Drills to Stop Chunking and Thinning Chips: Master Your Short Game

Is there anything more frustrating than a chunked chip shot that travels only a few feet, or a bladed chip that sails clear over the green? These two gremlins of the short game, the dreaded chunk and the terrifying thin, plague golfers of all skill levels. But don't despair! The good news is that both are often caused by a few fundamental flaws in technique that can be corrected with targeted drills. Let's dive into practical drills to stop chunking and thinning chips, transforming those frustrating moments into opportunities for confident, controlled shots.

Understanding the Chunk and the Thin

Before we arm ourselves with drills, let's diagnose the problem. What exactly causes these unwanted outcomes?

The Chunk: A Deep Dive

A chunked chip occurs when the clubhead strikes the ground before the ball. This results in a heavy, decelerated impact, robbing the shot of distance and accuracy. Common causes include:

• Hanging Back: Weight remains on the back foot through impact.
• Early Extension: Straightening the legs prematurely, lifting the torso, and moving the low point of the swing behind the ball.
• Scooping: Actively trying to lift the ball into the air with the hands and wrists.

The Thin: A Close Look

A thin chip happens when the leading edge of the club strikes the ball around its equator. The result is a low, fast shot with minimal spin that often flies too far. Culprits frequently include:

• Leaning Forward: Weight too far on the front foot, causing the club to bottom out too early.
• Reaching: Standing too far from the ball, causing the golfer to reach and change the swing plane.
• Wrist Hinge Breakdown: Losing wrist angle (extension) through impact, causing the club to lift.

Drills to Eliminate Chunking

These drills focus on shifting your weight correctly, maintaining your spine angle, and promoting a descending blow.

1. The Alignment Stick Drill

This simple drill helps prevent hanging back and encourages a proper weight shift.

1. Place an alignment stick on the ground, parallel to your target line.
2. Set up to the ball with your feet slightly narrower than normal.
3. Make chip shots, focusing on finishing your swing with your belt buckle pointing towards the target and your weight primarily on your lead foot.
4. Key Focus: Feel your weight transfer to your front foot as you swing.

2. The Towel Under the Heel Drill

This drill helps you stop ‘early extending' and teaches you to maintain your spine angle.

1. Place a small rolled-up towel or golf ball under the heel of your trail foot.
2. Set up to the ball as normal.
3. As you chip, focus on maintaining your balance and keeping the towel or ball under your heel. If you early extend, you will feel yourself lose balance and the object will fall.
4. Key Focus: Maintain your spine angle throughout the swing, avoiding standing up.

3. The Lead Arm Only Drill

This drill promotes a solid, descending blow and discourages scooping.

1. Grip the club with only your lead hand.
2. Make chip shots, focusing on leading with your chest and maintaining a firm wrist.
3. Key Focus: Feel the clubhead strike down and through the ball.

Drills to Banish Thin Shots

These drills will help you optimize your setup, and maintain your wrist hinge.

1. The Ball Position Drill

This drill ensures that the ball is in the correct position for consistent contact.

1. Set up to the ball with your feet close together
2. Position the ball slightly back of the center of your stance. For a middle iron, this may only be a ball-width back of centre. For a wedge, this may be directly in the center
3. Ensure a slight forward shaft lean.
4. Make chip shots, focusing on striking the ball first.
5. Key Focus: Experiment with ball position to find the sweet spot for clean contact/ ball first contact

2. The Checkpoint Drill

This drill helps maintain your wrist hinge throughout the swing, preventing the club from lifting. Practice this drill in slow motion.

1. Set up to the ball with a slight forward lean.
2. Take the club back to waist height, maintaining the wrist angle (hinge) you had at address.
3. Swing through to waist height on the follow-through, maintaining that same wrist angle.
4. Key Focus: Feel the clubhead tracing a consistent arc, powered by your core and shoulders, not your wrists.

3. The Stance Width Drill

This drill helps you find the right distance from the ball and promotes balance.

