We recently published an article about the best clubs for getting up and down and the putter is, without a doubt, the most effective. Amateur golfers will get up and down more often with their putter than any other club. However, course conditions and lies play a significant role in shot selection. Sometimes, the wiser decision is to leave the putter in the bag. Here are four scenarios where chipping instead of putting is the better choice.
When the green slopes sharply toward or away from you
Before deciding about putting versus chipping, make sure you analyze the slope. If you have a severe downhill slope, the putt may pick up too much speed and be difficult to stop. If you’re putting uphill, the ball may lose speed too quickly, leaving you short of your target.
When there is slope to contend with, consider chipping.
The gradual release of a chip on the downslope or a higher-lofted chip carrying the upslope should give you more control and a better result.
When there is uneven terrain
When analyzing these greenside shots, first look at the slope and then move on to the terrain. If there is a depression in the ground or uneven turf between you and the putting surface, putting becomes unpredictable.
You’ll see times when the putt bounces or veers offline altogether, costing you a shot.
The chip shot lifts the ball over the trouble and gives it just a bit of speed to get it on its way to the hole. In these situations, a bump-and-run with an 8- or 9-iron can do the trick.
When there’s a lot of fringe or different grass types to go through
Grass has different textures and sometimes being just off the green means you’ll have several textures to putt through. This situation is too difficult to judge with the putter.
A controlled chip shot lands on the putting surface, reducing the variables between you and the hole. If you’re not confident in your chipping ability, try using a hybrid or even a fairway wood to hit a bump-and-run shot that easily navigates the different types of grass.
When the putt is just too long
Very few golfers can putt well from 50 or more feet away. Surfaces and putting strokes are inconsistent and multiple breaks or elevation changes may make it even more challenging.
A well-struck chip shot lands closer to the hole, removing some variables from the equation.
Practice your distance control with your chips so you are prepared for these shots that must travel across the green.
Final thoughts
While putting should be your go-to option when you have the right conditions, analyzing the slope and lie is an important part of this process. Knowing when to chip can save strokes.
James
1 year ago
I play a links course with a lot of tight lines and aggressive slopes and impressive year around greens, I cannot tell you how many times I have let ego get in the way of a good lag put so I can look cool with a chip and its backfired a LOT, when I know with the putter I can get it as close IF not closer as my good chip AND<< virtually guarantee the shot does not fail completely and gives me a guaranteed shot at holding the next putt. Meaning I have decent up and down potential and zero risk and worse case scenario is down and 3, which is kinda' what 12 capper should expect if they are not hitting GIR.
this might not work at a lot of other courses, BUT most courses will have fluffy grass off the greens and chipping will be easier so chipping then is not a problem. But I think more AMS need to do the old Texas wedge.