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ChippingWedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Intermediate ⏱ 14 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Adam Scott's choice of wedge around the green: the 54° first

Did you miss the green? Adam Scott doesn’t automatically reach for his 60° wedge. In *Short Game Chef*, he explains why he chips first with a 54° wedge—especially from a tight lie—and the mindset that helps him correct inconsistent contact: make a divot after the ball.

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Adam Scott
Adam Scott · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

5 minSame problemHigh-Hands Chip off the Toe: Tiger and SchefflerTiger Woods · Intermediate / Expert8 minSame problemRory McIlroy's short-side chip on a tight lieRory McIlroy · Intermediate / Expert2 minFrom the same proAdam Scott's Swing Tip: A Long, Slow BackswingAdam Scott · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Adam Scott almost always plays a 54° and 60°. On a tight surface—and even more so on a coarse-grained turf like Bermuda grass when running against the grain—he feels much more comfortable on the 54°: You can control the trajectory without having to be perfect, whereas the 60° leaves almost no margin for error. During practice, he even tries the 48° on these greens. Taking inspiration from Jack Nicklaus, he aims for an early landing spot on the green to let the ball roll toward the hole like a putt: ball positioned slightly back, club shaft slightly forward, and—with a tight lie—the heel of the club slightly lifted off the ground for safety.

His flaw: a single action too flat. To create a unique angle without getting too technical, he aims to to leave a divot after the ball. When he slows down, his swing becomes even flatter and he loses spin and control: he therefore maintains speed, even with a 60° open face and his right foot slightly back. The 8- or 9-iron remains an option for all flags, with a swing similar to putting. One final reminder, practiced during the US Open warm-up: keep your body moving. If he locks his hips, the angle of attack changes and he makes contact too early or too late. Lee Trevino focused on rotating his left hip; Scott focuses more on his rib cage.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Read the lees: for dense or grainy lees, choose the 54° rather than the 60°.
  2. Choose a landing spot close by, near the front of the green.
  3. Place the ball a little further back: the shaft should be tilted slightly toward the target.
  4. In a very tight stance, lift your heel slightly so that your toes touch the ground.
  5. Remember to make a small divot right behind the ball.
  6. Keep your hips and torso rotating all the way through the movement.
  7. For a higher shot at 60°, open the clubface, move your right foot back a little, and maintain your speed.

Key Takeaways

When aged on tight lees, the '54 is more forgiving than the '60.
Pick a landing spot early and roll the ball like a putt.
Ball positioned slightly back, clubhead slightly forward, heel slightly off the ground on a tight lie.
Aiming for a divot behind the ball creates the angle of attack.
A movement that's too slow becomes too flat: keep up the pace.
The body continues to rotate during the swing.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Reaching for the 60° club out of habit as soon as you miss the green.
  • A swing that's too flat, which goes under the ball.
  • Slow down as you approach the ball.
  • Lock your hips: the angle of attack changes and contact becomes unpredictable.
  • Thinking about technique on the course, which creates tension.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Same chip at 54° and then at 60° to compare the margin of error
  2. A mark on the ground right after the ball to aim for the divot
  3. Chips from the 8- or 9-iron with a putting motion
  4. Hips that sway with every bounce

Your Questions

Why does Adam Scott prefer the 54° to the 60° on a tight lie?

The 54° allows him to control the trajectory without having to be perfect at impact. With the 60°, there’s almost no margin for error, especially on a grainy green.

What does “leaving a divot behind the ball” mean?

His flaw is that he hits the ball too flat. By aiming for a small divot right behind the ball, he creates a steeper angle of attack without having to think about his technique.

Why lift the heel when playing a tight ligature?

Adam Scott describes this as a safe approach on this type of lie: the clubhead touches the ground and the heel is slightly off the ground.

Can you chip with an 8- or 9-iron?

Yes, he aims for all the flags. Accustomed to low shots in Australia, he thinks this shot is easier for most players: it’s similar to a putt.

Learn More

All “Chipping” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Wedge Play = Pitching and Chipping” →Find the lesson that's right for you Rory McIlroy's short-side chip on a tight lieOn a tight lie against the grain, Rory maintains a wide, smooth swing, then switches from an open wedge to a 54° wedge with a square face depending on his position on the green. High-Hands Chip off the Toe: Tiger and SchefflerTiger and Scheffler first assess the lie: if the ball is sitting well, a high chip off the bounce; if the ball is buried, a low chip with hands high, the toe down, and a hook. Scheffler and McIlroy's Wedge Workshop: Chips and BunkersScheffler and McIlroy are looking for a “shallow” swing and a draw feel around the green, from a tight lie to the bunker, to make better contact with the ball. Adam ScottAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Adam Scott). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

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