1. Start with your feet too close together. You should feel cramped at address
2. Begin to widen your stance slowly until you feel balanced, athletic and able to swing freely
3. Make chip shots, focusing on maintaining your balance throughout the swing.
4. Key Focus: Avoid reaching for the ball or feeling cramped.

Advanced Drills & Considerations

Once you've mastered the fundamentals, these advanced drills can help you fine-tune your chipping game even further.

The Landing Spot Drill

This drill focuses on distance control and visualization.

1. Choose a specific landing spot on the green.
2. Practice chipping to that spot, focusing on feel and judging distance.
3. Key Focus: Pay attention to how far back you take the club and the speed of your swing to achieve the desired distance.

The One-Club Drill

This drill teaches you versatility and forces you to control distance with technique, not different clubs.

1. Select one club (e.g., an 8-iron).
2. Practice chipping from various distances, adjusting your stance, grip, and swing length to control distance and trajectory.
3. Key Focus: Experiment with different techniques to achieve various shots with a single club.

The Uphill/Downhill Lie Drill

This drill prepares you for uneven lies, which are common around the green.

1. Find a slope on the practice area.
2. Practice chipping from both uphill and downhill lies.
3. Uphill Lie: Adjust your stance to maintain balance and aim slightly to the right (for a right-handed golfer).
4. Downhill Lie: Adjust your stance to maintain balance and aim slightly to the left (for a right-handed golfer).
5. Key Focus: Understand how the slope affects the club's contact with the ball and adjust your technique accordingly.

Beyond Drills: Essential Chipping Tips

Drills are a fantastic tool, but incorporating these tips into your practice will solidify your learning and make your drills even more effective:

• Grip Pressure: Maintain a light grip pressure. A tight grip restricts wrist hinge and promotes tension.
• Stance: Use an open stance (lead foot slightly withdrawn) to promote a clear swing path.
• Ball Position: Adjust ball position based on the shot you want to hit (further back for a lower shot, forward for a higher shot).
• Follow-Through: Always finish your swing towards the target. This ensures a complete weight transfer and prevents deceleration.
• Visualize: Before each shot, visualize the ball landing on your target and rolling to the hole.

Practice Plan: Putting It All Together

To get the most out of these drills, create a structured practice plan.

• Warm-up: Start with a few minutes of light stretching and practice swings.
• Fundamental Drills: Spend 15-20 minutes working on the alignment stick drill, towel drill, and lead arm only drill to address chunking. Devote another 15-20 minutes to the ball position drill, checkpoint drill, and stance width drill to combat thinning.
• Advanced Drills: Dedicate 10-15 minutes to the landing spot drill and the one-club drill to improve distance control and versatility.
• Uneven Lies: Practice chipping from uphill and downhill lies for 10 minutes.
• Game Simulation: Finish your practice session by playing a few simulated holes, chipping to different targets and distances on the practice green.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with dedicated practice, you may still encounter issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot:

• Still Chunking? Revisit the alignment stick drill and focus on a complete weight transfer. Check your spine angle and ensure you're not standing up during the swing.
• Still Thinning? Double-check your ball position and stance. Ensure you're not reaching for the ball. Focus on maintaining your wrist hinge throughout the swing.
• Inconsistent Distance Control? Refine your feel for distance by practicing the landing spot drill. Pay attention to the length of your backswing and the speed of your swing.

The Mental Game of Chipping

Chipping isn't just physical; it's also mental. Confidence is key. Trust your technique, visualize success, and don't be afraid to experiment. Remember, even the best golfers occasionally mishit a chip. The key is to learn from your mistakes and maintain a positive attitude.

Conclusion: Chipping Confidence Awaits

Chunking and thinning chips can be incredibly frustrating, but they don't have to define your short game. By understanding the causes of these errors and diligently practicing these drills, you can transform your chipping from a source of anxiety into a weapon of precision. Commit to a structured practice plan, address the underlying issues in your technique, and cultivate a confident mindset. The green awaits — go conquer it!