The Difference Between Chipping and Pitching?

Golf’s short game is an art, and understanding the subtle differences between chipping and pitching can transform your approach around the green. A chip shot is typically a low, controlled stroke designed to roll along the ground after a brief flight. In contrast, a pitch shot features a higher trajectory with a softer landing, making it ideal for navigating more challenging scenarios around the green.

This article delves into both shots in detail, covering definitions that clarify their fundamental distinctions, guidelines for deciding which shot to play, and pointers on refining your technique through focused practice. Whether you’re rethinking your short-game strategy or looking to fine-tune specific skills, you’ll find practical insights to elevate your performance once you’re back on the course.

Defining Chipping and Pitching

Chipping

A chip shot keeps the ball low to the ground with minimal airtime, relying on a short, compact swing. The motion is controlled, with the wrists remaining relatively firm throughout. This firmness helps ensure a crisp, downward strike that pops the ball into the air for a moment before it lands and rolls toward the target. Because chipping prioritizes roll, you typically play this shot from close range when you have a relatively clear path to the hole.

Pitching

A pitch shot contrasts with a chip by flying higher and landing more softly. The swing is somewhat longer, and the wrists hinge and release deliberately to produce additional loft. This extra loft carries the ball through the air and reduces its roll after landing. A pitch shot comes in handy when you need to carry the ball over an obstacle or onto an elevated green, or when you’re navigating a trickier position that demands more precise control of distance and trajectory.

When to Choose a Chip or a Pitch

Distance from the Green

The space between your ball and the putting surface often dictates whether a chip or a pitch is more effective. If you’re only a few yards away, a low shot that gently pops onto the green and rolls is typically the safest option. Conversely, if you have a moderate distance to cover or the hole is positioned farther back, a higher-arcing pitch can help control where the ball lands and how much it rolls afterward.

Evaluating Obstacles

Hazards, uneven ground, and slopes can all influence which short-game shot to select. In open areas where there are no bunkers or major inclines obstructing your path, a chip shot can be the simplest solution. However, if you’re staring at a bunker lip, a raised edge, or significant rough, pitching the ball to clear those obstacles becomes more appealing. The extra height allows the ball to land softly without the risk of getting tangled in challenging lies.

Considering the Lie

The condition of the turf beneath your ball can also suggest which technique to employ. A tight, clean lie is often ideal for a chip because you can contact the ball crisply and let it roll with minimal interference. If the ground is soft or the ball is partially buried, you may prefer a pitch. A pitch’s loftier flight reduces the chances of snagging the club through heavy grass and makes it easier to achieve solid contact in less-than-ideal conditions.

Technical Execution: Mechanics and Technique

Setup

For a chip, position your feet slightly closer together and place the ball a bit back in your stance. This arrangement helps you deliver the club with a downward angle, promoting that short, rolling launch. When you step up for a pitch, adopt a more balanced stance with the ball near the center or only slightly forward. This positioning gives your wrists room to hinge and generate additional loft during the swing.

Swing Path

A chipping motion is compact. The shorter backswing and disciplined follow-through cause the club to move on a steeper path, creating the low flight that characterizes the shot. Pitching, on the other hand, features a rounder and more extended swing arc. As you transition from backswing to follow-through, the clubhead sweeps through at a gentler angle, allowing the ball to rise higher before landing quietly on the green.

Wrist Mechanics

Wrist action is perhaps the clearest difference between chipping and pitching. In a chip, the wrists remain firm and stable, reducing the likelihood of flipping or scooping the ball. A pitch, by contrast, involves a deliberate hinge and release. The break in the wrists on the backswing creates the loft, and the smooth unhinging through impact preserves the needed height and soft landing on the green.

Swing Rhythm and Follow-Through

Chip shots rely on a measured, almost economical tempo. The club doesn’t travel far before impact, leading to a firm strike and minimal follow-through. Pitch shots depend on a more gradual buildup of energy. The club’s longer travel on the backswing and a full, arcing follow-through combine to control both the shot’s distance and its trajectory. This blend of fluid movement and intentional wrist release helps float the ball closer to the hole under more challenging conditions.

Practice and Improvement Tips

Setting Up a Focused Practice Routine

A designated short-game area is ideal for working on chipping and pitching. To replicate on-course challenges, place markers or targets at various distances near the green and practice landing the ball in those zones. Alternate between a club you favor for lower-rolling chips and one that generates the loft you need for higher pitches. The goal is to familiarize yourself with how changes in stance, ball position, and club selection affect trajectory and roll.

Exploring Club Selection and Shot Feel

Experiment with multiple wedges to refine each shot’s feel. Take time to notice how the ball behaves when struck with different lofts and swing lengths. The subtle differences in feedback—from impact sensation to spin rate—will inform your decision-making on the course. By devoting part of your practice session to pure experimentation, you’ll gain valuable instincts about which setup works best under various conditions.

Target Practice Drill

Place visual targets where you want your ball to land for each type of shot. For chips, pick spots that encourage a short flight and a predictable roll. For pitches, choose landing zones that reward a higher flight and gentle stop. Strive to hit a series of shots in a row that land on or near these targets. This focused drill reinforces distance control, highlights areas of inconsistency, and helps you adjust your wrist mechanics or swing length as needed.

Consistency Through Controlled Repetition

Repetition is at the heart of short-game mastery. Practice chips in clusters, then shift to pitches in the same session so you become adept at switching between the two on demand. Each time, settle your stance, focus on either keeping your wrists firm (for chips) or allowing them to hinge and release (for pitches), and track where the ball lands. Mindful, methodical repetition will reinforce newly refined techniques and make them second nature once you’re playing for a score.

Conclusion

Chipping and pitching each have a distinct personality. A chip relies on a short, controlled stroke that sends the ball rolling low along the green, while a pitch calls for a fuller swing and deliberate wrist release to lift the ball higher and land it softly.

When deciding which option to play, factor in how far you need to carry the ball, any obstacles you face, and the nature of the turf beneath the ball. Grasping the mechanical differences in setup, swing path, and wrist action ensures you’re prepared to execute whichever shot best suits the situation. By focusing on these fundamentals, you’ll be well on your way to mastering your short game and shaving strokes off your final score.