Using Lob Wedge for Chipping: A Step-by-Step Guide for Better Short Game

Updated November 2026

Using a lob wedge for chipping lets you get the ball airborne quickly and stop it near the hole, especially when you have little green to work with. The high loft does most of the work, so your job is to make a smooth, consistent motion and let the club’s effective loft carry the ball onto the green. This guide covers setup, the swing, and how to adjust for different lies.

Why a Lob Wedge Works for Chipping

A lob wedge has enough loft to launch the ball high and land it softly, which means less roll-out and more control over where it stops. That makes it useful when you are close to the green and need to clear rough, a bank or a bunker lip. For a deeper look at the club’s typical uses, see What Is a Lob Wedge Used For? Shots, Tips and Uses.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Lob Wedge Loft Degree vs Gap Wedge: Which Should You Choose?.

The trade-off is that the ball flies more and rolls less. Land it too far onto the green and it can release longer than you expected. Plan your landing spot before you swing.

Set Up for a Clean Lob Wedge Chip

Good setup removes most of the guesswork. Start with the ball slightly back of center in your stance, which helps you strike down and through the ball with a little ball-first contact.

• Stand with your feet about 4 to 6 inches apart, closer than a full swing stance.
• Put roughly 60 percent of your weight on your front foot.
• Keep the shaft leaning slightly toward the target so the hands are ahead of the clubhead at address.
• Grip down an inch or two on the handle for more control.
• Open the face only if you need extra height; otherwise keep it square.

Make the Chip Swing: Step by Step

The lob wedge chip is a small, controlled motion driven by your shoulders, not your wrists. Use this sequence for most short chips.

1. Pick a landing spot on the green, usually 3 to 6 feet onto the putting surface for a high, soft shot.
2. Hinge the wrists slightly on the backswing, keeping the motion short and compact.
3. Rotate your shoulders through the ball, letting the club swing down and through.
4. Keep your lead wrist firm at impact so the loft stays intact.
5. Finish with the club pointing toward the target and your weight on your front foot.

Tempo matters more than power. A backswing and follow-through of similar length usually produces the most consistent contact.

Adjust for Lie, Rough and Distance

The same swing produces different results depending on what the ball is sitting in. Match your setup to the lie.

Tight Lies and Fairway Grass

Move the ball slightly back and make a crisp, descending strike. Low-bounce versions of the club help here. If you are weighing bounce options, Lob Wedge Low Bounce: How to Choose and Use One for Tight Lies (2026) covers the details.

Thick Rough

Open the face a little, accelerate through the grass, and expect the ball to come out with less spin and more roll than a clean lie. Club selection and a firm swing matter more than finesse here.

Greenside Bunkers

For buried or fluffy sand, the chip technique changes to a splash-style motion. Lob Wedge Out of Sand: Step-by-Step Technique for Clean Bunker Shots and Using Lob Wedge in Sand: 5 Steps to Splash Shots Close to the Hole walk through those shots.

Checklist Before You Chip

1. Choose a landing spot and a target on the green.
2. Check the lie and adjust ball position.
3. Set your weight forward and your hands ahead of the ball.
4. Make a short, smooth swing with matching backswing and follow-through.

Common Mistakes

• Flipping the wrists at impact, which adds loft loss and inconsistent contact.
• Placing the ball too far forward, causing thin or skulled strikes.
• Landing too short on the fringe or too far past the hole.
• Decelerating into the ball, which leaves the chip short.
• Using a lob wedge when a higher-spin or lower-loft club would roll it closer.

Recommended Gear

A simple practice tool helps you build the same strike over and over. Hit a few shots to a specific target each session.

• A chipping net keeps practice balls in one spot so you can focus on contact. View on Amazon
• Alignment sticks show your swing path and stance width during setup drills. View on Amazon

FAQ

How far should I land a lob wedge chip on the green?

For most short chips, land the ball 3 to 6 feet onto the green. That gives enough height to clear the fringe while letting the ball stop near the hole.

Should I use a lob wedge or a pitching wedge for chipping?

Use a lob wedge when you need height to clear a lip or rough. A lower-lofted club is usually better when you have room to run the ball along the ground.

Why does my lob wedge chip keep coming up short?

Short chips usually come from deceleration or landing too early on the fringe. Keep the swing length matched and aim your landing spot a bit farther down the green.

Conclusion

A lob wedge chip is a short, controlled swing with a clear landing spot and a firm lead wrist. Practice the setup and tempo until the strike feels repeatable. Then adjust for tight lies, rough and bunker edges as you encounter them.

Related reading

• What Is a Lob Wedge Loft? Typical Degrees and How to Choose

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