Nelly Korda, the world’s top-ranked female golfer, is renowned for her exceptional chipping skills. Follow these four techniques she employs to consistently chip it close:
– Set Up: Position Perfection for Precise Chipping
Posture and stance: Korda uses a narrow stance and stands close to the ball. This helps her create a consistent and stable base from which to swing.
Ball position: Korda positions the ball slightly ahead of her centre in her stance. This helps her create a descending blow on the ball, which promotes clean contact.
Grip: Korda uses a neutral grip on the club. This helps her maintain control throughout the swing and promotes a consistent and accurate release.
Weight distribution: Korda distributes her weight evenly between her feet. This helps her create a balanced and stable swing that promotes consistent contact.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bend your knees and place your feet shoulder-width apart. |
| 2 | Position the ball in the centre of your stance. |
| 3 | Use a neutral grip on the club. |
| 4 | Distribute your weight evenly between your feet. |
– Swing Dynamics: Generating Power and Control
Swing Dynamics: Generating Power and Control
- Step 1: Grip the club properly. This is essential for generating power and control. Make sure your hands are positioned correctly on the club and that your grip is firm enough to keep the club from slipping.
- Step 2: Swing the club back smoothly. Keep your eyes focused on the ball and swing the club back in a fluid motion. Don’t rush your swing, and make sure to keep your head down.
- Step 3: Hit the ball with a clean strike. This is what will send the ball flying towards the hole. Make sure to make contact with the ball in the center of the clubface, and follow through with your swing.
- Step 4: Follow through. This is essential for ensuring that you hit the ball with power and accuracy. Follow through with your swing, and keep your head down until after the ball has been hit.
- Shot Selection: Choosing the Ideal Club for Each Situation
Shot Selection: Choosing the Ideal Club for Each Situation
When it comes to chipping, choosing the right club is crucial for accurate approach shots. The loft, sole, and bounce of the club can significantly impact the trajectory, spin, and distance of your shot.
Consider the following factors when selecting a club:
Distance to the hole: The distance from your ball to the hole will determine the loft of the club you need. A higher loft will launch the ball higher, resulting in a shorter distance.
Lie: The type of lie (e.g., uphill, downhill, sidehill) can affect the amount of spin imparted to the ball. A club with more bounce can help minimize the effects of a difficult lie.
Green conditions: Soft greens will allow you to use a club with less loft, while firm greens may require a club with more loft to generate sufficient backspin.
Wind conditions: A strong wind can alter the trajectory of your shot. Consider a high-lofted club or a club with a sole designed to reduce drag.
Here’s a general guide to club selection for different situations:
| Distance | Lie | Green Conditions | Club |
|— |— |— |— |
| <10 yards | Fairway | Soft | Pitching wedge |
| <15 yards | Rough | Firm | Sand wedge |
>20 yards | Uphill | Slow | Lob wedge |
| <25 yards | Sidehill | Fast | Gap wedge |
– Practice Drills: Honing Your Chipping Technique
Shadow swing the chip:
Take an empty club and swing it beside your body, matching the arc and release path of your chipping swing. This will help you visualize the clubhead’s path and maintain a consistent rhythm.
Chip with the flagstick:
Place the flagstick 3-4 feet from the pin and practice chipping over it. This forces you to elevate the ball and hit it with a more precise touch, improving your control and accuracy.
Chip off different lies:
Practice chipping from various surfaces, including dense rough, bare lies, and uneven terrain. This will enhance your versatility and ability to manipulate the ball’s flight and trajectory.
Peel the Banana:
Slice the top half of an imaginary banana and hold the club parallel to the ground. Practice chipping with this clubhead position, which helps shallow the swing path and create a soft, controlled landing.
Nelly Korda’s exceptional chipping technique can be replicated by incorporating the four key moves outlined in this article. By mimicking her clubhead path, ball position, and follow-through, golfers of all skill levels can significantly enhance their chipping accuracy and proximity to the hole. Implementing these moves into practice routines and applying them on the course will undoubtedly lead to improved performance and lower scores.
