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How to Use a Golf Chipper Like a Putter (Simple Guide)
Struggling with those tricky shots just off the green, caught between a putter that can’t handle the fringe and a wedge that feels too risky? You’re not alone. Many golfers find that these short-range situations can add unnecessary strokes to their score, creating frustration where there should be an opportunity.
To effectively use a golf chipper, you must adopt your standard putting stance and grip, then execute a simple, pendulum-like swing with your arms and shoulders while keeping your wrists completely stable. This technique transforms a potentially complex chip shot into a straightforward, low-risk putt.
This guide, built on a thorough analysis of established golfing techniques and data, eliminates the guesswork. We will break down exactly how to use a golf chipper, when it becomes your most valuable tool, and why this simple club can be a game-changer for your short game. Get ready to turn those dreaded greenside lies into simple tap-ins.
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What is a Golf Chipper? The Short Game “Cheat Code” Explained
A golf chipper is a hybrid club with the loft of a 7-iron and the design of a putter, made for simple, low-risk “bump and run” shots around the green. Struggling with those tricky shots just off the green? The chipper might be the simple solution you’re looking for. Instead of the high-risk, high-skill technique required for a wedge, the chipper is designed to be used with a simple putting stroke, making it one of the most player-friendly clubs you can carry.
It is a specialized club that brilliantly combines the most helpful characteristics of both a putter and a mid-iron. The core purpose of this club is to take the complexity out of chipping. It’s built to cut through light rough more easily than a putter and produce a low-flying shot that gets onto the green and rolls toward the hole with consistency.
Here are the key characteristics that define a golf chipper:
- Loft: A golf chipper typically has a loft between 30 and 37 degrees. This is very similar to the loft of a 7-iron, which is perfect for getting the ball slightly airborne to clear the fringe or rough before it starts rolling like a putt.
- Shaft: The shaft of a chipper is shorter, usually the length of a putter. This encourages you to stand closer to the ball and use a more controlled, pendulum-like putting motion rather than a full golf swing.
- Design: The clubhead often features a wider sole and weight distribution similar to a putter, which helps it glide through the grass without digging in and prevents mishits like skulls or chunks that are common with wedges.
Step 1: Adopt a Putter-Like Grip and Stance for Maximum Control
Set up for a chipper shot exactly like a putt: stand close to the ball with weight forward and use your standard putting grip. The entire secret to learning how to use a golf chipper effectively is to treat it not as a wedge, but as an extension of your putter. This mental shift starts with your setup, which should almost perfectly mirror how you stand over a five-foot putt.
This setup is crucial because it promotes a slight downward angle of attack on the ball. By positioning your hands ahead of the clubhead and your weight forward, you ensure a crisp, clean strike that gets the ball rolling true.
- The Grip: Hold the chipper with your normal putting grip. Whether you use a reverse overlap, cross-handed, or claw grip for your putter, apply the same hold here. The key is a relaxed grip pressure in your hands. A death grip creates tension and encourages unwanted wrist movement.
- Pro Tip: A slightly firmer grip than your normal putt can help keep your wrists stable throughout the stroke, which is the secret to consistency.
- The Stance: Assume your standard putting stance. Stand relatively close to the ball with your feet spread comfortably apart, about shoulder-width. Your eyes should be directly over the ball, just as they would be for a putt. The most critical element is to favor your front foot.
- Place about 60-70% of your weight on your front foot (your left foot for a right-handed golfer).
- Position your hands slightly ahead of the clubhead, toward the target.
Step 2: Execute a Simple Pendulum Swing (No Wrists!)
Swing the chipper using a simple pendulum motion from your shoulders, keeping your arms and wrists straight, just like a putting stroke. The power and consistency of a shot with a golf chipper come from eliminating moving parts. The most common mistake golfers make is trying to “help” the ball into the air by flicking their wrists. With a chipper, you must trust the club’s built-in loft to do that work for you.
Your goal is to create a smooth, rhythmic motion that is easily repeatable under pressure. The swing is not generated by your hands or wrists; it is driven entirely by the rocking of your shoulders and the movement of your arms as a single unit.
The swing… should be a short, pendulum-like motion, primarily driven by your shoulders and arms, with minimal wrist movement.
- Backswing: Keeping your arms and wrists straight, rock your shoulders to swing the club back. The length of the backswing dictates the distance of the shot. For most greenside chips, a short backswing of only two to four feet is all that is required.
