I was a scratch player in my younger days with many subpar rounds and was of the opinion nothing is static in the short game....I studied what Pelz preached about chipping. The terms chipping and pitching had different meanings....to me a chip was played more back in the stance even to the ankle and the ball came out low and ran...I used anything from a 60 degree to a 5 iron for it depending on lie and distance needed. To me a pitch was more of a lofted shot played more forward in stance (usually) which ran less and if done correct could stop quickly and take the ball over obstacles. I could actually do short pitches from the green itself without making a divot. Everything you say about the motion is correct in my humble opinion....the short shot is simply a short version of a full shot and something is always in motion........thanks
I had to download this one so it’s never lost. I have never been told this and I still spend a ton of money on lessons, including some with coaches consider the best. I can’t wait until I can get outside and try this.
Hey Zach, No doubt that the flow is important in the chip. It took me a long time to learn that. It was something that Seve did tremendously well. One thing that you only hinted at was shaft lean. The short game gurus today are saying that the shaft should be straight up and down at impact as opposed to having a forward shaft lean and that this allows the bounce to work properly. This is very different than previous generations of thought that espoused the forward shaft lean. What is your take?
Very thoughtful question. Obviously it depends on the shot and the trajectory, and wether or not you want to take a divot or not. But I think you are referring to a standard shot. I believe it is possible to lean the shaft forward, ensuring ball first contact and optimal trajectory(which for most is lower) but not take any divot. Some believe that if you lean the shaft forward at impact you will take a divot, and not engage the bounce, lending it to more mis hits. I don't believe this, the most important variable is to make clean contact, and having some shaft lean, upper body slightly forward, descending AOA, and great rhythm.
At the risk of nitpicking when you are talking about hitting shots over bunkers onto greens, that sounds like pitching (max air time min roll out) v chipping (minimum air time max roll out).
Same basic body motion should be applied for both. Differences between chip and pitch might be factors like, length of swing, face open or closed, take a divot or no divot.
Great Question definitely can do this for pitch shots. But for myself personally I start to employ more of a half wedge swing technique at about 40-50 yards. The half wedge technique is more similar to a full swing technique in that a you will push the handle forward at impact, and not the upper body.
Always love your videos but this seems like alot of ‘stuff’ to do in a really short amount of time…pressure shift, Tao left foot, head move forward then up and slightly back! Hard enough to do with 2 second full swing
You are right there are a few things happening in a short period of time. Think of it like pitching a penny about 15 feet in front of you. You would instinctively move with flow and rhythm in a certain pattern. The short game technique is no different in that sense. I see too many that our locked up and too still with the body during the swing, requiring the arms and hands to stab at the ball.
If the head moves forward a bit it looks like it will also take the top of the sternum with it - preventing that dern "sternum lean in the wrong direction" thing that can happen even when I *know* I've kept my weight on the left side! Reckon this also holds for bunker shots? Would explain a lot. . .
Funny how you stopped moving your left foot as the video went on. The pros never move that foot. A relaxing chip will usually automatically cause the weight shift and the head moving slightly to the hole. Sometimes things become too analytic in golf so I think that is to watch out for. Thanks for the ideas.
The left foot moving is just as a drill, and for those who have been to still during the swing. But you are correct, if you are relaxed and athletic, contact is clean a large majority of the time, don't worry about this.
I was a scratch player in my younger days with many subpar rounds and was of the opinion nothing is static in the short game....I studied what Pelz preached about chipping. The terms chipping and pitching had different meanings....to me a chip was played more back in the stance even to the ankle and the ball came out low and ran...I used anything from a 60 degree to a 5 iron for it depending on lie and distance needed. To me a pitch was more of a lofted shot played more forward in stance (usually) which ran less and if done correct could stop quickly and take the ball over obstacles. I could actually do short pitches from the green itself without making a divot. Everything you say about the motion is correct in my humble opinion....the short shot is simply a short version of a full shot and something is always in motion........thanks
Great explanation!
