Deciding Whether to Pitch or Chip

Video Transcript

Hi, I am Shannon Hamel, a Master Instructor for the Jim McLean Golf School at Doral. Should I chip or should I pitch? This is a common question asked by many golfers, especially when they are around the green. One thing that might help you make this choice in the future is to know the definition of these two shots. A chip shot is designed to be a small stroke that you use when you are right around the green and there is nothing between you and the edge of the green. A chip shot has the least amount of air-time and the most time of roll-time possible. Get the ball on the green and let it roll. Pitching on the other hand is the opposite. A pitch is designed to carry something, it is a bigger swing and therefore has more room for error. It is used to carry either water, a bunker or to hit the ball up on to an elevated green. The next time you are faced with the question, should I pitch or should I chip, first assess the situation. If you can program yourself to think chip before pitch, then the odds of your shot succeeding will go way up.

Shannon Hamel
Doral Golf Resort & Spa
4400 NW 87th Avenue
Miami, FL 33178
Tel: 305-591-6409
Tel: 800-72-DORAL

A graduate of the University of Miami, Shannon has been with the Jim McLean Golf School for eight years. Shannon is one of the golf school's most sought after instructors and teaches year-round at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.