IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR GAME

The boards of education

I tell all my students that spin is the enemy of roll, so they should chip the ball rather than pitch it, and use the least-lofted club they can, since loft adds spin.

Crisp contact should be your No. 1 priority when you chip the ball, so it rolls end-over-end with no side spin. Mark your ball with an arrow so you can better see the roll.

To roll it correctly, you must hit the ball with a descending blow, pinching the back of the ball. Setting up two boards as shown here will help you get the feel of the angles needed for accurate chipping.

Place one board along your toe line, parallel to your intended line of flight. Place the other board perpendicular to the first, about 6 inches behind your back foot.

Take your standard chipping stance, making sure that you do the following:

1. Place your feet about 6 inches apart (measured between the inside of your shoes).

2. Position the ball off your back foot.

3. Angle the shaft toward your front shoulder.

4. Put 80 percent of your weight on your front foot and leave it there.

5. Choice of club depends on how much roll you need.

Remember that in chipping, there is no need for power, so you don't have to hinge your wrists to swing over the board. The chip is simply a teeter-totter motion where your shoulders move the clubhead back and through the ball. This creates the proper angles for both your backswing and your downswing. If you hit the board on the backswing, you're moving the clubhead too level with the ground.

On the downstroke, you must clear the board again. If you break down your wrists or shift weight to your back foot, you'll hit the board on your approach to the ball. But not to worry, the board will show you the correct angle of descent, and with a little practice, you'll be swinging with the steepness necessary for accurate, over-spin chips that hold the target line.

If you’ve set up properly, you should be able to make a backstroke that clears the back board, then moves down to the ball without hitting the board.

Hold your position at the end of your chip, as I have done here, and check your finish position. If done correctly, your finish should be about the same as your backstroke, ensuring proper acceleration through the ball.