2 Way Chipper Golf Club: How to Choose and Use One for Better Short Game

A 2 way chipper golf club gives you two different striking faces in one head, so you can switch between a chipping surface and a putting surface without carrying an extra club. This guide explains how the design works, how to pick the right loft and length, and how to practice with it so your short game improves. By the end, you will know how to set up each face, choose a sensible starting spec, and avoid the mistakes that keep most players from getting value out of one.

What a 2 Way Chipper Golf Club Actually Is

A 2 way chipper golf club is a short-game tool built with a flat or near-flat face on one side and a lofted chipping face on the other. The flat side behaves much like a putter face, rolling the ball along the ground, while the lofted side lifts it for shots that need to carry a short distance and then release. Some versions are sold as “putter-chippers” and others as “chipper-putters,” and the naming varies by manufacturer, so read the spec sheet instead of relying on the label.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 6 Best Golf Chipper Clubs for Short Game Control (2026).

The appeal is simplicity. Instead of deciding between a wedge, a short iron, or a putter for every shot just off the green, you choose a face and make a stroke. For players who struggle to judge loft and roll, that reduction in decisions can make a real difference.

Step 1: Decide Which Face You Will Use Most

Before buying or setting up a club, be honest about your short game. Most players fall into one of two groups. Some want a putting-style stroke for the majority of their around-the-green shots, and they rarely need a high, soft chip. Others miss more chips than putts and want the lofted face to do the heavy lifting. Your answer determines which features matter most.

• If you chip from the fringe mostly with a putting motion, prioritize a flat face that is true and stable.
• If you hit a lot of shots from thick or uneven lies, prioritize the loft, sole shape, and bounce on the chipping face.
• If you play lots of links-style courses with firm ground, a lower-bounce chipping face often works better.

Step 2: Check Loft, Length, and Lie on the Chipping Face

The lofted side is where most of the design differences show up. Manufacturers typically list a loft somewhere in the range commonly used for pitching and chipping, and they may list lie angle and length separately for each face. Because the two faces share one shaft, the shaft length and lie angle usually have to work for both, which is a compromise.

For a standard setup, aim for a length that lets your eyes sit roughly over the ball at address and a lie that keeps the sole flat when you look down at it. If the toe lifts, the lie is too upright for you. If the heel lifts, it is too flat. These checks take a minute on a mat and prevent a lot of thin and fat shots later.

Quick setup checklist

1. Stand in your normal address position with the chipping face behind the ball.
2. Confirm the hands sit slightly ahead of the ball, roughly similar to a chip.
3. Check that the sole sits flat, with no obvious toe or heel gap.
4. Hit ten chips and note whether contact is consistently low on the face.
5. Flip to the flat face and hit ten putts from 3 to 5 feet to confirm the lie works there too.

Step 3: Learn the Putting Face Separately

The flat face needs its own setup check. Because it is not a true putter, your stroke may need small adjustments. Keep your grip pressure light, keep the stroke short and pendulum-like, and avoid flipping the wrists. Set up with the ball slightly forward of center and take a relaxed grip. If you already putt with a blade or mallet, this will feel familiar. If you usually putt with a face-balanced model, you may find the flat side a bit more forgiving on short putts and a bit less stable on long ones.

Practice both faces on a putting mat with alignment lines, because it is easy to let the club drift open or closed when you switch. Using an alignment stick on the ground helps you check your aim line. For more on that technique, see How to Use Golf Alignment Sticks: A Step-by-Step Guide for Straighter Putts.

Step 4: Build a Practice Routine That Transfers to the Course

A 2 way chipper golf club only saves strokes if you can switch between faces quickly and accurately. A simple practice block works well. Spend ten minutes on a mat with three ball positions: a short putt from the fringe, a chip from just off the green, and a longer chip that needs to land and roll. Alternate faces every few balls so you practice selecting the right one.

Track your results with a simple scorecard. Count how many balls finish within a club length of the hole for each shot type. Over a few weeks, you will see which face needs more work. Many players also benefit from studying the broader short-game principles covered in Alignment Sticks Golf Drills: 8 Setup Drills to Fix Your Stroke, which apply to both faces.

Distance control drill

Place three tees at 5, 10, and 15 feet from a target on the green. Hit five chips at each distance with the lofted face, then five putts with the flat face from the same spots. Record how many finish inside a 3-foot circle around the target. Aim to improve that count each week rather than chasing perfect results.

