Toe Chips?

Ever get caught in a really bad lie -- deeeeeep rough or in a slight hole just off the green -- and you don't know a shot that can dig it out?

This bizarre little shot that I found over at golftipsmag.com just might be the answer. Lee Huntley (LPGA/PGA teacher) did the video. I'll add a few observations underneath it.



Pretty nifty little shot, eh? I've heard instructors talk about it, but this is the first video I've seen that went into any detail about how to hit it.

Okay, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

• When you get the club up on its toe, the face may be a little open. Practice this shot a little on the range so you know how much; it'll make it easier to aim the shot.
• Lee says to keep your hands quiet but it looks like she's cocking her wrists, doesn't it? The face-on view at the end tells the tale. Your lead wrist stays flat -- that is, your lead forearm and the club shaft form a straight line throughout the shot -- but your trailing wrist cocks a little to create power. She says to put a bit more weight on your lead leg; this helps create the downward motion.
• NOT MENTIONED BUT IMPORTANT! This is primarily an arm swing. Your shoulders don't turn very much. Why is this important? The less your shoulders turn, the less you swing around your body. The less you swing around yourself, the easier it is to make solid and accurate contact. Shoulder turn is for creating power, and you don't need much power here at all; you need an accurate strike. All you want to do is dig the ball out of the hole, not pitch it 40 or 50 yards.

This can be a very useful shot when the ball is just off the green but sitting down in the rough or a depression. Just make sure you practice it a little before you try it on the course or you may find yourself in a similar problem on the other side of the green!