On Course Golf's Top 5 Chip Shots

on tour

Let’s talk wedges. It’s said that roughly 80% of your current handicap is a direct result of how well you play within 100m to the hole. Having wedges adequately fitted for your swing and course conditions is (in theory) an easy way to drop shots and improve your handicap. With terms like loft, bounce and grind, replacing your wedges can be confusing. Add to that the different degree options, it makes the process a difficult one.

It goes without saying Tour professionals know how to use their equipment, especially their wedges. Hours and hours and hours of practice to perfect the technique required to become a master with the wedge. By the time they get on tour, these pros make lofting the ball out of thick rough close to the hole (sometimes in the hole) look like the equivalent of us ordinary folk picking up the ball and throwing it towards the pin.

This week, we had the “very tough” task of searching YouTube for arguably the best chip shots of all time on tour. Check out our top 5 below.

#5. Bill Haas (2011)

Everything was on the line for Bill Haas. He had hit his second shot on the 17th hole at the Tour Championship left of the green and in the water.
Instead of taking a drop Haas hit the ball out of the water and went on to win the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup.

#4. Miguel Angel Jimenez (2010)

Miguel Angel Jimenez found himself in trouble after he hit his second shot on St Andrews’ famous Road Hole up against the wall.

Take a look at how the fan favourite got himself out of trouble.

#3. Tiger Woods (2012)

Tiger Woods could probably fill this list by himself, such is the genius of the 15-time Major winner.
Check out this beautiful shot at the 2012 Memorial Tournament. Woods would go on to win the competition that year for a fifth time.

Take a look at how the fan favourite got himself out of trouble.

#2. Tom Watson (1982)

Tom Watson’s second shot at the par-3 17th hole on the final day of the 1982 US Open at Pebble Beach was one of the greatest chip shots in golf history.
The chip-in the par 3 gave Watson a one-shot lead over Jack Nicklaus. He went on to birdie 18 to win by 2 strokes.

Take a look at how the fan favourite got himself out of trouble.

#1. Tiger Woods (2005)

This isn’t just one of the greatest chip shots of all time, this is perhaps one of the best shots of any type in golf’s history. And Woods’ chip-in for a birdie at the 16th also came at a crucial moment with Chris DiMarco breathing down his neck. Woods would go on to win the tournament in a play-off with DiMarco.

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