The Other Frustrating Miss Around the Greens
If blading chips sends the ball flying, chunking it barely gets the ball off the ground.
You catch the turf first, the ball goes nowhere, and suddenly a simple shot becomes a mess.
It is one of the most common issues golfers face, and the good news is that it is usually easy to fix.
Why Chunked Chips Happen
Chunking comes down to where your club hits the ground. If the club bottoms out too early, you hit the turf first and then the ball.
Here are the main causes.
1. Weight Too Far Back
This is the biggest one.
If your weight sits on your back foot, the bottom of your swing moves backwards with it and the club hits the ground too early. The result is a chunk.
2. Trying to Scoop the Ball
Very similar to blading, just a different outcome.
When golfers try to help the ball into the air or flick their hands at it, the club loses its natural strike point.
3. Too Much Movement in the Swing
Chipping should be simple, but many golfers shift too much and move their body excessively. That makes contact inconsistent.
4. Poor Low Point Control
Good chipping comes down to a consistent strike location. If your low point is behind the ball you will chunk it, and if it is too far forward you will thin it. Control here is everything.
Simple Fixes That Actually Work
Let us keep this practical and easy to apply.
1. Lean Slightly Forward
Keep your weight favouring your front foot, and keep it there throughout the swing. This moves your strike forward.
2. Keep Your Chest Moving Through
A common issue is stopping through impact. Instead, keep your chest turning and let the club follow your body. That prevents the club digging early.
3. Let the Loft Do the Work
You do not need to scoop it. Think about brushing the grass after the ball, which promotes clean contact.
4. Simplify the Motion
Less is more. A small swing with minimal moving parts gives you more consistency and better results.
Blading vs Chunking
Chunking means the club hits the ground too early. Blading means the club catches the ball too high. Both come from poor low point control, and I have covered the other side of it in why you keep blading your chip shots.
A Smarter Option Worth Remembering
If the shot allows it, putt it instead. From just off the green it is more predictable and there is far less that can go wrong. There is more on that in should you chip or putt from off the green.
Want to Fix This Faster?
Short game is one of the quickest ways to lower your scores. If you are struggling with contact, half an hour of coaching with one of our PGA Professionals will usually find the cause faster than working it out alone. The right wedge in your hands makes it easier again, and if the bounce is fighting the turf you play, that is something we can look at in a club fitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I chunk chips more under pressure?
Because tension and poor weight control creep in.
Should I change clubs to stop chunking?
Sometimes, but setup and technique are usually the main issue.
Is chunking more common than blading?
Both are very common and often linked.
Final Thoughts
Chunked chips are not random. They come from weight being in the wrong place, trying to help the ball, and inconsistent movement.
Keep it simple, stay slightly forward, and let the club do the work. If you want to build the whole thing from scratch, work through how to chip consistently.
Happy golfing,
Scott
