Assess the situation to determine whether you should chip. Your golf ball is somewhat close to the green. First you should decide that you are unable to putt because of an obstacle or the grass is too long. Chipping is your second choice where you have less ground to carry than green to work with, or where it is okay to land the ball short of the green or on the fringe and permit the ball to roll the rest of the distance.

Select the appropriate club and the landing spot. The first step in selecting the appropriate club is to assess the lie. The worse the lie, the more you'll want to position your golf ball back in your stance. This will help you to catch the golf ball more on the downswing. The more you shift the ball back in your posture, the more you'll decrease the effective loft of the club.

The next step in selecting the golf club is to establish the nearest point to you, preferably somewhat flat and neatly trimmed, where you can land the ball. Select the bordering spot accessible because this will permit you to take the smallest golf stroke. Again, the smaller the golf stroke, the less chance of error you'll encounter.

Once you have selected your landing spot, you will want to estimate the distance from your golf ball to that spot relative to the distance from that landing spot to the target. If you determine that one-quarter of the total distance is to the landing spot and three quarters is from there to the target, you would choose a 9 iron. You do remember that the sand wedge is one-half carry and one-half roll. As you go to pitching wedge, then the 9 iron, etc, the basic denominator changes to one-third, one-quarter, etc.

Next, take your practice stroke or strokes while looking at your target, which is the landing spot. You want to be looking at the target during your practice stroke to ensure you have a good visual feel for the carry distance. Practice strokes should mimic the one you will actually take with the ball. This should include the same setup, stroke size, and rhythm. The purpose of this rehearsal stroke is to determine what size stroke you will make, so that during the actual stroke you are repeating something that you have just felt rather than having a new experience.

Now that you have chosen your landing area and your golf club and taken your practice stroke, it is time to move forward. As in your golf putting routine, your first step in setting up is to aim the club face to the mark, then position your body to the club. Remember to grip down and step in, and your golf ball position should be centered to back, based upon the lie or desired route.

Your posture should be narrow with your left foot pulled slightly back. Your weight should be favoring your left and stay there throughout your golf stroke so that your club shaft should angle slightly forward toward the target. Once you completely set up, take one last look to your target, look back at your golf ball and make the stroke. Your actual golf stroke should be an effort to repeat precisely what you have studied in your practice strokes.

When your goals become easily accomplished, increase the difficulty and practice, practice, practice again!