The Importance of Alignment
To start, Mike Malaska reminds us that the ball gets in the air due to the angle of the clubface, not by lifting it. He demonstrates this by taking a club and going through the motion of hitting the ball. He emphasizes that the goal is to put the fourth groove on the back of the ball. By focusing on this alignment, you can avoid hitting the ball fat.
Visualizing the Impact Point
Mike Malaska suggests that when hitting chip shots, it is crucial to focus on the impact point of the ball. He recommends visualizing a dot on the back of the ball and aiming to hit that dot with the clubface. By doing so, you can ensure that the ball rolls up the face and gets in the air. This visualization technique helps eliminate the tendency to try to lift the ball, which often leads to poor contact.
The Right Arm’s Role
Mike Malaska demonstrates the correct motion for chipping with the right hand. He emphasizes that the right forearm should push the shaft through the ball, aiming to catch the back of the ball on the dot. This pushing motion mimics a putting stroke with a lofted club. By keeping the right arm in alignment with the shaft, you can achieve a clean strike and get the ball in the air.