Is Chipping The Same As The Full Swing?

Russell Heritage looks at the differences between the small swing used for chipping and a full golf swing.

When chipping in golf, different techniques are needed compared to a full iron swing. In a full swing, as the downswing starts, the body initiates rotation which throws the hands and arms more out in front of the body, causing the club face to become more open.

To square the club face, forearm rotation is necessary. However, in chipping, the hands and arms work very close to the body, making forearm rotation unnecessary. Unlike a full swing, the club face should remain square when chipping. Russell Heritage, explains that using a short iron for chipping requires different techniques than for a full swing, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nuances of each shot.