8 Best Chipping Drills to Lower Scores and Build Short-Game Consistency
One of the most fun areas of the game to practice is chipping. While it may not get as much practice time as full swings, even putting a little time into your chipping skills can save strokes.
If you can consistently get the ball on the green and rolling toward the hole, your scorecard improves quickly.
Most golfers either use too much wrist, not enough body, or simply don’t have a repeatable method for different lies.
There are simple, effective drills you can use to build a reliable short game. From wrist-control exercises to feel-based challenges, these drills will teach you how to chip low, mid, and high shots and when paired with HackMotion, you’ll get measurable feedback to lock in consistency.
Chipping Drills (Key Takeaways)
Here are the most important things to remember about each of these chipping drills as you practice them.
- Wrist mechanics control loft, spin, and contact quality in chipping.
- Practicing both low, mid, and high shots prepares you for every short-game situation.
- Path control (keeping the club on plane) is critical to avoid fat or thin shots.
- Drills isolating each arm help train body connection and wrist stability.
- Touch and feel can be developed indoors as well as on the course.
- HackMotion helps you measure subtle wrist patterns that are hard to see or feel.
The Secret to a Better Golf Swing Starts with Your Wrists!
Your clubface angle at impact controls over 80% of your shot’s direction—and it all comes down to your wrists. Click here for the best drills to master your wrist mechanics and take control of your swing.
Best Chipping Drills to Improve Your Short Game
Each drill below targets a different aspect that ties into your ability to chip. You’ll cover everything from swing mechanics to plane to consistency.
Together, they give you a complete toolkit for improving around the greens and making your practice more entertaining.
The Low Chip and Run Drill (Stable Wrists)
This is your basic bump-and-run shot. By standing closer to the ball and setting your wrists into ulnar deviation (thumbs pointing down), you reduce wrist action and stabilize the clubface, making contact far more predictable.
The Low Chip and Run Drill – Step by Step
- Stand close to the ball with the shaft upright.
- Feel your thumbs and fingers pointing down toward the ground.
- Swing back and through while keeping that “downward” wrist sensation.
- Focus on clean, crisp contact and predictable rollout.
The High Lob Shot Drill (Lead Wrist Extension)
The lob shot requires opening the clubface and keeping the lead wrist extended to hold loft.
Mastering this wrist position gives you the soft, high shots you need over bunkers or to short-sided pins.
The High Lob Shot Drill – Step by Step
- Widen your stance and set the clubface slightly open.
- Lower the shaft angle compared to the chip-and-run setup.
- In the backswing, hinge the wrists upward while keeping the lead wrist extended.
- Through impact and into the follow-through, maintain that extension so the face stays open.
- The ball should launch higher and land softly.
The Stock Mid-Flight Shot Drill (Radial Hinge + Pivot)
This “go-to” chip blends wrist hinge and body pivot. It’s the most versatile shot around the green, working from a wide variety of lies.
The Stock Mid-Flight Shot Drill – Step by Step
- Set up with a neutral shaft angle and ball in the middle of your stance.
- Begin the backswing with slight radial hinge (clubhead up) while rotating your torso.
- Maintain this angle as you pivot through to the target.
- Finish with your chest and belt buckle facing the hole, wrists quiet and controlled.
Plane Chipping Drill (Water Bottles Setup)
This simple indoor drill teaches you to keep the club on the proper swing plane instead of dragging it too far inside or outside.
- Video Timestamp: 0:21
Plane Chipping Drill – Step by Step
- Place four water bottles around the ball, creating a “lane” for the clubhead.
- Start with wider spacing, then narrow it as you improve.
- Swing back and through without hitting the bottles.
- Use foam or airflow balls if practicing indoors.
Toss-and-Chip Feel Drill
Distance control in chipping is mostly about touch. This drill trains your instincts by tossing a ball underhand toward a landing spot, then recreating that same feel with a wedge.
You can do this one indoors if you’d like and you don’t even need a wedge in your hands to get started.
- Video Timestamp: 2:11
Toss-and-Chip Feel Drill – Step by Step
- Place a small target like a bucket or basket.
- Toss balls underhand into the target from your setup posture.
- Focus only on the landing spot.
- Switch to your wedge and try to land chips in the same spot.
- Make it competitive by tracking how many in a row you can land on target.
Trail Arm Only Chipping Drill
By isolating the trail arm, this drill improves plane control and teaches you how the trail wrist supports the swing.
It’s a great way to develop better contact and connection.
Trail Arm Only Chipping Drill – Step by Step
- Grip the club with your trail arm only, resting your lead hand on your trail bicep.
- Make small swings, brushing the ground at the center of your stance.
- Focus on keeping the clubhead moving “up” on plane rather than sucking inside.
- Pivot your body through to finish facing the target.
- Start without a ball, then progress to hitting shots once comfortable.
Cross-Handed Chipping Drill
If wrist breakdown causes mishits, cross-handed chipping can stabilize your stroke. Tour pros like Matt Fitzpatrick use it for exactly that reason.
Cross-Handed Chipping Drill – Step by Step
- Grip the club with your lead hand low, trail hand high (cross-handed).
- Keep the lead arm and shaft forming a straight line throughout.
- Maintain slight trail wrist extension through the swing.
- Start with practice swings, then chip balls focusing on solid center-face contact.
- Use HackMotion to confirm wrist stability.
Lead Arm Only Chipping Drill
This pairs with the trail arm version, training you to manage radius and body connection with just your lead arm.
It builds rhythm and teaches how the arm and torso work together.
Lead Arm Only Chipping Drill – Step by Step
- Set up normally, then hold the club only with your lead arm.
- Rest your trail hand lightly on your lead bicep for connection.
- Make swings brushing the ground, keeping tempo and rhythm steady.
- Use the body pivot to help move the club, don’t rely only on the arm.
- Start without a ball, then introduce one (on a tee if needed) once you’re comfortable.
Final Thoughts
A strong short game is built when you have options of different types of shots to hit. Being able to hit low runners, stock chips, high soft shots, and adjust when lies aren’t perfect will make you a better player.
he drills above give you a mix of technical wrist training, feel development, and creative problem-solving.
Wear your HackMotion during practice and you’ll get clear measurements of extension, flexion, and hinge, making sure you’re not guessing about your technique.
The more you train these patterns, the more confident you’ll be when faced with a tough chip.
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