performance to chipping and pitching, explosion shots from the sand or rough, flopshots, bump-and run shots, and flop shots.

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Pros

Extremely affordable

Provides optimal turf interaction

Carries a high MOI

Prompts straighter shots

The oversized head construction does not appeal to everyone

• Tour Edge E522 delivered superb performance during testing despite its entry-level price tag. In my experience, it offered reduced turf interaction, amplified forgiveness, and consistent spin across the clubface.
• You’ll immediately spot the Super Wide Houdini Sole, which Tour Edge claim limits turf interaction by 35%. It was impressive to see it make clean, consistent contact with the ball and glide across the turf. The extra-large clubface is designed to increase MOI and improve accuracy on the dancefloor. High handicap golfers will appreciate the added forgiveness to keep their ball on target on mishits.
• Lastly, the Tour Edge engineers impressed me with the Full-Face Maximized Grooves construction. It was able to produce impressive spin when hitting the sweet spot, and maintained my revolutions per second on off-center hits. Cleveland CBX

• Cleveland Golf CBX4 – 56 Degrees

• Lightweight, low-density cores work in conjunction with the cavity design to reduce vibrations, while also shifting weight, and boosting MOI, for increased feel, consistency, and forgiveness.

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Pros

• It possesses a high MOI
• Optimal forgiveness

Fights misses to the right

Engulfs vibrations on off-center strikes

Produces ample spin

Cons

Chunky profile

Only one sole grind option for sand wedges

Maximum Forgiveness

• Delivers consistent spin
• Produces crisp turf interaction
• Prevents spin drop off
• Perimeter weighting increases MOI for straighter shots
• Cons

It is only available in one sole grind

• The oversized profile is not pretty at setup.
• The Callaway Mack Daddy CB is my final chipper recommendation for high handicappers. It provided consistent spin and accuracy on every shot. In addition, it gifted me with clean turf interaction to encourage a sweet strike from anywhere on the golf course.

You’ll learn soon enough that the Groove-in-Groove technology powers your spin and control with this wedge. I enjoyed maximum spin for a game improvement golf club, improving my control and consistency around the dancefloor.

My only gripe with this wedge is that the weaker lofted wedges are only available in a single-sole grind. This may upset some players like me, but it takes the guesswork out of the process for a beginner unsure of the best option.

4 Best Chipping Wedges for Mid Handicappers

1. Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS

Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws Wedge (54 Degrees)

New, tour-tested C and W grinds have been updated to allow for a greater variety of greenside shots. The head shape progresses away from the traditional shaped lob and sand wedges towards a compact design for pitching & gap wedges. This allows a seamless transition to an iron set.

• Pros
• Soft feel
• Two sole grind choices
• Generates enhanced friction
• Prompts rampant ball speed

Moderate forgiveness

• Cons
• I do not enjoy the presence of the medallions on the back

Expensive compared to other mid-handicapper wedges

The Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS is admired by the average golfer demanding aggressive friction and spin without sacrificing feel. I also found that the moderately sized clubhead enables an element of workability for improved control.

You’ll see that this wedge is constructed with 8620 mild carbon steel, which creates a soft feel for increased feedback at contact. I find this additional feedback helps me better judge the force required to execute my shot.

Furthermore, the Mack Daddy 5 JAWS offers you two sole grinds in the sand wedge department, the W and S-grind. The W-grind is best for soft turf, and it’s also great for golfers who have a steep angle. Conversely, the S-grind fairs superbly on soft to medium ground and suits all attack angles.

Lastly, you’ll produce enhanced friction off the clubface thanks to the JAWS MD 5 Groove Micro Features. The aggressive, sharp grooves are closer together to increase traction and bite your ball cover in order to impart increased spin.

Cobra Snakebite

The Cobra Connect grip analyzes each shot for deeper insight into your game

• Enhanced stability at impact
• 3 sole grind options
• Cons
• Some golfers may not enjoy the oversized profile
• The thicker Cobra Connect grip will not appeal to everyone.

Mid-handicappers will find the Cobra Snakebite wedge a high-spinning build designed to amplify your control on short game shots. The Cobra Connect Grip is a great grip. I liked the friction, feel and shot analysis. I felt the impact of the technology in the spin and could better control the roll and flight of my chip shots.

• Moreover, I found the Progressive face grooves managed to optimize my spin and launch for the ideal flight and control. The sand wedge and the lob wedge are also fitted with full-faced grooves that impart optimal spin to all shots made with an open face. You can avoid spin-drop. I believe more golfers will benefit from the versatile grind, which suits different conditions and attack angles. The sole cavity ensures optimal weight distribution
• Prompts a low, controlled launch

Provides a soft feel

Cons

Reduced forgiveness

The face rusts over time which may not appeal to some golfers

The TaylorMade Hi-Toe RAW

Pros

Classy-aged copper finish

• 3 sole grinds to choose from
• The sole TaylorMade Hi-Toe RAW
• Pros
• Classy-aged copper finish
• 3 sole grinds to choose from

The sole cavity ensures optimal weight distribution

• Prompts a low, controlled launch
• Provides a soft feel

Cons

Reduced forgiveness

The face rusts over time which may not appeal to some golfers

The TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw is an attractive wedge with an aged copper finish, built to produce low, controlled flight and rampant spin. The Hi-Toe RAW is a wedge that’s perfect for golfers with a mid-handicap who want centered, higher CG to encourage lowered flight and more spin. I felt it improved my distance control, as my ball launched lower and rolled as intended, compared to a ballooned shot that landed short of the mark.