- Downswing and Impact: Let the club swing forward smoothly through the ball, accelerating gently toward the target. Maintain the triangle formed by your arms and shoulders. The goal is a controlled motion that creates a consistent, low-trajectory shot that lands softly and rolls smoothly towards your target.
- Quick Fact: Strike the ball slightly softer than a putt from the same distance. The club’s loft does the work of getting the ball airborne!
When to Use a Golf Chipper: Your Go-To Club in These 5 Situations
Use a chipper for low, running “bump and run” shots where you have to carry a small patch of fringe or rough and want the ball to roll like a putt on the green. Knowing how to use a golf chipper is only half the battle; knowing when to use it is what saves strokes. This club is not a replacement for your wedges in all situations. It is a specialist tool designed for specific scenarios where a low-risk, high-percentage shot is the smartest play.
Think about your last round. How many of these situations came up where a chipper could have saved you a stroke? By analyzing the lie, the distance to the pin, and the amount of green you have to work with, you can confidently choose the chipper for the highest-percentage shot.
Here is a simple decision-making framework for when to pull the chipper from your bag:
| Situation | Recommended Loft | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Fringe Shots | 34-35 degrees | Perfect for a controlled, low-flying shot that hops over the taller grass and immediately starts rolling like a putt. |
| Bunker Edges | 32-34 degrees | When you’re just outside a bunker with a clean lie, a low-loft chipper helps you escape the sand’s edge safely. |
| Tight Lies | 34-35 degrees | On lies with minimal grass, a wedge can easily lead to a thin shot. The chipper’s design prevents this and ensures better control. |
| Elevated Greens | 36-37 degrees | A higher-loft chipper can generate a bit more height and spin to help the ball stop more quickly on an uphill green. |
| Narrow Fairway Approaches | 34-37 degrees | For short approaches to tight pins, the chipper offers putting-like precision and predictable rollout. |
To master these shots, equipping yourself with a reliable and well-designed chipper is the first step toward building confidence around the greens.
FAQs About Using a Golf Chipper
Still have a few questions? That’s perfectly normal. Because the golf chipper is a unique club, it often brings up some common points of curiosity for golfers learning how to use a golf chipper for the first time. Here are direct answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Are golf chippers easy to use?
✅ Yes, chippers are very easy to use because they utilize a simple putting stroke, removing the complexity and risk of a wedge shot for many golfers. They are designed to be player-friendly, especially for beginners or those who struggle with chipping consistency. By leveraging a motion nearly every golfer is already comfortable with—the putting stroke—it dramatically shortens the learning curve.
Why don’t pro golfers use chippers?
✅ Pros don’t use chippers because they can create the same shot with a wedge, and a wedge offers more versatility for other types of shots, which is crucial under the 14-club limit. Professional golfers have spent countless hours mastering techniques with various wedges to control trajectory, spin, and distance. A chipper is a specialized club for one type of shot, while a wedge can be used for flops, pitches, and bunker shots, making it a more valuable use of a spot in their bag.
Are golf chippers legal for tournament play?
✅ Yes, golf chippers are legal in tournaments, provided they meet the standard USGA rules for club design. As long as the club conforms to the regulations regarding length, clubhead design, and grip, it is perfectly acceptable for use in any official tournament or handicap round. The vast majority of commercially available chippers are designed to be conforming.
Final Thoughts: Simplify Your Short Game with a Chipper
Learning how to use a golf chipper is one of the fastest ways to build confidence and lower your scores around the green. By embracing its simplicity and treating it like a putter, you remove the mental and technical hurdles that often come with traditional chipping. It’s a tool designed to produce a consistent, reliable result with a motion you already know well.
Remember the foundational principles, and you’ll find success quickly. It all comes down to a few critical takeaways:
- Think Putter, Not Wedge: From your grip and stance to the swing itself, your entire approach should mirror a simple putt.
- Keep Wrists Quiet: The engine of the chipper swing is your shoulders and arms moving as one unit. Stable wrists are non-negotiable for consistency.
- Use It in the Right Situations: The chipper excels at low-running “bump and run” shots from the fringe or over small patches of rough. Knowing when to deploy it is key.
The next time you’re at the practice green, take a few minutes to try this putting-style stroke with a chipper. You might be surprised how quickly it becomes a trusted club in your bag, turning those once-dreaded shots into simple opportunities to get up and down.
Last update on 2025-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