Wanted to say I've watched a lot of your videos and what you do is important, the swing is finally being taught correct. Ty
Glad to help
I had to download this one so it’s never lost. I have never been told this and I still spend a ton of money on lessons, including some with coaches consider the best. I can’t wait until I can get outside and try this.
Great idea, I always forget that we can do that.
Fantastic. I felt the difference immediately. Really frees up the stroke.
Glad to hear it worked quickly
Also the key is the Top of the spine must lean targetward otherwise you can bottom out too early.
Great point!
Great video, thank you!
You are welcome!
The great Bobby Jones absolutely said what you are showing, it's just a mini swing .
Very instructive video, thanks, Zach 👍
Thank You
the weight on the lead foot is it the pressure on the heel or front foot? when down swing
Right in the middle
Hey Zach, No doubt that the flow is important in the chip. It took me a long time to learn that. It was something that Seve did tremendously well. One thing that you only hinted at was shaft lean. The short game gurus today are saying that the shaft should be straight up and down at impact as opposed to having a forward shaft lean and that this allows the bounce to work properly. This is very different than previous generations of thought that espoused the forward shaft lean. What is your take?
Very thoughtful question. Obviously it depends on the shot and the trajectory, and wether or not you want to take a divot or not. But I think you are referring to a standard shot. I believe it is possible to lean the shaft forward, ensuring ball first contact and optimal trajectory(which for most is lower) but not take any divot. Some believe that if you lean the shaft forward at impact you will take a divot, and not engage the bounce, lending it to more mis hits. I don't believe this, the most important variable is to make clean contact, and having some shaft lean, upper body slightly forward, descending AOA, and great rhythm.
@@ZachAllenGolf Matches up with this, too. ua-cam.com/video/3oO3FuLtLfY/v-deo.html
At the risk of nitpicking when you are talking about hitting shots over bunkers onto greens, that sounds like pitching (max air time min roll out) v chipping (minimum air time max roll out).
Same basic body motion should be applied for both. Differences between chip and pitch might be factors like, length of swing, face open or closed, take a divot or no divot.
Would you say the same technique applies to pitch shots, and/or not to half wedge shots???
Great Question definitely can do this for pitch shots. But for myself personally I start to employ more of a half wedge swing technique at about 40-50 yards. The half wedge technique is more similar to a full swing technique in that a you will push the handle forward at impact, and not the upper body.
What type of club and loft are you using?
Here I was using my 58 degree wedge.
Always love your videos but this seems like alot of ‘stuff’ to do in a really short amount of time…pressure shift, Tao left foot, head move forward then up and slightly back! Hard enough to do with 2 second full swing
You are right there are a few things happening in a short period of time. Think of it like pitching a penny about 15 feet in front of you. You would instinctively move with flow and rhythm in a certain pattern. The short game technique is no different in that sense. I see too many that our locked up and too still with the body during the swing, requiring the arms and hands to stab at the ball.
@@ZachAllenGolf makes so much more sense! TU
If the head moves forward a bit it looks like it will also take the top of the sternum with it - preventing that dern "sternum lean in the wrong direction" thing that can happen even when I *know* I've kept my weight on the left side! Reckon this also holds for bunker shots? Would explain a lot. . .
Great point. And yes there is some of this going on in green side bunker shots.
Funny how you stopped moving your left foot as the video went on. The pros never move that foot.
A relaxing chip will usually automatically cause the weight shift and the head moving slightly to the hole. Sometimes things become too analytic in golf so I think that is to watch out for.
Thanks for the ideas.
The moving of the left foot is a (step) drill
The left foot moving is just as a drill, and for those who have been to still during the swing. But you are correct, if you are relaxed and athletic, contact is clean a large majority of the time, don't worry about this.
Made video for members, they become tour pros level in short game.
didnt need to tell them shit about this stuff