subject: Chip From The Sand [print this page] Chip From The Sand Chip From The Sand
Part of being a skillful player is "reading" the situation, choosing the right shot and then being able to execute that particular play. Taking into account all your options is important, but most golfers never consider the versatility the game allows. For example, when faced with a bunker shot, most golfers think "blast." But in some situations, thinking "chip" may produce the better result.
The forged, multi-metal design, of the Ping Anser Forged Irons combines an 8620 steel body, a dense tungsten sole, and machined grooves for unequaled forged-iron feel and forgiveness. Its hollow-sole cavity softens feel and positions the CG for higher-launching shots. The progressive set design offers long-iron forgiveness and short-iron control.
The Anser carries the same name as one of the early models Karsten Solheim produced before he transitioned to the popular investment casting process. The newest version pushes the forging process to create performance benefits not previously associated with a forged club.
There are three conditions that should trigger your consideration of the sand-chip. The first thing is your lie. If the ball is sitting up so you can get the clubhead cleanly on the ball, the chip is a possibility. The second factor is the height of the lip. The sand-chip features a low trajectory, so you can only use it if the bunker has a very low lip. The third factor is the location of the pinthe sand-chip will run with very little spin, so it's ideal when there's a lot of space between the ball and the flag.
The sand-chip also is the shot of choice when the pin is on a tier where it would be all too easy to hit a normal bunker shot a foot too short and spin it back down the slope, leaving you a long, difficult putt up a steep slope. When all three of these conditions are present, you're primed to make your chip from the sand.
The stroke is made with little wrist break and by keeping the majority of your weight on your front foot. The fixed wrists allow the butt end of your club and the clubface to move together back and then through the golf ball. The most common error is to drop down into the ball in an effort to lift it into the air. This destroys ball-first contact. Make sure you keep your spine angle intact until the ball is well on its way.
