How to Stop Chunking Your Golf Chip Shots

Many golfers struggle with chunking around the green. One moment, you chip it close; the next, you stub the turf or blade the ball past the hole. Chunking doesn’t just waste strokes, it kills confidence, too. The good news? It’s fixable with the right adjustments and a little focused practice.

Why Chunking Happens

Chunking typically arises from two primary issues. First, your angle of attack is too steep, causing the club to dig into the ground instead of brushing it. Second, your low point control is off, meaning you strike the turf before the ball. Both lead to fat or thin golf shots, leaving you frustrated and scrambling.

Feel the Right Angle of Attack

Think about brushing a thin layer of ice without cracking it. That same touch applies to your short game. You don’t need to “chop” the ball; you need a shallow brush of the turf.
Stand over your chips and make small rehearsal swings, brushing the grass lightly. You’ll quickly feel the difference between a chunk and a crisp strike. This simple exercise builds awareness of your golf swing mechanics without overthinking.

Controlling the Low Point

Even with the right feel, chunking won’t stop unless your low point is in the right spot—slightly ahead of the golf ball. If your body center stays too far back, the club bottoms out early.

A great checkpoint is your shirt buttons. Drop an imaginary line down from them and make sure it’s at or slightly in front of the ball. This ensures your most effortless brush happens in the right place. Practicing this setup adjustment alone can transform your short game.

If you prefer watching drills in action, check out golf swing tips on YouTube for a visual breakdown of these moves.

The Role of Body and Club Connection

Another key to stopping chunked chips is keeping your body and arms connected. Too much independent wrist action often leads to inconsistent strikes. Instead, allow your torso to control most of the motion.

One popular drill is the towel drill: place a small towel under your arms while you chip. This promotes body-driven movement and reduces unnecessary hand action. It’s a quick way to eliminate breakdowns in the motion and strike the ball more solidly.

Building Confidence Through Practice

You don’t need endless hours on the range. Instead, focus on short, mindful sessions where you practice brushing the grass in the right spot and syncing your body with the club. Over time, this muscle memory gives you confidence to handle different lies and green-side situations.

For structured learning and personalized drills, explore the programs at Scratch Golf Academy. These lessons dive deeper into short game techniques, giving you a clear path to improvement.

Bringing It All Together

Chunking chips doesn’t have to hold your game back. By focusing on a lighter angle of attack, controlling your low point, and staying connected, you’ll build the consistency needed to get up and down more often.

And if you prefer visual learning, check out golf swing tips on YouTube to watch these drills in action.

Golf improvement takes patience, but the right fundamentals make the journey faster and more rewarding. Commit to these changes, and your short game will quickly feel sharper and more reliable.