Hitting Chip Shots from a Tight Lie

Hitting chip shots from a tight lie is difficult shot. If you hit behind it, the clubhead will either dig into the ground causing you to hit it fat or bounce back causing top shots. On the regular lie with some grass underneath the ball, the clubhead will slide a little even if you hit it a bit behind the ball. But from a tight lie, that won't happen so often. So you need to make sure you catch the ball first. It becomes even more important to hit it on the descending blow from this lie.

 

There are some important tips when hitting this shot.

1. Make sure you accelerate through impact
2. Keep your hands forward at impact
3. Try not to lift the ball up in the air. Keep your clubhead low to the ground after impact
4. Grip down on a club for more control
5. Play the ball slightly back of center

If the situation allows you, use less lofted club such as 9 iron or 8 iron and roll the ball toward the hole. Phil Mickelson said when he hits it from a tight lie, he tries to keep his hands ahead of the clubhead throughout the swing. This will also help you hit it with a descending blow. So you might want to try that. By gripping down on a club, you need to stand closer to the ball. That means your club shaft will be more vertical than usual. So grip down and stand closer to the ball. And try to feel like you are hitting it toward the toe of the clubface. This will help you catch the ball clean.

 

Reference: http://www.golfsamurai.net/short-game/chip-shot-tight-lie.htm