Rebecca has been one of the Pros at the Links for three years now, having joined in 2014. Today she helps you decide how to play that shot from a tight lie.
One of the characteristics of links golf is being faced with the challenge of playing the ball off a tight lie, particularly around the greens. The most common choice for many golfers when presented with this challenge is to opt for safe play, the putter. Using the putter to play this shot is not always the best option as you are often faced with undulations, bunkers and the most famous hazard at Carnoustie, the Barry Burn.
Follow these simple steps to improve your chipping off tight lies:
- First up, place the ball back in your stance, opposite the inside of your trail heel. This will promote a steeper angle of approach helping you to strike the ball first.
- Next, you should adopt 70% of your weight onto your lead leg, so you are leaning in towards the target.
- Lastly, a common fault when using a lofted club to play this shot is that players will try and use their hands to manipulate the club, adding loft through impact, often miss-hitting the ball in the process. Returning your hands ahead of the clubhead at the ball will promote the desired impact position.
So, if you ever find yourself chipping from a tight lie again, you’ll have no problem as long as you stick to the steps and you’ll be holing out in no time!
Words by Rebecca Tully, PGA Assistant Porfessional