Here are a few key thoughts

to help your chipping. Follow these guidelines and I'm sure you will improve your scores.

SET UP FACTORS:

1. Grip down on the shaft.
2. Ball position slightly back of center.

3. Open stance.

4. Weight on the front leg which moves the hands ahead of the ball.

Once this check list is in order, simply turn the body back and through keeping the hands and wrists out of the shot. Hold the finish and make sure the body is facing the target and the shaft points toward the ground.

Choose The Right Club

The most simple system to chipping is to learn one basic motion and change clubs to control the distance. For the bump and run use an eight iron, for a medium amount or green to work with use a pitching wedge, and for little green to work with use a sand wedge. These three clubs should cover any situation you encounter around the green.

"Keep Your Head Down" Is Bad Advice for Chipping

Keeping the head down causes most amateur to get wristy with chip shots.

Keeping your head UP allows the body to turn while chipping. Most amateur get wristy with chip shots which results in poor contact. When the body stops turning the wrists become more active. Keep your head out of the way so the chest can turn freely towards the target. After some practice, you should start to make crisp contact and not even think about your head.

Correct example of keeping your head up.

Foolproof Chipping

Nothing will help you lower your scores more than chipping close to the pin around the green. Try these tips next time you practice your short game. Most golfers put little time into chipping and get frustrated. I guess I would too! I hope this serves as a start for proper form in the chipping stroke and inspiration to put more time into your short game.

Ball back in the stance

The ball placed back of center allows the hands to stay ahead of the club. Proper contact between the club face and the ball is the key to controlling the distance desired. This can only be achieved if the handle leads the club head at the point of impact. Without proper form feel cannot develop.

Weight forward

Having the weight of the body favoring the front leg encourages a descending blow on the ball rather than scooping it. If you are struggling with inconsistent contact, put more weight on the front leg and get ready for crisp chip shots.

Bobby Hinds is a Teaching Professional at Woodley Lakes Golf Course with over 10 years of teaching experience. If you have questions about your golf swing, email Bobby atbobbyhinds@aol.com He is available for lessons through the Pro Shop. For more information, go to BobbyHinds.com.

How Wii Golf Can Help You Improve Your Game

The great teacher Eddie Merrins wrote a classic instructional book titled,"Swing the Handle." This concept immediately entered my mind after playing a few holes of Wii Sports Resort Golf. The sensor in the remote is sensitive and accurate enough to encourage the player to learn touch and ball flight control. Watching the screen while feeling the necessary stroke is great indoor practice, in my opinion.

The Wii Sports Resort video game can help golfers of all levels understand the relationship between swing path and club face by the interactive nature of the program. In a rather short time you can increase your distance and accuracy while having fun at the same time!

Here's my latest golf tip video on YouTube that shows us you an easy routine to ensure a great putting stroke and easy steps to a better putting grip. Any questions, visit me at http://www.BobbyHinds.com.