Is breaking the wrists breaking the rules in chip shots?

One area I have struggled with in this game is the under 100 yards approach shot and the mid to short range chip shots.

I bought and have abandoned a chipper, quite possibly one of the most useless clubs I have ever comes across.

I am now trying to develop an arsenal that includes my 9 iron, my PW, and my SW. In doing so, I am starting to develop a sense for when I should use each. The problem remains that under certain circumstances I allow the situation to pull me back into bad habits: namely hitting in the middle of the ball or hitting behind it, especially when water comes into play..

I’ve learned a lot from this site and my teacher in how to keep the swing simple and to “hit down on the ball.” But I still get in trouble 30% of the time when I am not using a full swing with these clubs.

Okay, my long-winded point…

A friend of mine actually uses his wrists in short chip shots of say 40 yards and under. He does this amazing short backswing of say 10 cm and then continues by moving his wrists back (he calls it locking, but it seems more like unlocking to me) and then he comes back the 10 cm in his downswing while moving his wrists forward in the same motion to strike the ball. It looks so complicated and error prone; yet it works for him 95% of the time. I rarely see him mess this up, and when he does it is more a question of overpowering than hitting behind or mid-ball.

Does anyone use this method also, or is this another of those “it works for a few but not you” solutions I should stay away from? Basically, the thought of wrist usage to that degree when I have worked hard to reduce my wrist action seems a dangerous road to go down. At the same time, I am very tired of hitting great tee shots, or approaches to the hole only to put it in the drink or the bunker in the next shot.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers!

do a google search for a tac tic, it will stop you from breaking your wrists. Some people putt while flipping their hands at the ball, just like the chipping style you are talking about, I would not want to wager money on that in a pressure situation.

D,

I tend not to break my wrists in chipping yet do in pitching. Don't look for the quick fix - speak with your coach.

hi dadvocate,
chipping stroke is the same as putting stroke no wrist break!
if im 40 yds from green i would be playing a little bump and run with a 9i short backswing and small cocking of wrists.works for me!
hope this helps

I'm a follower of the Dave Pelz method.

Break the wrists on pitches, keep them firm on chips.