Chipping With a Hybrid or Fairway Wood
Also known as: chip with a hybrid, chipping with a hybrid, hybrid chip shot, chip with a fairway wood, chipping with a fairway wood, chip with a rescue club
Yes, you can chip with a hybrid or fairway wood. It works best from tight lies or the fringe when the ball can roll most of the way. Grip down, stand close and use a firm putting stroke. The wide sole glides over the grass instead of digging.
A hybrid chip is a putt with a bit of loft. The ball pops over the fringe and rolls out like a putt. Because the sole is wide and smooth, a slightly heavy strike still slides through, which a thin-soled wedge won't do.
Grip down to the bottom of the grip and stand close, with the shaft fairly upright. Play the ball in the middle of your stance. Rock your shoulders like a putting stroke and keep your wrists quiet.
The ball comes off hot and rolls far, so make a shorter stroke than you expect. It suits flat ground with nothing to carry. It is a poor choice from deep rough or when you need to stop the ball quickly.
Tips by skill level
Hit ten hybrid chips and ten putts from the same spot. Notice how much shorter the hybrid stroke needs to be.
Hybrid chips release more than wedge chips. Learn your hybrid's carry and roll for a few distances before using it in a round.
Example
His chips from tight lies are either fat or thin. He switches to his hybrid with a putting stroke, and the ball runs up close every time.
Why it matters
It gives nervous chippers a shot that is very hard to mishit. That saves strokes right away.
Common mistakes
- Making a full chipping motion with wrist hinge
- Standing too far away with the full length of the club
- Using it from thick rough
- Taking too long a stroke
Frequently asked questions
When should I chip with a hybrid instead of a wedge?
When the ball sits on a tight lie or the fringe with nothing to carry. A hybrid is easier to strike solidly than a wedge from there.
Can I chip with a fairway wood?
Yes, the method is the same as with a hybrid. The longer shaft is harder to control, so grip down further and practice the distance first.
Related terms
- Chip-and-RunA chip-and-run is a low, bouncing chip that gets on the green fast and rolls toward the hole. It is the safest choice when there is room between the ball and the green edge.
- Hybrid ClubA hybrid blends a fairway wood's wider sole and higher launch with an iron's shorter length and more upright lie. Long shots become easier to hit high and land softly than with a comparable long iron.
- Chipping From a Tight LieFrom a tight or bare lie, the safest play is usually to use less loft and roll the ball. A hybrid or 8-iron chipped like a long putt often works well. Play the ball in the middle of your stance, grip down, stand a little closer and lean the shaft toward the target. Make a small swing at your normal tempo that brushes the ground, rather than scooping with a lofted wedge.
- Texas WedgeA Texas wedge is a putt played from off the green, such as from the fringe, the apron or a firm fairway. Putt it when the grass between you and the green is short, smooth and dry. Many golfers find it easier to control than a chip, since a mishit putt rarely costs as much as a skulled or chunked chip.
- Chipping YipsTo fix the chipping yips, take the hands out of the stroke. Use a putting-style chip or a hinge-and-hold chip, and focus on a landing spot rather than the ball. Rebuild with easy chips, then add pressure slowly. If the twitch persists, work with a coach.
Related guides & benchmarks
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