Brian Gay's Green Side Chipping

[bray]

Lynn,

When watching Brian this past week I noticed when he chips the clubhead and stroke come to a stop almost directly after impact. You can also see Brian doing this in the Practice Round Videos at last years PGA in The Gallery.

Is Brian going to follow through on these shots or is he stopping prior to follow through? What are the advantages to stopping the clubhead so early?

Congratulations again and I look forward to your response in the mean time I'm going to try hitting some of these chips to see what happens.

Sorting Through the Instructor's Textbook.

B-Ray

[Yoda]

Lynn,

When watching Brian this past week I noticed when he chips the clubhead and stroke come to a stop almost directly after impact. You can also see Brian doing this in the Practice Round Videos at last years PGA in The Gallery.

Is Brian going to follow through on these shots or is he stopping prior to follow through? What are the advantages to stopping the clubhead so early?

Congratulations again and I look forward to your response in the mean time I'm going to try hitting some of these chips to see what happens.

With the ball positioned well back -- depending on the lie, sometimes actually outside his right toe -- and with such a delicate stroke, the club simply cannot descend all the way to Low Point (opposite his Left Shoulder). There is too much 'Mother Earth' to move. So, the club stops (or bounces out of the ground), despite the fact that Brian's Hand Motion never quits.

[GPStyles]

light bulb moment!

Thanks Lynn, I realise I have been using hand manipulation to prevent myself from 'digging' in too deep

[Yoda]

light bulb moment!

Thanks Lynn, I realise I have been using hand manipulation to prevent myself from 'digging' in too deep

The secret to playing from poor and tight lies is 'pinch'; that is, the Clubshaft leans well forward and the Hands (with the Flat Left Wrist) lead through Impact. And the secret to 'pinch' on the short shots is to move your Pivot Center (Head or Point-between-the-Shoulders) slightly left -- either at Address or even during the Backstroke -- of its normal mid-stance location. This is what Brian does, and I never get tired of watching him execute these shots.

When seeking 'severe pinch', you should additionally play the ball well back toward the right foot. In extreme situations, Brian will actually locate the ball outside his right toe. All this moves the Low Point of the Stroke decidedly left of the Ball Location and produces a steep Angle of Attack that avoids the grass or ground behind the ball.

But, when playing such a shot, here's another really important thing:

Think "Float".

On almost all pitch shots, even the lower ones, that is your objective. However long the 'air' time (versus 'ground' time), you are 'pitching pennies' and should seek an "underhand pitch, motion and feel" whether you are lobbing, pinching or severely pinching the shot. Especially from poor lies, most golfers attempt to 'gouge' the ball up and out. The lie intimidates, and they subconsciously hit the ball harder than required to get the ball airborne and out of its predicament. Remember, the Hands are only clamps. As such, they control Clubface alignments. They do not produce Power.

Instead of relying on Clubhead Acceleration (Lag Pressure) to extricate the ball, rely on the pre-set Pivot Center / Ball Location and resulting steep Angle of Attack (Geometry). Despite the resulting lower trajectory -- which will be higher if you add Cut (Open Clubface and Plane Line) -- the intent to 'float' the ball toward the flagstick will soften the shot and add to your control.

Do this, and you will be amazed at how your short game will improve.

[Seanmx]

The secret to playing from poor and tight lies is 'pinch'; that is, the Clubshaft leans well forward and the Hands (with the Flat Left Wrist) lead through Impact. And the secret to 'pinch' on the short shots is to move your Pivot Center (Head or Point-between-the-Shoulders) slightly left -- either at Address or even during the Backstroke -- of its normal mid-stance location. This is what Brian does, and I never get tired of watching him execute these shots.

When seeking 'severe pinch', you should additionally play the ball well back toward the right foot. In extreme situations, Brian will actually locate the ball outside his right toe. All this moves the Low Point of the Stroke decidedly left of the Ball Location and produces a steep Angle of Attack that avoids the grass or ground behind the ball.

But, when playing such a shot, here's another really important thing:

Think "Float".

On almost all pitch shots, even the lower ones, that is your objective. However long the 'air' time (versus 'ground' time), you are 'pitching pennies' and should seek an "underhand pitch, motion and feel" whether you are lobbing, pinching or severely pinching the shot. Especially from poor lies, most golfers attempt to 'gouge' the ball up and out. The lie intimidates, and they subconsciously hit the ball harder than required to get the ball airborne and out of its predicament. Remember, the Hands are only clamps. As such, they control Clubface alignments. They do not produce Power.

Instead of relying on Clubhead Acceleration (Lag Pressure) to extricate the ball, rely on the pre-set Pivot Center / Ball Location and resulting steep Angle of Attack (Geometry). Despite the resulting lower trajectory -- which will be higher if you add Cut (Open Clubface and Plane Line) -- the intent to 'float' the ball toward the flagstick will soften the shot and add to your control.

Do this, and you will be amazed at how your short game will improve.

Excellent advice - As always

[powerdraw]

The secret to playing from poor and tight lies is 'pinch'; that is, the Clubshaft leans well forward and the Hands (with the Flat Left Wrist) lead through Impact. And the secret to 'pinch' on the short shots is to move your Pivot Center (Head or Point-between-the-Shoulders) slightly left -- either at Address or even during the Backstroke -- of its normal mid-stance location. This is what Brian does, and I never get tired of watching him execute these shots.

When seeking 'severe pinch', you should additionally play the ball well back toward the right foot. In extreme situations, Brian will actually locate the ball outside his right toe. All this moves the Low Point of the Stroke decidedly left of the Ball Location and produces a steep Angle of Attack that avoids the grass or ground behind the ball.

But, when playing such a shot, here's another really important thing:

Think "Float".

On almost all pitch shots, even the lower ones, that is your objective. However long the 'air' time (versus 'ground' time), you are 'pitching pennies' and should seek an "underhand pitch, motion and feel" whether you are lobbing, pinching or severely pinching the shot. Especially from poor lies, most golfers attempt to 'gouge' the ball up and out. The lie intimidates, and they subconsciously hit the ball harder than required to get the ball airborne and out of its predicament. Remember, the Hands are only clamps. As such, they control Clubface alignments. They do not produce Power.

Instead of relying on Clubhead Acceleration (Lag Pressure) to extricate the ball, rely on the pre-set Pivot Center / Ball Location and resulting steep Angle of Attack (Geometry). Despite the resulting lower trajectory -- which will be higher if you add Cut (Open Clubface and Plane Line) -- the intent to 'float' the ball toward the flagstick will soften the shot and add to your control.

Do this, and you will be amazed at how your short game will improve.

and lynn, when doing this i get a low shot that checks a ton...pretty used to this method described as there are no good lies anywhere in quebec...

[Uppndownn]

Awesome post as is par for you, Yoda.
A combination of Homer with a little Paul Runyan sprinkled in for good measure.

Thanks!

UPP in soggy Ohio

[GPStyles]

"Float".

I love it! I definitely have been trying to 'hit' hard with my hands to increase the check on landing.

My next game shall see me dragging the wet mop and floating the ball towards the hole!

[bray]

Lynn,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Impressive you are up so early after celebrating last night.

I will hit some short chips and monitor this today.

Sorting Through the Circuit Player's Handbook.

B-Ray

[ColtsFan]

what an amazing performance by Brian..percision G.O.L.F. at its finest.


They also actually mentioned Lynn, John and TGM by name, that was a shocker.

Congrats Yoda!