Chipping vs Pitching: Timed Drills to Know the Difference

Ask ten amateur golfers to explain the difference between a chip and a pitch, and you will get ten different answers -- most of them vague or incorrect. This confusion is not just semantic. It leads to poor shot selection around the greens, which is where the majority of strokes are lost. Understanding when to chip and when to pitch, and having practiced both under structured conditions, is one of the fastest ways to lower your scores.

Defining the Shots

A chip is a low-running shot where the ball spends more time on the ground than in the air. It uses a putting-like motion with minimal wrist hinge, and the ball is played back in the stance with hands pressed forward. Think of it as an extended putt that happens to get briefly airborne to clear the fringe.

A pitch is a higher shot where the ball spends more time in the air than on the ground. It requires a longer swing with wrist hinge and some body rotation. The ball is played more centrally in the stance, and the swing produces backspin that controls the ball after landing.

The decision between the two depends primarily on how much green you have to work with between you and the hole, and any obstacles between the ball and the putting surface.

Drill 1: The Chip Ladder (8 Minutes)

Set up three targets on the green at 10, 20, and 30 feet from the fringe. Using your chipping club (typically a 7-iron, 8-iron, or 9-iron), hit chips to each target in sequence. The goal is to land the ball on your chosen landing spot and let it run to the target. Focus on consistent contact and controlling the landing point rather than the final resting place -- if your landing is consistent, the roll will take care of itself.

Drill 2: The Pitch Height Control (10 Minutes)

Using your lob wedge or sand wedge, set up 15 yards from the flag. Hit three different pitch shots: a low runner that lands at the front of the green, a mid-height pitch that lands halfway to the hole, and a high pitch that lands near the hole with maximum spin. Each shot uses the same club but different ball position, shaft lean, and swing length.

This drill trains versatility. Most amateurs have one pitch shot -- usually a generic scoop. Tour players can produce multiple trajectories from the same distance, giving them far more options around the green.

Drill 3: The Decision Maker (12 Minutes)

This is where the training comes together. Drop balls in different positions around the green -- some near the fringe with lots of green to work with, others farther back with bunkers or rough between you and the pin. Before each shot, you have 10 seconds to decide: chip or pitch? Then execute the chosen shot. The 10-second decision window trains the quick, confident assessment you need on the course.

The general rule of thumb: if you can putt it, putt. If you cannot putt but have green to work with, chip. If you are short-sided, have to carry an obstacle, or need the ball to stop quickly, pitch. Practice this decision tree until it becomes automatic.

• Lots of green, no obstacles: chip with a less-lofted club (7-9 iron)
• Moderate green, flat lie: chip with pitching wedge or gap wedge
• Short-sided or need to carry rough/bunker: pitch with sand or lob wedge
• Downhill to the pin: always chip -- a pitch on a downslope is extremely risky
• Uphill to the pin: pitch is safer -- the slope will stop the ball

Drill 4: The 10-Ball Scramble (10 Minutes)

Scatter 10 balls in various positions around one hole -- some within chipping distance, others requiring pitches. Set your timer for 90-second intervals. During each interval, play as many balls as possible, choosing the correct shot type for each. Score yourself: within 3 feet of the hole is a success. Your goal is to get 7 out of 10 within the success zone.

Drill 5: Lie Variation Practice (8 Minutes)

The shot selection changes dramatically based on the lie. From a tight lie on firm ground, chips are generally safer because there is no room for the bounce of a wedge to work. From fluffy rough, pitches become easier because you can slide the club under the ball. From a divot or bare patch, a chip with a steeper angle of attack is your best option.

During each 2-minute work interval, alternate between three different lies. Force yourself to adjust both the shot type and the technique for each lie. This builds adaptability -- the skill that separates single-digit golfers from everyone else around the greens.

Putting It All Together

Dedicate one practice session per week exclusively to chipping and pitching. Alternate between the drills above, spending 30-40 minutes total with structured intervals. Within a few weeks, you will notice something remarkable: around the greens, you will stop deliberating and start deciding. You will see the shot, know whether it is a chip or a pitch, select the right club, and execute with confidence. That decisiveness, built through repetitive timed practice, is worth more than any swing tip or equipment upgrade.