Golf Chipping Tips: Why Focusing on Your Landing Spot Lowers Scores Fast
Golfer practicing a chipping landing spot drill on the green to improve short game consistency.
Why Pick a Landing Spot When Chipping?
When it comes to chipping, most golfers focus on where the ball is going. But here’s the key: it’s about where the ball lands.
Why is this important? Choosing a landing spot gives you a clear target, helping you reduce the guesswork and not focus on your technique. It’s like setting a destination before starting a road trip—you know exactly where you're headed, and you can plan the best route to get there.
All chip shots will roll at least a little and some even more. Where you first land the ball will determine how close it ends up to the hole.
Recently I heard, short game wizard, Phil Mickelson talking about how he focuses only on the land spot directly before he hits any chip shot.
To hit your best shot, it's essential to have a clear target. Looking at the hole can create confusion about where you actually want the ball to land.
Golf ball mid-flight toward a chosen landing zone during a chipping visualization drill.
By focusing solely on your landing spot, you give your mind the clarity it needs to execute a shot that lands and rolls close to your target.
When stepping up to a greenside shot I suggest you take these 3 steps for best results:
Analyze the lie and determine what type of shot you need to hit
Figure out how much roll the ball will have once it lands on the green
Then pick the optimal landing spot for it to end up as close as possible to the hole
Once you have completed those 3 steps start your pre-shot routine and hit the shot.
Golf chipping setup showing a target landing spot marked on the green to guide shot selection.
Pro Tip: Visualize the chip’s arc before you hit it. Use the spot where you want the ball to land, and let that guide your shot. This simple shift in focus can help you control your distance, making your chips more consistent and accurate.
Closer chips mean shorter putts and ultimately lower scores!
Next time you’re out on the course, give it a try—focus only on the landing spot and see how much it improves your short game!
Ready to upgrade your short game and mental approach? Schedule a lesson with John Lemmon—Dayton’s golf mindset and performance coach—available both in person and online.
Check out this easy indoor chipping practice setup so you can work on your game all year long!
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