Alright, let’s talk about this thing called a chipper golf club. I kept hearing whispers about it, saw a couple of older guys using something that looked like a weird putter near the green. Honestly, I kinda brushed it off at first. Seemed like another gadget, you know? Like those square drivers from back in the day. Didn’t think much of it.
But my short game… well, let’s just say it wasn’t always my strong suit. Some days I’d be deadly with my 8-iron bump-and-run, other days I’d chunk it, blade it, you name it. Frustrating. Especially those little fiddly shots just off the fringe where you don’t need a full wedge swing but putting feels wrong.
Giving it a Go
So, one Saturday, I was browsing in the local golf shop, just killing time really. And there it was, a rack of chippers. Different brands, but they all looked pretty similar – kinda like a putter head but with more loft, maybe like a 7 or 8 iron’s worth, and usually with a putter-length shaft. I picked one up. Felt weird. Definitely heavier than a putter, shorter than my irons.
The guy in the shop saw me looking. He came over, said, “Ah, the chipper! Great for folks who struggle around the greens.” We chatted a bit. He basically said you swing it like a putter, nice and smooth, pendulum motion. Takes the wrist action out of it, which is where I often messed up my chips.
I thought, “What the heck.” It wasn’t super expensive. Less than a new wedge, anyway. So, I bought one. Took it home, feeling a bit silly, like I’d just bought snake oil.
Hitting the Practice Green (and Backyard)
First thing I did was take it out back. Just set up a few balls about 10-15 feet from a bucket. Stood to it like a putt. Same grip, same stance, just focused on a smooth back-and-through stroke.
Wow. Okay, the first few were a bit clumsy, getting the distance right. But the contact! It was consistently solid. The ball popped up gently, landed soft, and rolled out towards the target. It was almost… easy? Too easy?
- No digging the leading edge like with a wedge.
- No thin shots screaming across the green.
- Just a consistent little pop and roll.
I spent maybe 30 minutes just hitting little chips. Then I took it to the actual practice green at the course later that week. Same results. From the fringe, from the short rough just off the green… it just worked. It felt really stable through the stroke, much more than trying to chip with a wedge using a small swing.
Taking it to the Course
The real test, right? Stuck it in the bag, replacing my 4-iron for the round (don’t hit that club much anyway). First few holes, didn’t need it. Then, on the 5th, I pushed my approach shot just right of the green. Sitting on that really short fringe grass, maybe 20 feet from the pin.
Normally, I’d debate between putting through it (risky with the thicker grass) or trying a delicate little chip with my pitching wedge (even riskier for me sometimes). Pulled out the chipper. Took my putting stance, nice easy stroke… Pop, roll, stopped about 2 feet from the hole. Tapped in for par. Okay, maybe there’s something to this.
Used it a few more times that round. Mostly for those shots from 5-15 yards off the green where I just needed to get the ball rolling like a putt. It wasn’t magic. You still have to read the green and pick your line. But it definitely simplified the strike. It made getting the ball airborne just enough and rolling much, much easier for me compared to trying the same shot with a wedge or an iron.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Look, it’s not a miracle club. It’s got one job: hit short, low-running chips from just off the green. It’s basically designed for the bump-and-run shot, but easier to hit consistently than using an iron or wedge for many people, myself included.
What it’s not:
- It’s not for hitting high, soft-landing flop shots over a bunker. You still need your wedges for that.
- It’s not for chipping out of thick rough (usually). The head design isn’t great for cutting through heavy grass.
- It’s not a putter, even though you swing it like one.
What it is (for me):
- It’s a confidence booster for those tricky little shots around the green.
- It simplifies the technique – just think ‘putting stroke’.
- It leads to more consistent contact and reduces those awful fat or thin chip shots.
Do I use it every round? No. Sometimes I feel good with my wedges. But on days when I’m feeling shaky, or if I have that perfect little shot for it, you bet I pull it out. It’s like having a little safety net for my short game. If you struggle with chipping, especially the yips or inconsistent contact just off the green, maybe give one a try. Borrow one if you can, or pick up a cheap used one. You might be surprised. I certainly was.
