Which short game shot is best to understand?

Welcome to Play Smart, GOLF.com's regular game improvement column that will help you play smarter, better golf.

If you're getting close to the green – but not putting well – it's important to have a variety of shots in your arsenal. Different situations call for different types of shots, so it's important to hit the one that will get the ball closest to the hole.

The two most useful (and common) short game shots are chips and pitches, and each has its advantages. But which one is best for beginner golfers to rely on? For answers to that, we turn to GOLF Top 100 teacher Jon Tattersall.

Chipping

Chip shots are usually played from the edges of the green. The goal is for the ball to come out lower than the pitch shot and roll more down on the way to the hole.

“Normally, you put the ball back and lean the shaft forward,” Tattersall said. “And usually people try to hit it down and push the handle forward.”

This is a great shot if you need to keep the ball low and don't have too much trouble between your ball and the hole.

Throwing

Pitch shots can be played right at the edge of the green, but are usually played on slightly longer shots. The goal is to use the basics of a full swing and carry the ball further than you would on a chip shot.

“He has the ball in the middle, [and] he's on your left leg,” said Tattersall. “And then you really try to feel the momentum of the swing of the club.”

Using this technique is ideal if you need to move the ball forward or need a higher position when shooting.

Which is better?

Chips and pitches each have their own advantages and specific situations in which each should be used. However, when Tattersall teaches his students, he likes them to focus on using pitch shots most of the time.

His thinking? Build on the foundations of full flexibility.

“I want them to put it in because it helps a lot with stuff,” Tattersall said. “[The chipping technique] it doesn't fall well on any other golf shot. It is a very direct method. You can do it well, but it doesn't help you with everything else.”

If you're on a tight schedule with your practice schedule, dedicate that short game time to pitching instead of pitching. Not only will you learn to master the single most important shot in golf, you'll also be able to take that technique and apply it to all of your swing shots.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Before joining the GOLF team, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists in all instruction and covers youth and women's golf. He can be reached at [email protected].