{"id":502415,"date":"2022-06-19T10:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-19T14:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/?p=502415"},"modified":"2023-09-05T04:00:49","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T08:00:49","slug":"should-i-choke-down-when-chipping-in-golf-controlling-the-golf-ball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golfcartgo.com\/should-i-choke-down-when-chipping-in-golf-controlling-the-golf-ball\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Choke Down When Chipping in Golf? (Controlling the Golf Ball)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Many golfers, including myself, can play well enough to record good scores until they get close to the green and everything goes sideways\u2013both figuratively and literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chipping is a maddening part of the game, mainly because it seems so simple. Players who master chipping make tremendous leaps in their scores and handicaps. That said, there are tons of conflicting advice about chipping. For example, should I choke down when chipping<\/a>?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a general rule, choking down when chipping will give you more control of the speed and force as you strike the ball. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One popular piece of counsel is to choke down or grasp the club lower toward the bottom of the grip. Is this actually a good practice? I did some research, and this is what I found.<\/p>\n\n\n Greg Norman, winner of 20 PGA Tour events, is one of the many proponents of getting the hands closer to the ball when attempting a chip shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now it’s also possible for you to experience choking, especially when you’re both eating and playing golf at the same time. However, it’s a whole different term when you’re only playing gold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chocking on gold means holding your gold club farther than what are you expected to do. Here’s how you’ll know you’re not choking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He\u00a0cites<\/a>\u00a0similar reasons to others on his side of the debate, stating that choking down improves your feel for the shot, and that it cuts down on the swing’s arc and consequently shortens the shot to minimize the margin for error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The comparison is made between hitting a 7-iron and a driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A poorly driven ball can end up slicing dozens of yards away from the target, while a bad shot with the shorter 7-iron won’t produce such a drastic result. Choking down makes the club shorter and more controllable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every golf club offers the same grip. Read more here Should All Golf Clubs Have the Same Grip? (Unleash)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s also the discussion about accelerating vs. decelerating when chipping the ball. Some coaches teach that decelerating through the swing is the culprit for chunking a chip shot and sending it rocketing through the green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is common, as many golfers naturally decelerate around the green because they are trying to hit the ball softer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choking down essentially allows a golfer to accelerate through the chip while deadening the result. The combination leads to good contact and soft landings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opponents of choking down when chipping point to shortening the club leads to lower trajectories. They say that lower trajectories are\u00a0detrimental<\/a>\u00a0to chipping since they decrease the chances of the ball landing softly on the target area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They also claim that faster swings from a shortened club lead to more potential problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Norman concedes that golfers should do what they feel comfortable doing. As with all aspects of golf, the key is figuring out what works and learning how to repeat it consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also depends on the type of player you are. I am typically an ‘iron player,’ so I feel more comfortable with irons than I do with my woods. In fact, I don’t carry much wood at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But since I am so comfortable with irons, I am very familiar with the basic stroke size I need to get the ball to do what I want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I know the ball position, foot placement, the type of spin I will get based on the club, etc…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Someone who is a more skilled player than I am has more options. I am just a lowly guy who likes to play and have fun with friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n How far you choke down on the golf club depends on how far away from the hole you are. As mentioned, gripping the club further down reduces distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the closest chips, the golfer can put their hands down to where the end of the grip meets the metal shaft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When practicing chipping, golfers should move their hands down an inch at a time and see how their shots are affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond choking down on the golf club, another common recommendation is narrowing the stance drastically and opening up a bit to not be totally perpendicular to the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When applying these fixes to the grip and stance, some rudimentary drills can be practiced exhaustively at home. As opposed to other golf shots, chipping doesn’t require much space.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is Choking Down in Golf?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Should I Choke Down When Chipping?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the Problem Against Choking Down?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Far Can You Choke Down on a Golf Club?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Else Can I Improve My Chipping Grip and Stance at Home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n