When should I chip and when should I pitch?

I often see players on the course who confuse the two types of stroke and don't know the difference. With such confusion, it is very difficult to make the right decision on the court. But first let me explain the difference between these two types of shot. Then it will be much easier for you to decide when which shot makes sense and which shot is easier to control in which situation. With these two strokes, we differentiate between a single-lever and a double-lever swing. This means that you do not form an angle between your arms and wrists when swinging for a chip (single-lever swing). With a pitch, you bend your wrists (two-lever swing). Another difference is that the ball rolls the longer distance to the flag when you chip. With a pitch, it tends to fly in a high arc and rolls very little. The address position is also slightly different with a chip than if you were to make a full swing.

Most golfers find it difficult to control their hands under pressure. You probably know this: when you are nervous, your hands sometimes do too much and then it becomes difficult to generate a clean impact.

Especially in pressure situations, a larger chip (i.e. without using your wrists) would be easier than a small pitch. This saves strokes and gives you confidence. I often see people reaching for the sand wedge despite a flat front green (and no hazards on the way to the flag). A high ball is technically demanding. It is much easier to let the ball roll two thirds of the way to the hole with an 8 iron. In tennis, there is the expression "unforced errors". This translates as "mistakes without need". These are also very common in golf. Many people tell me that they have difficulty controlling the distance on flat balls. I promise you: if you practise the chip with the 8 iron, you will love it!

However, if you have to play over a bunker or don't have much green available, then a pith with the sand or lob wedge is certainly the better choice! However, don't play these shots too close and use the green in your favour after the flag. Even players such as Phil Michelson - perhaps the best player in the world at pitching - has made some adjustments and now swings with significantly less wrist action when he swings out. Certainly not irrelevant information.

You will always be better at chipping than pitching under pressure. In the end, you should always decide by feel, knowing that less wrist action means more control.