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SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — The 2026 U.S. Open is going to be one of the best chipping majors in recent times. I'm convinced of it. The wind means players are going to miss a lot of them; the slopes around the greens mean they're going to hit some interesting chip shots to get up and down.
So that's what I've been looking at during the practice rounds ahead of the tournament, and noticed pros practicing a variety of different chip shots.
Let's break them down.
1. Heel-up high-handle
Here's a low-maintenance shot that every amateur should have in their bag. It's the high handle chip shot. It's essentially a putt with a modified wedge setup.
This shot jumps early then rolls out, with no spin, very similar to a putt. Good for short-range chip shots where you have a small amount of fringe that you want to fly over, and then a longer amount of green you want the ball to roll through.
2. Into the upslope
The goal of this one is to land your ball into the upslope, which kills the momentum of the ball, then begins trickling towards the hole.
When pros are short-sided and there's a large uphill slope between them and the hole, bumping into the slope is one of two options pros use to kill the speed of the shot—though it depends on the firmness of the greens, as Rory McIlroy explains.
"The greens are pretty soft already, or they were yesterday, which actually makes some of the shots around the greens more difficult because the ball runs away from the greens, and then you're chipping up into the slopes, and the softer the green is, the harder it is to get the ball back up the slope and, like, bump it into the hills. The firmer the green is, it almost makes the bump and runs a little easier. Sometimes the softness of the green actually makes the short game a little trickier and tougher."
Your browser does not support the video tag. 3. The dead-lander
The ball comes out high but lands dead. The ball doesn't stop on the green because of spin; it stops because its descent angle is so steep.
When the greens are soft and spongy, bumping into the slope takes too much speed off the shot, which is when players try to go over it entirely, while still making sure it lands soft and trickles out.
4. Texas wedge
It's literally just a putt. The ball rolls entirely along the ground, through a portion of longer grass.
When you're trying to avoid disaster (take note, amateurs) and the grass around the green is low enough that you don't have to make too long a putting stroke, and that rolling your ball through it won't bobble the ball excessively.
5. Slow-checker
The ball comes out low, flies about half way to the hole, checks subtly to slow down, then rolls out.
Medium-distance chip shots. You're not too far from the hole, and you've got a decent amount of greenspace to work with, but the first third or so of your chip shot requires flying over something. The shot is featured heavily in this video:
6. High Zipper
The ball comes out high with more ball speed and lands with lots of spin.
When pros are very short-sided, and need to use everything in their power to stop the ball as quickly as you can.
7. Low zipper
The Scottie special. The ball comes out low with lots of speed, skids upon landing, then checks aggressively once the ball finally does grab. The ball pulls the emergency brake hard at the very end.
When you've got a longer amount of distance between you and the hole, including slopes or grass that you want to fly your ball over, but want to avoid excessive roll out. Perhaps due to a slope running off the green after the hole.
Continue reading...
So that's what I've been looking at during the practice rounds ahead of the tournament, and noticed pros practicing a variety of different chip shots.
Let's break them down.
1. Heel-up high-handle
Here's a low-maintenance shot that every amateur should have in their bag. It's the high handle chip shot. It's essentially a putt with a modified wedge setup.
- Stand closer
- Choke down
- Play the ball slightly off the toe
- Make a putting stroke
This shot jumps early then rolls out, with no spin, very similar to a putt. Good for short-range chip shots where you have a small amount of fringe that you want to fly over, and then a longer amount of green you want the ball to roll through.
2. Into the upslope
The goal of this one is to land your ball into the upslope, which kills the momentum of the ball, then begins trickling towards the hole.
- Ball back in stance
- Lean shaft forward
- Minimal wrist hinge
When pros are short-sided and there's a large uphill slope between them and the hole, bumping into the slope is one of two options pros use to kill the speed of the shot—though it depends on the firmness of the greens, as Rory McIlroy explains.
"The greens are pretty soft already, or they were yesterday, which actually makes some of the shots around the greens more difficult because the ball runs away from the greens, and then you're chipping up into the slopes, and the softer the green is, the harder it is to get the ball back up the slope and, like, bump it into the hills. The firmer the green is, it almost makes the bump and runs a little easier. Sometimes the softness of the green actually makes the short game a little trickier and tougher."
Your browser does not support the video tag. 3. The dead-lander
The ball comes out high but lands dead. The ball doesn't stop on the green because of spin; it stops because its descent angle is so steep.
- Ball more forward in stance
- Clubface more open
- Lower handle at setup
When the greens are soft and spongy, bumping into the slope takes too much speed off the shot, which is when players try to go over it entirely, while still making sure it lands soft and trickles out.
4. Texas wedge
It's literally just a putt. The ball rolls entirely along the ground, through a portion of longer grass.
- Putting setup
- Longer stroke
When you're trying to avoid disaster (take note, amateurs) and the grass around the green is low enough that you don't have to make too long a putting stroke, and that rolling your ball through it won't bobble the ball excessively.
5. Slow-checker
The ball comes out low, flies about half way to the hole, checks subtly to slow down, then rolls out.
- Ball back
- Square clubface
- Handle outside hands on takeaway
Medium-distance chip shots. You're not too far from the hole, and you've got a decent amount of greenspace to work with, but the first third or so of your chip shot requires flying over something. The shot is featured heavily in this video:
6. High Zipper
The ball comes out high with more ball speed and lands with lots of spin.
- Ball forward
- Open clubface
- More wrist hinge
- More clubhead speed
When pros are very short-sided, and need to use everything in their power to stop the ball as quickly as you can.
7. Low zipper
The Scottie special. The ball comes out low with lots of speed, skids upon landing, then checks aggressively once the ball finally does grab. The ball pulls the emergency brake hard at the very end.
- Ball forward
- Open clubface
- More shaft lean
- More clubhead speed
When you've got a longer amount of distance between you and the hole, including slopes or grass that you want to fly your ball over, but want to avoid excessive roll out. Perhaps due to a slope running off the green after the hole.
Continue reading...
