The fastest way to lower your golf scores isn’t a massive change to your driver swing; it’s mastering the short game. While practicing hours of technique can help, often the real difference lies in a simple, precise pre-shot routine that prepares you mentally and physically for the shot at hand.
Our featured video, “Before Chipping Onto The Green Do This For 5 Seconds”, reveals one tiny, yet crucial, adjustment that many top pros use. This simple 5-second tip will drastically reduce your errors—like the dreaded chunked or thinned chip—and help you hit those crisp, clean short shots that check up next to the pin.
The Problem: Tension and Deceleration
When chipping, amateurs often make two critical mistakes:
- Too Much Tension: Gripping the club too tightly restricts the natural flow of the swing and leads to jerky, inconsistent movements.
- Deceleration: Fear of hitting the ball too far causes the golfer to slow down through impact, leading to a manipulative “flip” or a heavy, chunked shot.
These errors stem from a lack of focus and preparation in the moments right before the swing.
The 5-Second Solution: It’s Like Cheating!
The secret is a quick, silent, and highly effective routine that takes just five seconds: The Pre-Shot Visual and Tension Release.
1. Visualize the Outcome (2 Seconds)
Step behind the ball and quickly trace the path the ball will take: the landing spot, the roll, and the final stop.
- The Benefit: This clearly defines the necessary speed and loft, giving your subconscious mind a target to execute. It’s the ultimate confidence boost.
2. The Wiggle-Waggle Grip Check (3 Seconds)
Before taking your final stance, lightly shuffle your feet and gently loosen and re-grip your fingers on the handle of the club.
- The Benefit: This is the most crucial part! It forces you to check that your grip is light and relaxed. A soft grip on a chip shot allows the clubhead to release naturally without tension, ensuring the hands lead the clubface through impact for a crisp strike.
The combined focus on visualization and tension release eliminates the fear and mechanical tightness that ruin most amateur chip shots. It’s like getting a cheat code for a better strike.
Beyond the Tip: Fundamentals of Good Chipping
While the 5-second drill provides an instant fix, always remember the core fundamentals of a great chip:
- Weight Forward: Maintain most of your weight on your lead foot (around 60-70%). This keeps the low point of the swing arc ahead of the ball.
- Ball Position: Play the ball slightly back in your stance.
- Hinge/Hold: Keep the wrist action minimal (or “hold” the angle) during the small swing to promote solid contact.
Ready to start sticking your chips close to the hole? Check on YouTube