DeChambeau's Short Game Practice: Chips, Rough, Bunker
Bryson DeChambeau admits he isn't the best wedge player on the tour, but he starts his short game session with three basic chips, one adjustment for each of the three rough lies, and, in the bunker, precise work on the part of the clubface that makes contact with the sand.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
It starts with small potato chips to adjust three things: control of the swing path, use of the bounce, and closing the clubface at impact. Left arm extended, minimal wrist action, weight on the left: he “sweeps” the ball as if with a broom. Next come his three basic strokes: the bump-and-run (slightly closed stance—he’s almost aiming for a draw), the chip with a square face, and the flop with an open face. For the flop, the key is not to open the face any further during the shot: You open it at the address, and then you feel it closing again upon impact.
In the rough, Every lie has its own pattern. Good lie: He moves his hands down the grip, keeps the club suspended, and addresses the ball as he would on the fairway. Medium lie: He opens the clubface slightly so that the ball “bounces” upward instead of rolling far. Very deep lie: He drives the heel of the club into the sand, almost like a bunker shot. In a bunker, he opens the clubface, strikes about 5 to 7 cm behind the ball, and checks the mark on the clubface: if it’s too close to the hosel, it’s a shank. He lowers the toe to shift the impact toward the center.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Warm up by doing small chips, with your left arm extended, your weight on your left side, and sweeping the ball.
- Chain together a bump-and-run, a chip-square, and a flop toward the same flag to compare how they land and roll.
- In the rough, assess the lie and the tuft of grass behind the ball before deciding on your swing.
- Good lie: lower your hands, club suspended; medium lie: face slightly open; deep lie: heel on the ground.
- In the bunker, feet planted, stance slightly open, clubface open, wrists cocked, impact 5 to 7 cm behind the ball.
- Check the sand mark on the face and adjust the clubhead so it strikes toward the center.
- When hitting from a bunker uphill, align your shoulders with the slope; if the ball is buried in the sand on an uphill slope, make a light chip shot with your heel forward, without forcing it.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Chip with a lot of wrist action.
- Betting again on the flop: the ball rolls out lifelessly.
- Play every shot from the rough the same way.
- Keep the clubface square on a medium lie: the ball will fly without spin and roll too far.
- In a bunker, hitting the ball near the hosel without realizing it.
- Hitting a ground ball too hard.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Small chips with the left arm extended to adjust the contact
- Bump-and-run / chip square / flop series toward a single flag
- Three balls in three different roughs
- Bunker: Check the mark on the face after each shot
Your Questions
What are DeChambeau's three basic chips?
The bump-and-run (slightly closed stance—he’s almost aiming for a draw), the chip with a square face that flies a little farther, and the very high flop that stops quickly. For him, these three shots cover almost every situation.
How do you play a ball from very thick rough?
He drives the heel of the club into the ground to reach the ball, almost like a bunker shot, even if it means deliberately “hitting it fat” at it to get it out and make it roll.
Why open the clubface on a shot from medium rough?
Because the ball can come off the club “hot,” with no spin, and roll well past the hole. With more loft, it rises higher instead of traveling farther.
How can you tell where the club hits the sand in a bunker?
He looks at the mark in the sand on the clubface. A mark stuck to the hosel explains the shanks; by lowering the toe slightly, he shifts the point of contact toward the center.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Bryson DeChambeau). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.