The difference in one table
Takeaway: Chips roll more than they fly; pitches fly more than they roll.
| Chip | Pitch | |
|---|---|---|
| Trajectory | Low | Medium to high |
| Air vs roll | More roll than air | More air than roll |
| Typical distance | Just off the green to roughly 20 yards | Roughly 20 to 60 yards |
| Clubs | 7-iron to sand wedge | Pitching, gap, sand or lob wedge |
| Motion | Rocking shoulders, little wrist hinge | Longer swing with wrist hinge and body turn |
| Ball position | Centre to slightly back | Centre |
| Weight | About 60–70% on the lead foot, staying there | Slightly forward, turning through |
Distance ranges are general guidance; the right choice depends on what is between you and the hole.
How to chip
- Narrow stance, feet close, slightly open to the target.
- Ball in the centre or just back of centre; grip down the club a little.
- Weight favouring the lead foot, hands slightly ahead of the ball.
- Rock the shoulders like a putting stroke; keep the wrists quiet.
- Strike ball first and let the loft lift it; finish low.
How to pitch
- Stance a little narrower than shoulder width; ball in the centre.
- Hinge the wrists on the backswing; turn the chest.
- Rotate through with the body, letting the clubhead pass the hands slightly less than on a full shot.
- Control distance with swing length (hip-high, chest-high), not effort.
- Finish with the chest facing the target.
Our greenside decision chart
Takeaway: Pick the lowest-risk shot that gets the ball rolling on the green as early as possible.
| Situation | Shot | Club to try first |
|---|---|---|
| Fringe, smooth ground, plenty of green | Putt | Putter |
| Short rough, lots of green to work with | Chip and run | 8- or 9-iron |
| Short rough, hole close to the edge | Chip | Pitching or gap wedge |
| Bunker or rough between you and the green | Pitch | Sand or gap wedge |
| 30–60 yards, open approach | Pitch, chest-high swing | Gap or pitching wedge |
| Ball in a greenside bunker | Bunker shot | Sand wedge (see bunker basics) |
The carry-to-roll planning tool
Many coaches teach a carry-to-roll ratio: lower-lofted clubs roll more for each yard they fly. The exact ratio varies with green speed, slope, lie and the ball, so treat any printed chart as a starting point. A better plan is to measure your own: on the practice green, chip ten balls with a 9-iron, pitching wedge and sand wedge to a towel placed a few paces onto the green, and note how far each rolls after landing. You now have your own ratios for that green speed, which are more useful than any generic chart.
Wedges and balls for the short game
Takeaway: Bounce helps you avoid digging; a softer, spinnier ball helps pitches stop.
A sand or gap wedge with mid bounce suits most beginners' pitching; very low-bounce wedges dig on soft turf. Our golf wedges explained and Vokey SM11 review cover loft, bounce and grind. The ball matters on pitches: urethane-covered balls like the Pro V1 spin more around the green than two-piece ionomer balls, while beginner-friendly balls from our best golf balls for beginners list roll out more but cost less to lose.
One club or many?
Takeaway: Both methods work; pick one and practise it, rather than switching every round.
There are two common ways to approach chipping. The one-club method uses a single wedge for almost every chip and changes the swing length and ball position to vary carry and roll. It is simple and builds feel quickly with one club. The multi-club method keeps the same chipping motion and changes the club: a 7- or 8-iron when there is lots of green to roll across, a wedge when there is little. It is more repeatable for many beginners because the stroke never changes, only the club. If you are new, the multi-club method with a putting-style stroke is often the faster route to getting the ball close. Whichever you choose, give it a full month before judging it, and log your up-and-downs on the scorecard (see how to keep score).
Three drills
- Landing towel: place a towel one pace onto the green and chip to land on it with three different clubs
- Clock pitches: pitch five balls each with hands at hip-high, chest-high and shoulder-high, and note carry
- Up-and-down game: drop nine balls around the green and play each to the hole; count how many you finish in two strokes
Common beginner mistakes
- Scooping: trying to lift the ball with the wrists. Keep hands ahead and hit down.
- Always using the lob wedge. Higher shots are harder; chip with less loft when you can.
- Decelerating into the ball. Shorter backswing, accelerating through.
- Weight on the back foot. Causes fat and thin chips.
- No landing spot. Pick where the ball should land, not just the hole.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between chipping and pitching?
A chip is a low shot that rolls more than it flies, with little wrist hinge. A pitch flies higher and rolls less, using a longer swing with wrist hinge.
What club is best for chipping?
It depends on the situation. An 8- or 9-iron for chip-and-run shots with lots of green; a pitching or gap wedge when the hole is closer.
When should I pitch instead of chip?
When you need to carry rough, a bunker or a slope, or when you are too far away to roll the ball most of the way.
How do I stop chunking chips?
Keep more weight on your lead foot, ball slightly back of centre, hands ahead, and avoid flicking the wrists.
Should beginners use a lob wedge?
Sparingly. Most greenside shots are easier with less loft.