The swing fault encyclopedia

Scooping chips and wedges

Quick answer: On video, the lead wrist cups before impact and the clubhead passes the hands trying to lift the ball.

What it does to the ball

Thins that rocket across the green, or fats that go a meter: the loft already lifts the ball by itself.

Root causes (by frequency)

  1. The instinct to help the ball up with the wrists
  2. Not trusting the loft of the club
  3. Weight split evenly or hanging back in the stance

How to fix it

  1. Hands ahead and chest turning: the grip reaches the target before the clubhead does, and the loft handles the rest

Drills that fix it

The grip wins the race · 10 min · 15 reps
Arrive at the chip with the hands ahead Put a tee in the ground 10 cm in front of the ball on your line. Hit chips feeling the grip pass over the tee before the clubhead catches up. The lead wrist stays flat and the club's loft lifts the ball on its own.
Brush the grass · 10 min · 20 reps
Trust the loft and stop lifting the ball Without a ball, hit chips brushing the grass in the same spot every time, with a continuous swishing sound. Bring in the ball and look for the same brushing: the ball simply gets in the club's way. No helping it up.

Frequently asked questions

What is "Scooping chips and wedges" in the golf swing?

On video, the lead wrist cups before impact and the clubhead passes the hands trying to lift the ball.

What does scooping chips and wedges do to the ball?

Thins that rocket across the green, or fats that go a meter: the loft already lifts the ball by itself.

How do you fix scooping chips and wedges?

Hands ahead and chest turning: the grip reaches the target before the clubhead does, and the loft handles the rest

Sources

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