Scottie Scheffler appears to have a knack for chipping in during every round he plays lately; PGA Professional Jack Backhouse delves into his technique to uncover the secrets behind this phenomenon.
In 2024, Scottie Scheffler had an impressive run, securing victory in four PGA Tour events: the Arnold Palmer, The Players, The Masters, and the RBC Heritage. While his driving and iron play are widely acknowledged, his skill in the short game is often overlooked. In this video, I analyze his technique for executing low chip shots to glean insights that can benefit all golfers.
Scottie Scheffler Chipping Analysis: Set-Up
For these shots, Scottie opts for a high lofted wedge, suitable for the grass he typically plays on. He positions himself very close to the ball and plays it back in his stance to reduce the loft of the club and create a steeper attack angle.
While it may not be advisable for the average golfer to use their most lofted club for low chip shots due to the associated risks, practicing this technique can help in achieving a low shot with spin.
Backswing
In his backswing, Scheffler raises the club on a steep plane with a closed club face. He utilizes his right wrist to hinge the club up, causing his left wrist to bow and the club face to close.
As he moves the club back, Scottie Scheffler shifts his weight onto his front foot by leaning his left hip forward towards the target.
These movements contribute to closing the clubface, steepening the attack angle, and advancing the low point of his swing. These elements collectively result in a low flight with a high lofted club.
Downswing
The downswing phase showcases the brilliance of Scottie Sheffler’s chipping technique. By de-lofting the club during the backswing and transferring his weight forward onto the front foot, he executes a smooth drop of the arms without the need for club manipulation.
During the downswing, as the club approaches impact, Scottie begins to elevate and lift his head, gaining approximately 3 inches in height. While this may contrast with the common advice of keeping the head down, it effectively prevents the club from crashing into the ground and digging deep.
Into the Finish
During the finish, Scheffler ensures the clubhead does not pass his hands significantly and maintains some angle in his right wrist to keep the loft low and deliver a low strike.
He progressively elevates into a tall finish, guiding the clubhead towards the target line for an effective and polished finish position.
What can we learn?
Scottie Scheffler’s chipping style deviates from the conventional ‘shallow, brush the grass’ technique commonly taught for chipping with a lofted club. His steep chipping approach, combined with precise wrist angles and height management, exemplifies the effectiveness of this unique technique.
To master Scottie Scheffler’s low chip shot, consider the following key points:
- Ensure a perfect set-up: ball positioned back, hands forward, and maintain proximity to the ball.
- Focus on wrist angles: initiate a steep club pickup by hinging the trail wrist and bowing the lead wrist.
- Manage height effectively: elevate during the downswing – do not fixate on keeping your head down!
If you found this analysis of Scottie Scheffler’s chip shot insightful, stay tuned for more swing analyses of tour winners in the future.
