Chipping Tips for Ball Above Feet

Chipping Tips for Ball Above Feet: How to Adjust Your Technique

Chipping from uneven lies can be a challenging aspect of your short game, especially when the ball is above your feeton a slope. The slope changes the geometry of your swing, making it essential to adjust your stance, club selection, and swing mechanics to maintain accuracy and control. In this guide, we’ll break down chipping tips for ball above feet, focusing on adjustments in setup, swing radius, and clubface direction to help you hit cleaner, more controlled shots from difficult lies.

Understanding the Challenge

When the ball is above your feet, the natural geometry of your swing is altered. The club is now closer to the ball than it would be on a flat lie, and without adjustments, this can result in inconsistent contact—often leading to thin or pulled shots. Adjusting your swing radius and stance can help neutralize this effect and improve the quality of your contact.

Adjusting Swing Radius

One of the first adjustments you should make when the ball is above your feet is to change the swing radius. This means shortening the distance between your club and the ball to match the slope.

A. Grip Down on the Club

The simplest way to adjust your swing radius is by gripping down on the club. By choking down, you effectively shorten the club, bringing the radius of your swing in line with the elevated position of the ball. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to adjust to this kind of lie.

• How Much to Grip Down: The amount you grip down should correspond to how far the ball is above your feet. If the slope is severe, grip further down the club to maintain control.

B. Stand Taller

Another option is to change the centrum of your swing by adjusting your posture. Instead of bending over as much as you normally would, stand taller in your stance. This makes your body “taller,” helping you to match the ball’s position relative to your swing path.

• Why This Works: By standing taller, the club naturally sits higher off the ground, which compensates for the elevated ball position.

C. Combine Both Techniques

In most situations, you can combine these two adjustments—gripping down slightly on the club while also standing taller. This combination provides the best balance of control and consistency, helping you maintain a good swing path and ensure solid contact.

Adjusting Clubface Direction

One of the most critical aspects of chipping when the ball is above your feet is managing the clubface direction. On this type of lie, your hands will naturally be lower at impact, which changes the orientation of the clubface.

A. Clubface Tends to Aim Left

When your hands are lower at address, the clubface tends to point more left of your intended target. This happens because the lie angles the clubface, closing it slightly.

• Compensate for the Left Bias: To counteract this leftward bias, you have two options:
  1. Open the Clubface: You can open the clubface slightly at setup. This adjustment will counteract the natural closing effect and help you hit the ball toward your target. Be aware, though, that opening the face can also add loft, which may cause the ball to fly higher.
  2. Aim Right: Another option is to aim slightly right of your target. As the clubface points left, aiming right compensates for this directional shift, helping you land the ball on your intended line.

B. Impact on Loft and Height

When you open the clubface to counteract the leftward bias, it can also result in a higher ball flight. If you need a lower shot, consider aiming right instead of adjusting the clubface, as opening the clubface could change the flight dynamics.

Applying the Technique in Different Situations

Depending on the severity of the slope and the specific shot you need to hit, you may want to adjust your technique further. Here are a few strategies for different scenarios:

A. Hitting to a Back Pin

If you’re aiming for a back pin and need to avoid a high shot:

• Grip down on the club.
• Stand taller in your stance to compensate for the lie.
• Aim slightly right to ensure the ball doesn’t veer left due to the slope.

B. Managing Height on the Shot

If you’re aiming to hit the ball higher, such as for a soft landing, you can combine adjustments:

• Open the clubface to add loft.
• Grip down slightly to maintain control while still getting the desired height.
• Adjust your stance to accommodate the slope and ensure a clean strike.

Conclusion

Chipping with the ball above your feet can be tricky, but with the right adjustments, you can maintain control and accuracy. By modifying your swing radius with a shorter grip or taller stance, and compensating for the clubface direction, you can effectively handle these challenging lies. Practice these techniques to find what works best for your game, and soon enough, you’ll be able to approach uphill chip shots with confidence.

Good luck out there, and may your next chip land perfectly on target!