If it’s good enough to put a line on your ball to practice your putting stroke, then it’s good enough to put a line on your ball to practice your short chip shots too. Here’s why.
Marking your ball with a solid straight line helps you square the club face to the ball.
Look at picture 1. Simply square the line on your ball to the line on your putter head. Correct alignment will allow for the ball to roll “end over end” resulting in a more consistent stroke.
PICTURE 1
Picture 2 illustrates incorrect alignment. If you strike the ball with an open or closed putter face, the ball will skid across the green, making it harder to judge the pace of greens through a round.
PICTURE 2
Picture 3 shows the same technique but this time with a wedge.
PICTURE 3
Making contact with a square club face means the grooves on the club face will work their magic, helping the ball to spin high up through the air, check and stop.
If you line your club head like that in picture 4 you will most likely thin the ball over that green. And instead of a putt you may well find yourself facing a bunker shot next.
PICTURE 4
Also just a point here about chipping: A lot of amateurs tend to flick their hands in an effort to try and get the ball in the air. But by practicing this drill you will soon get the feel of the ball running up the club face and spinning through the air. Let the club do its work, but always remember square it up to the ball first to get that perfect chip.
Grant Kenny
PGA Advanced Level Coach
