The #1 Chipping Mistake Most Amateurs Make (And How to Fix It)

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The #1 Chipping Mistake Most Amateurs Make (And How to Fix It)

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The #1 Chipping Mistake Most Amateurs Make (And How to Fix It)

Let’s be honest—chipping can either save your round or totally derail it. For most golfers, especially amateurs, it’s one of the trickiest parts of the game. And while there are lots of ways to go wrong, there’s one mistake that stands out above the rest. Fix it, and you’re already ahead of the pack.

The Big Mistake: Too Much Hands and Wrists

If your chips are hit-or-miss—some thin, some fat—it’s probably because you’re doing what a lot of golfers do: flipping at the ball with your wrists. It might feel like you’re trying to help the ball up, but in reality, this wristy motion just makes things messy.

Why We Do It

Usually, it comes down to nerves. You’re just off the green, trying to save par, and suddenly your brain wants to rush everything. That rushed feeling turns into fast hands and a breakdown in your technique. We’ve all been there—trying to “save” the shot with a last-second flick. It rarely works.

How to Chip Properly

The real key to solid chipping? Simplicity and control.

Start with your setup:

Narrow stance, ball just back of center.
Lean slightly onto your front foot.
Open your stance a little if that feels more natural.

Keep your hands ahead of the ball:
This promotes ball-first contact. It’s hard to chunk it when your hands lead the way.

Use your body, not just your hands:
Turn your chest through the shot. Let your arms follow. It’s more like a putting stroke with a bit more motion, not a hands-only chop.

Stay loose:
Tension is your enemy. Keep your grip light and relaxed, like you’re holding a tube of toothpaste you don’t want to squeeze.

Building Confidence Around the Greens

Here’s the thing: even if your technique is solid, your head can still get in the way. That little chip starts to feel like a big deal—and that’s when mistakes creep in.

So how do you stay confident?

Reps, reps, reps: You don’t need to spend hours. Just 15–20 minutes a couple times a week makes a big difference. Try different lies, slopes, distances.
Visualise success: Before you hit, picture the shot. See it land, bounce, and roll out. It calms the nerves and gives you a clear target.
Breathe and reset: Feel the pressure? Step back, take a deep breath, and reset. Rushed chips rarely end well.
Keep it simple: Don’t overanalyze. Trust your setup, make your motion, and let the shot go.

Dealing with Pressure

Everyone feels it—the pressure to get up and down. But pressure doesn’t have to mess up your chipping.

Here’s how to keep cool when it matters most:

Slow your tempo: Take a little more time. Breathe. Swing smooth. Don’t rush to “get it over with.”
Talk to yourself like a coach: Remind yourself of the times you’ve pulled it off. “You’ve done this before. Just chip it close.”
Don’t chase perfection: Some chips won’t be great—and that’s okay. The goal is to give yourself a makeable putt, not hole everyone.

Let’s Talk About the Bounce

This one’s a game-changer, especially for tight lies. Most golfers don’t fully understand how the bounce on their wedge works—and it shows.

Quick refresher: The bounce is the curved bottom part of the wedge that helps it glide through the turf instead of digging in.

If you keep chunking or blading chips, you might be fighting the bounce instead of using it.

Here’s what to do:

Don’t bury your hands: If your hands are way ahead and you lean the shaft too much, you’ll dig. Let the club do the work.
Use a shallow swing: No need to chop down on the ball. A smooth, shallow sweep lets the bounce skim the ground.
Open the face (when needed): If you’re in fluffy rough or soft turf, open the face a touch to activate more bounce. Just be sure to aim a bit left to adjust.
Test different wedges: Try out wedges with different bounce levels. What works on soft turf might not feel great on firm ground. Get a feel for what suits your course and style.

Want to Really Dial It In? Get a Lesson

Sometimes a little outside help goes a long way. A good coach can spot flaws in your motion you didn’t even know were there. They’ll help you with setup tweaks, proper body movement, and even the mental side of the game.

Even one or two sessions could completely change how you feel standing over a chip.

Wrapping It Up

If there’s one thing to take away here, it’s this: most bad chips come from trying to “help” the ball with your hands. Trust your setup, keep the motion smooth, and let your body do the work. Combine that with practice and a calm mind, and you’ll see real progress—maybe even fewer three-putts and a few more up-and-downs. Not a bad trade-off, right?

Golf is a game of skill, strategy, and precision. For players of different abilities, competing fairly can be a challenge without a standardized system. That’s where the golf handicap comes in, ensuring a level playing field for all golfers, from beginners to professionals. In this guide, we’ll dive into why having a handicap is beneficial and answer essential questions like what should my handicap be, how long does it take to get a handicap, and more.

What is a Golf Handicap?

A golf handicap is a numerical measure that represents a golfer’s potential skill level. It helps players of different abilities compete fairly, by adjusting the number of strokes a golfer is allowed to take. In essence, the lower the handicap, the better the player.

For example, if Golfer A has a handicap of 5 and Golfer B has a handicap of 15, Golfer B will receive additional strokes to even out the competition, making it fair for both players.

Encourages Goal-Setting and Personal Challenges

For many golfers, lowering their handicap is a key goal. This system encourages players to focus on improving specific areas of their game and set personal goals. As you see your handicap drop, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that drives you to keep practising and improving your skills.

Facilitates Tournament Participation

Many tournaments require participants to have an official handicap. Without one, you might miss out on a wide range of opportunities to compete in organised events at local clubs, amateur competitions, or even larger tournaments. Having a handicap ensures you’re eligible for these events and that you can compete fairly.

Supports Strategic Course Management

Knowing your handicap also allows you to make smarter decisions on the course. Players with higher handicaps might focus on playing conservatively, while lower handicap golfers can take more risks. By integrating your handicap into your strategy, you’ll improve your overall performance and learn to manage the course more effectively.

What Should My Handicap Be?

One of the most common questions new golfers ask is, what should my handicap be? For beginners, it’s typical to start with a high handicap, such as 20-36 for men or 20-40 for women. As you gain experience and improve, your handicap will decrease.

For an average golfer, handicaps usually range between 10-20. Experienced players often have handicaps under 10, and professionals typically play with a handicap close to zero or even in the “plus” range. The goal is to keep improving your game and lowering your handicap over time.

What Are Professional’s Handicaps?

How Long Does It Take to Get a Handicap?

A common query from new players is, how long does it take to get a handicap? Getting an official handicap typically requires submitting scores from 3 to 5 rounds of golf. These scores are used to calculate your handicap based on your performance and the difficulty of the courses you’ve played.

Once you’ve established a handicap, it will be updated as you play more rounds and submit additional scores. It’s essential to keep tracking your scores regularly to maintain an accurate handicap.

At The Golf Collective to establish a handicap, you’ll need to complete 54 holes. You can achieve this by playing three 18-hole rounds, six 9-hole rounds, or a combination of both. Ensure your scores are verified by a playing partner and submitted according to our straightforward guidelines. Be sure to keep your scorecard for each round.

How The Golf Collective Can Benefit You

You can submit all of the rounds you play, not just at your ‘home course’. You can play at any course recognized for handicapping, and your scores will still be valid. Our system allows you to enjoy golf wherever you choose while ensuring your handicap stays accurate and up to date.

Unlike clubs that rely on manual scorecards, our mobile scoring system offers a convenient, paperless solution for submitting your scores. This allows for quicker handicap updates and provides a more streamlined, modern golfing experience.

At The Golf Collective, you can enjoy a social round anytime, anywhere, and still have it count toward your handicap. Our flexible system lets you play on your schedule while keeping your handicap accurate and up to date.