There are all kinds of theories about how to hit the perfect chip shot and it’s one of those specialty shots that all serious golfers know can affect their handicaps for the better or worse. Some advocate the stiff-wristed technique while other pros think the more wristy method is best. However, more moderate golf minds say that playing the shot as a simple golf swing is the best ways to go about it.

Your stance, which narrows further from the driver to the short irons, will always narrow further for the pitch and chip, and also opens up on the short term shots to the point where on the chip shot your heel should be no more than six to eight inches apart. You should also be aligned about 20 degrees to the left of your target. The experts suggest here that the ball position remain in the same position as with all the other shots, somewhere off the left heel to the instep for most people.

From this compact stance, it’s suggested by some of the pros that you just need to take a compact swing at the ball here. Make sure as well that your wrist action is neither forced nor restricted. It should be as natural as in a full swing and the result of swinging back on the arms. One of the hardest parts of the short game is adjusting the distance of these pitch shots.

Some instructors and professionals advocate varying the force of the swing while others feel its best to vary the length of the swing. They say that it’s beneficial to shorten the back swing as the length of the pitch decreases. Further, it’s also suggested that as you get closer to the green you should grip down on the club. This enables for a more aggressive forced swing which maintains a firm and confident attack on the ball.

When you get to within thirty yards or so, the important thing is to switch from a pitching wedge to a sand wedge but still maintain the same technique used for longer pitches. As well, all of the experts agree on another matter, and that is acceleration through impact is vital to the short game as it is with longer irons and woods. All these factors need to be considered to impact on you handicap.