Chipping practice aids are handy for judging the distance you chip or how far the ball rolls out following a chip. I’ve put together some target options for chipping on the practice green or in the house that work for me.
I’ll start out with warm weather chipping practice options and then go to options for the winter months.
Most people lose shots to par in their short game. That is by not practicing their short game or not becoming proficient at it.
I want to be good enough with these shots to 1 putt if possible or at worst 2 putt.
Chipping ladder drills – clubs
If you are trying to judge the distance you are hitting your chip shots, ladder drills are they way to go.
The first image shows golf clubs being used as a ladder. In this setup, I walked off 5 foot increments between clubs. That’s actually pretty far apart and I would suggest closing the gap over time.
What I like about this option is that everyone has clubs. What I don’t like is… using my clubs as targets and laying them on the green. That’s just me being picky.
Chipping ladder drills – alignment rods
Another option is to use alignment rods. I carry four in my bag all the time. I like this option better.
What you don’t get using clubs or alignment rods is the ability to judge roll out. I see this as strictly a ball flight and distance drill.
Again, I would close the gap between rods over time.
Example video (Note on video: I like coach AJ for other short game tips as well.)
Chipping ladder drills – target circles
I bought Eyeline Golf chipping targets or target circles. They come in 3 pack. They are well made.
I was very reluctant to buy these. They are not cheap. However, I will recommend them for a two reasons.
One is that you can chip to them.
Why are they a good target? I believe something the size of a basketball hoop is the correct sized target.
(Note: You may lose direction or spin landing on the plastic, but it’s not a deal breaker.)
Second, you can chip or putt to them as target circles. They are thin enough that the ball rolls over the plastic.
The other day I used them for landing circles and the holes on this green for gauging roll out.
Example video from Eyeline Golf
Indoor options
The first image is of a chipping station I bought for practice during the winter months. It come’s with the turf, target enclosure and foam practice balls.
It could be used outside as well. They say you can hit real golf balls into it.
You might want something larger like a bigger net to chip into outside.
I like the turf and use it with Callaway Foam Practice Golf Balls. Give yourself plenty of room away from structures even with foam golf balls. (Example: I can hit foam ball across the road with a 7 iron)
FYI – I never really aim at the house!!!
Another outside option is a hoop. I like this better for short chip shots at home. It’s easy to store as well.
FYI – I never really aim at the house!!!
One example I don’t have a photo for is chipping to a pillow or a laundry basket in the house.
Use foam balls if your going to do this!!! Example video
Note: I would not suggest using real golf balls inside. I have broken things doing so.
Review: Targets on the course
The real target should be… practice, be confident, know your course and make a plan before you start.
In addition, I believe a good short game for most amateurs is the easiest way to lower scores.
This article touches on chipping and pitching practice.
We’ve gone over “making a plan” in a previous article which refers to the mental side the game.
Our last article was on “golf scoring strategy” which discusses the best shot options given the situation you are in from tee to green.
Let’s go a step further and talk about specific targets that fit into strategy and the mental game. I’ll use my thought process and game as examples.
Off the Tee
There really are only a couple targets off the tee. One would be the fairway which is reasonably wide. The other target would be the green on a par 3 which is a pretty big target as well.
The strategy would be to land in the fairway or on the green. Mentally you need to be confident you can do that or come close.
The target would the location in the fairway that gives you the best approach shot. The green location would be the place where you have the best shot at making par or better.
Obviously, missing the fairway or green is always in play. Consider the best place to miss and still score well.
Avoiding hazards takes big numbers out of play.
Working on reasonably straight tee shots is a must.
Let’s put the value or score of 1 stroke on the tee shot.
Approach shots
There could be two golf targets on approach shots. It’s either going to be a lay up at a distance you can score well from or on the green in the proper location.
Again, this should be 1 stroke. It’s one stroke whether you land on the green or miss just off the green.
It’s on a fall line toward the water
The target would be middle or front middle
This leaves an uphill putt as well
Confidence comes from practice. The mental side of things become automatic if you hit lots of shots from 100 yards and in.
When I was playing well, I would take a large bag of shag balls and practice wedges and then more wedges.
It got to the point where I could drop the ball pretty close to the hole regularly.
The strategy so far should be fairly simple. The first couple shots on each hole are all about “fairways and greens.”
Chip / Pitch Shots
Scoring success or failure in my mind starts here.
The image below is a par 3 hole. I’ve missed the green to the left. Fortunately, in the short grass.
I’m there in one shot. For my game, I want to take making 5 out of play. Pitching it close would give me a chance at making a 3 or at worst a 4.
Again, confidence comes from practice.
There is a bunker on the left, several 6 foot deep bunkers on the right and there is a 10 foot slope if you go over the back.
The pin is tucked close to the front right side in a flatter spot up top.
I’m looking at a 4 plus degree slope in front of me.
The options in my mind are to run the ball up the center of the green or hit a higher pitch up to the flatter top part of the green.
The safer shot is probably running the ball up the middle of the green.
Hopefully, this results one chip / pitch and one or two putts.
The target is back half middle
It’s flatter back there leaving a good putt
Chipping, Sand Shot, Putting
Let’s take a look at a dandy situation. It’s an island green that is championship caliber.
This is a green map that I look at a lot. Targeting here has to start on the tee shot.
Learning the breaks and seeing all the breaks on this green are a must.
It’s normal to be on the green in one stroke.
Having said that a sand shot, chip or pitch plus 3 putts are always in play.
My target unless I feel frisky is the front or front middle of the green. That leaves an uphill putt.
There are some serious breaks on this hole. You need to be prepared to make a 5 or 6 footer if you putt by the hole.
There is only one relatively flat spot on the hole green and it’s a big green.
I feel pretty good walking off with a par here.
