Things to Know Before Buying a Golf Chipper

To chip or not to chip, that is the question all golfers must answer sooner or later. The chipper is one of the most loved and hated clubs in golf and for good reason.

Chippers are easy clubs to master and are great for making approach shots, but they are not very accurate because they provide little in the way of spin control. If you want to shave strokes off your handicap and are looking for a club that can get you out of a tough lie and reliably put your ball on the green, you should give a golf chipper a try. However, if you are a scratch or close to scratch golfer and prefer clubs that offer finesse and control, a chipper may not be the best choice. Beginners and intermediate players love chippers, but many of the pros hate them.

Don’t need to know more? Skip straight to our Chippers Reviewed article to find which chipper may be best for you to purchase in 2024.

Who Needs a Golf Chipper?

Golfers who use chippers love them because they help them to get out of tough spots. Chippers are great for approaching shots close to the green, and they are ideal for taking shots from tight lies because they are so easy to swing. Chippers have higher loft angles than irons to get the ball up in the air and onto the green, and their wider soles make them easy to master.

You probably won’t find any pros using a chipper when watching your favourite golf tournament, but that is not because the clubs are banned. The USGA classifies chippers as irons rather than putters, and they are permitted in tournament play as long as they do not have putter grips, appendages for aiming, or two striking faces.

Pros tend to avoid chippers because they do not allow them to control the spin on their shots. They also have enough skill to get the results they want with an iron.

Why Should You Use Golf Chippers?

You should use a chipper if you play golf for fun and want to shave a few strokes off your handicap. You will pull a chipper out of your bag when your ball is close to the green but not actually on it. In these situations, an iron would be too powerful and a putter not powerful enough. Chippers are also a good choice for making shots from tight angles or from under trees when a more compact swing is needed.

A chipper will get your ball up into the air quickly, but it will put almost no backspin on it. This is why most players reserve these clubs for approach shots of 30 yards or less. If you find these shots difficult, adding a chipper to your club selection could be a real game-changer. While chippers may not provide the delicate control that the pros crave, their short shafts and wide soles make them very easy to use. This means that most golfers find that chippers increase their short-range accuracy after only a little practice. This utility club might just be the key to making more pars.

How to Use a Golf Chipper

To get the best results when using a chipper, you should keep your weight toward your front foot on your downstroke. You should also try to make sure that your hands stay ahead of the ball when you make contact. Doing this will get the ball up into the air and prevent it from rolling on the ground.

Your goal when using a chipper is to get as much loft on the ball as possible, so make sure that you strike down through the ball. You will use your chipper most often when your approach shots have left you close to green, but these clubs are also great for getting out of the rough.

Chippers have a similar loft angle to 7-irons, but they have shorter shafts and much heavier heads. This makes them great for chopping through thick grass. Some experts say that a follow-through is important with chip shots, but others say these clubs should not be taken past parallel. Try both approaches to see what works best for you.

What to Consider Before Buying a Golf Chipper

If you decide to buy a chipper, you will soon learn that there are dozens of styles and models to choose from. There are jumbo chippers and lightweight chippers, and there are even two-sided chippers (not tournament legal) that can be swung from the left or right.

To help you narrow down your choices and pick a club that is right for you, here are some things that might want to consider:

• Quality: You will want your chipper to stand the test of time, so choose a club made out of quality materials by a respected manufacturer.
• Cost: Have a good look around. The price of chippers ranges significantly.
• Loft angle: The loft angle determines how high your ball will fly. Clubs with higher loft angles shoot further, but they are less accurate. Look for a chipper with a loft angle of between 30 and 35 degrees.
• Head shape: Chippers with blade-style heads are best for approach shots from the tight and firm fairways, and chippers with heavier mallet-style heads are better for swinging through thick grass. The kind of courses you play will determine which kind of chipper you should buy.
• Lie angle: Chippers with flat lies make solid contact with the ball, which is why most golfers prefer them. A chipper with an upright lie will allow you to hit the ball with more power, but it won’t give you much control over your shot.

Conclusion

When you play golf, you want to get the ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible, while having as much fun as you can. A chipper could help you to accomplish both of these goals. Chippers fill the middle ground between irons and putters, and they make some of golf’s most challenging shots just a little bit easier. A chipper won’t get you into the PGA tour, but it could take a stroke or two off your handicap.

Interested to read more? Why not check out this article:

I use the Ping ChipR, you can read my full review HERE. Don’t rush out and buy one though. I would advise going to your local professional and asking if you can have a try with one before committing. You’ll likely either love it or hate it!

Bye for now!

Last Updated on 21/08/2024 by StripeyGreenTV