Don't forget the bounce!

Have trouble chipping and pitching? Do you feel like you have the correct set up, and swing?
Hands forward            check
Stance open                 check
Good ball position       check
Hit down at the ball     check
Avoid scooping            check

Sometimes golfers exaggerate the coaching they get (very unusual but it happens) and this causes problems of a different nature.
When a stereotypical bad golfer has problems with a lofted club, normally there is no trust in the club to do the job. So the golfer lifts/scoops the club making it very difficult to slide the club under the ball.

To stop this happening the normal and correct approach is to force the players hands to stay in front of the club head at impact. This should eliminate the scooping technique very quickly.

If a players overdoes this, and his hands are too far forward, the front edge of the club becomes extremely sharp. This forces the player to be very precise about the impact, between the club ball and ground. If the player hits the ground just behind the ball then club digs in like an axe, creating a poor contact.

Exaggerated technique

At the bottom of most lofted wedges is a slightly rounded sole, this area is called the bounce or flange. Held correctly this part or the club helps the club skid under the ball. With a slight downward blow and the hands very slightly in front of the club head, the bounce can skid the club under the ball if the player hits the ground just behind the ball.

So remember, make sure your set up is correct and not overdone.



Good set up