Furthermore, you’ll find TaylorMade offers the Hi-Toe Raw wedge in 3 sole grinds, ranging from a low to mid and high bounce angle. Low bounce is best for players with shallow attack angles. Conversely, those with a steep swing may prefer a high-bounce option.

Lastly, I noticed that the full-face scoring lines produced incredible spin around the green. The PXG 0311 Forged

Pros

• Single versatile sole grind
• Generates optimal friction
• Produces increased spin on short shots
• Offers a soft feel
• Delivers maximum feedback

Cons

• The medallions on the cavity back wedge are an eyesore
• The clubface is partially Precision milled

The PXG 0311 wedge PXG 0311 Forged

Pros

Single versatile sole grind

Generates optimal friction

Produces increased spin on short shots

Offers a soft feel

Delivers maximum feedback

• Cons
• The medallions on the cavity back wedge are an eyesore
• The clubface is partially Precision milled
• The PXG 0311 wedges are suitable for the average golfer seeking additional spin, a soft feel, and a consistent sole. PXG engineers decided it was tedious crafting different sole grinds for players, so they concocted a single versatile design that delivers crisp turf interaction.
• You’ll notice that the 0311 is forged from 8620 carbon steel, which creates a soft feel for improved feedback off the clubface. I could feel the ball leave the face and get a better feel for the force needed to execute the chip. PXG engineers created a high-density, friction-promoting pattern by engraving score lines into the precision-milled surface. You’ll find this increases your spin on chip shots for precise results.

Finally, the single versatile sole worked well in all conditions by producing sufficient bounce for steep attack angles while lowering it for neutral swings.

• 3 Best Chipping Wedges for Low Handicappers

1. Titleist Vokey SM9 Tour Chrome

Pros

Compact profile

Encourages clean contact on all shots

Durable grooves

Produces rampant spin

4 sole grinds to choose from

Cons

• Reduced forgiveness on off-center hits
• Expensive compared to other wedges
• Titleist Vokey wedges need little introduction, and the powerhouse team continues its innovation with the SM9 Tour. This wedge has the perfect balance of spin, soft feel and clean contact. The lob wedge comes in 5 lofts, whereas the sand is available in 4.0. The high-bounce D grind is a good choice for players who like to take deep divots. Alternatively, the M-grind suits golfers seeking a versatile grind for various shots, lies, and turf firmness.
• Furthermore, Vokey and his team heat-treated the grooves of the SM9 Tour Chrome to deliver a robust spin rate and enhance their durability. The compact profile will also make this wedge more enjoyable to use at address. However, it may reduce the forgiveness of mishits. Mizuno T22 Satin Chrome

• Mizuno T22 Satin Chrome Wedge

  Finely tuned head geometry provides ideal feedback and impact feel. Milled grooves with narrow/deep grooves for lofts that are stronger and wider/shallower grooves for lofts that are higher.

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Pros

• Super soft feel
• Prevents spin drop off

4 sole grinds to choose from

Attractive tear drop profile

More affordable than other wedges for low handicappers

Cons

The glare was an issue with the satin chrome

The face may rust sooner rather than later, but it does not impact your greenside performance.

• Pros
• Produces a soft feel on all shots
• Delivers clean turf interaction
• Reduces spin drop off
• More affordable than other tour-level wedges

Generates rampant short-game spin

• Cons
• The wider sole is unattractive

Limited forgiveness

I have always found that Wilson makes excellent value-for-money golf clubs and balls aimed at the average golfer. However, in recent years they have released equipment for superior golfers, and the Wilson Staff Model is one example.

Wilson soft forged the Staff Model wedges from 8620 carbon steel to create a muted feel off the clubface. The soft-touch enabled me to better judge my distance on each shot for greater consistency and enjoyment around the dancefloor.

You’ll see that the engineers crafted a Precision Milled Face to encourage consistent contact with the golf ball from any lie. Wilson engineers engraved score lines on the precision-milled surface for a more dense pattern. As a result, you’ll enjoy consistent contact and less spin drop-off.

Finally, I did not enjoy the appearance of the wider sole. It soon proved me incorrect as it allowed clean turf interaction between the fairway and greenside rough. He has seen the highs, and the lows of the game and is now a professional writer. He has a Postgraduate degree in Sports Marketing. He’s played golf for over 28 years. Current Handicap : 8

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