Step 5: Compare Options by Feature, Not by Hype

When you shop, compare specifications and design features that you can verify on the product page. The table below summarizes what to look for and why it matters.

Feature	What to check	Why it matters
Putting face	Flat, stable, with a clear alignment line	Determines accuracy on short and medium putts
Chipping loft	Listed loft on the lofted side	Controls how high and how far the ball carries
Sole and bounce	Sole width and shape on the chipping face	Affects performance from tight lies versus soft turf
Shaft length	Fits your address posture	Influences posture, consistency, and contact
Lie angle	Sole sits flat at address	Prevents toe-up or heel-up contact
Grip	Comfortable and consistent with your other clubs	Supports a light, steady hold

Owners often report that the club feels most useful once they stop asking it to replace every short-game club. If you still carry a dedicated wedge for high, soft shots from deep rough, the two-way design works as a supplement rather than a full replacement.

Common Mistakes

• Gripping too tightly on the flat face. Tension shortens the stroke and causes jabs. Keep pressure light and consistent.
• Ignoring lie angle. A sole that does not sit flat leads to inconsistent contact on both faces.
• Switching faces without a routine. Choose the face before you walk up to the ball so your setup matches the shot.
• Practicing only one face. You need reps with both, or the weaker side will cost you strokes on the course.
• Expecting it to fix a poor chip. The club makes some shots simpler, but it does not replace solid contact and tempo.

Tips for Getting Value Quickly

• Practice the lofted face with a consistent weight shift toward your lead side.
• Keep the flat face aimed by lining up a seam or alignment mark on the ball.
• Use the flat face first on your practice days so the stroke feels familiar before you chip.
• Keep your short-game practice short and frequent rather than occasional and long.

Recommended gear

A few supporting items make practice with a 2 way chipper golf club more productive. These are general short-game aids rather than endorsements of any single design.

• Putting mat with alignment lines – A long, true mat helps you check face angle and path on both sides of the club. View on Amazon
• Alignment sticks – Laid on the ground, they confirm your aim for chips and putts so you can spot drift quickly. View on Amazon
• Chipping practice net – A small net keeps balls close while you work on distance control and contact. View on Amazon
• Pivot-style putting training aid – Useful for keeping the flat face square through a short stroke. View on Amazon

FAQ

Is a 2 way chipper golf club legal in tournament play?

Most designs that meet the Rules of Golf conform, but you should check the manufacturer’s conformance information and the rules of your specific event before playing. Organizers and governing bodies can have different requirements.

Can a 2 way chipper golf club replace my putter?

It can for some players, especially those who mainly putt short and medium distances. Many golfers still prefer a dedicated putter for long putts and fast greens because the stroke and feel are usually more precise.

Which face should I use from the fringe?

For a ball sitting on short grass with a clear roll to the hole, the flat face is usually the simpler choice. If you need the ball to lift and stop quickly, use the lofted face instead.

How long does it take to get comfortable with both faces?

Most players feel reasonably comfortable after a few practice sessions focused on switching between faces. Consistent accuracy usually takes several weeks of regular short-game practice.

Does shaft length matter more on this club than on a wedge?

Length matters on any short-game club, but it has extra weight here because one shaft serves two faces. Check your address posture on both sides before you commit to a setup.

Can beginners use this type of club?

Yes. Its simpler decision-making helps beginners, but they should still learn basic chipping and putting fundamentals so they can progress beyond the club’s limits.

How often should I check the club’s setup?

Recheck lie and length whenever your posture changes, after a swing or grip change, or if you notice repeated toe or heel contact. A quick mat check every few months keeps things consistent.

Conclusion

A 2 way chipper golf club works best when you choose the face you need, set up both sides correctly, and practice switching between them. Check loft, length, and lie before you start, then build a short routine that tests distance and direction on both faces. With consistent practice, the club can cut down on short-game decisions and help you save strokes around the green.

Related reading

• Top 5 Left Handed Chipper Golf Club Picks for Better Short Game
• Odyssey Chipper Golf Club: What It Is and How to Use One Well
• Chipper Golf Club for Sale: 7 Best Picks for Short Game (2026)
• Chipper Club for Golf: How to Choose and Use One to Save Strokes

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