Chipping drills to lower your scores
Around-the-green shots are roughly 15 to 20% of an amateur's strokes per round, but most golfers spend less than 10% of practice time on them. The four drills below close that gap. Each has a measurable success criterion you can log session over session.
Why chipping practice usually doesn't transfer
Most golfers chip with one club, to one target, until something feels good, then move on. That's block practice with no measurement. The result: chipping that works at the practice green and falls apart on Saturday when the ball is sitting on tight Bermuda with the pin 20 feet over a bunker.
1. Chipping Zone Challenge
Goal: proximity. Land the ball where you intended.
Pick a target on the green (e.g. a towel or another ball). Hit 5 to 7 chips with your wedge. Switch to a less-lofted iron (8i or 9i). Hit 5 to 7 more chips to the same target. Note how each club rolls out.
Success criterion: 3 of 5 inside a 6-foot radius with each club.
2. One-Club Chip-Off
Goal: creativity and shot variety.
Pick one club (e.g. PW). Find three different lies (uphill, downhill, awkward stance). Hit 3 chips from each, picking your own line and target. Force yourself to invent the shot.
Success criterion: 5 of 9 inside a 10-foot radius. The bigger circle rewards you for committing to a creative shot.
3. Trajectory Ladder
Goal: control of low, mid, and high chips.
Pick a target. Hit 3 low chips (ball back, deloft), 3 mid chips (ball middle), 3 high chips (ball forward, open face). Each should land in a different distance band.
Success criterion: 6 of 9 land in the intended trajectory band.
4. Up-and-Down Game
Goal: scoring under simulated pressure.
Drop a ball in 5 different lies around the green. From each lie, chip and putt. Count how many you get up and down (in 2 strokes). Track your total over multiple sessions.
Success criterion: 3 of 5 up-and-downs for mid handicappers, 4 of 5 for low handicappers.
Sample 20-minute chipping plan
- 0:00 to 5:00. Warm-up: 10 chips with one club, no target.
- 5:00 to 12:00. Chipping Zone Challenge (PW + 8i, 12 chips).
- 12:00 to 18:00. Trajectory Ladder (9 chips).
- 18:00 to 20:00. Up-and-Down Game finisher (3 lies).
Common mistakes
- Always chipping to the closest pin. No variability, no transfer.
- Using only one club. Real rounds demand multiple trajectories.
- No target. Without a landing spot, you're not chipping, you're just chunking shots toward the green.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best chipping drills?
The most effective chipping drills measure proximity to a target, not just contact quality. Top drills include the Chipping Zone Challenge (proximity), the One-Club Chip-Off (creativity), the Trajectory Ladder (low/mid/high control), and the Up-and-Down Game (scoring under pressure).
What club should I use for chipping practice?
Practice with at least two clubs (e.g. PW and 8i). Different clubs roll out differently, and amateurs leak strokes by defaulting to one club for every chip. Trajectory variability is the goal.
How long should I chip practice?
10 to 20 minutes per session, 2 or 3 sessions per week. Around-the-green shots account for ~15 to 20% of strokes for amateurs but typically less than 10% of practice time. Re-balancing this is one of the highest-leverage moves you can make.
Should I practice chipping in my backyard?
Yes. Chipping mat plus a target is enough to work on contact and short-game tempo. The 'how to practice golf at home' guide covers indoor chip stations.