Types of Chip Shots

Here’s a breakdown of the main types of golf chip shots, used to control trajectory, spin, and roll near the green:

1. Basic Chip Shot

• Purpose: A low shot with minimal airtime and maximum roll.

• When to Use: Just off the green with plenty of green to work with.

• Club: Usually a 7–9 iron or pitching wedge.

2. Bump and Run

• Purpose: A low, running shot that travels just over the fringe and rolls out like a putt.

• When to Use: On firm turf with a clean path to the hole.

• Club: Typically a 7 or 8 iron.

3. Lob Chip

• Purpose: A high, soft-landing shot with minimal roll.

• When to Use: To carry a hazard or land softly on a tight pin.

• Club: Lob wedge or sand wedge (58°–64°).

4. Flop Shot

• Purpose: An exaggerated high chip with almost no roll.

• When to Use: When you have to get the ball up quickly over an obstacle near the green.

• Club: Lob wedge, with an open clubface and steep swing.

5. Toe-Down Chip

• Purpose: Limits wrist action for more control, often used in tricky lies.

• When to Use: Out of thicker rough or tight lies.

• Club: Any wedge or short iron; grip the club like a putter.

6. Putting Chip (Hybrid or Putter Chip)

• Purpose: A low-speed, rolling shot using a putting stroke.

• When to Use: Very close to the green with minimal grass between you and the hole.

• Club: Hybrid, fairway wood, or putter.

7. One-Hop and Stop

• Purpose: Lands once and checks up quickly.

• When to Use: On firm greens when you need the ball to stop fast.

• Club: High-lofted wedge with spin.