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ChippingGripPre-shot routineWedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Intermediate ⏱ 3 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Reverse-Grip Chipping: Matthieu Pavon's Routine

Chipping has long been Matthieu Pavon’s bane: fat and thin shots, and genuine apprehension. His solution was to chip using the reverse grip he uses for putting. In an interview with the FFGolf, he describes this turning point and then walks through his pre-shot routine from the approach to the green all the way to the shot.

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Matthieu Pavon
Matthieu Pavon · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

11 minSame problemOpen-faced chip with hands forward: Jon Rahm's lessonJon Rahm · Intermediate / Expert9 minSame problemShane Lowry's short game: reading the lie above all elseShane Lowry · Intermediate / Expert3 minFrom the same proMatthieu Pavon's chip selection: 58, 52, or 9-ironMatthieu Pavon · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Pavon put it bluntly: the chip had become very mental. He was afraid of that shot and was making a lot of fat and thin shots. His idea: to take over his reverse putting grip to recapture the same motion and the same sensations. He started having fun with it and rediscovered the joy of that aspect of the game.

His pre-shot routine begins while walking toward the green: the slope, the texture (will the ball bounce or roll on the first bounce?), and then the lie, who decides how to make contact: a ground ball or a lob. He quickly sets a landing spot, walk over to him, then displays the trajectory Like a ball-tracking system on TV: arc, height, landing spot, roll. His practice shots skim the ground to get a feel for the ball again. His stance depends on the shot: an open face to lift the ball, or a more closed face for a club that makes a straighter contact. One last glance at the target, and he swings without hesitation.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. As you approach the green, check the slope and the direction of the grain.
  2. Read the rule: it says whether the ball can roll or must fly.
  3. Pick a destination and walk there.
  4. Step back behind the ball and visualize the entire trajectory.
  5. Make a few test strokes to sweep the floor as required.
  6. Use the reverse grip and adjust the clubface to the desired height.
  7. Take one last look at the target, then play.

Key Takeaways

The reverse grip mimics the motion and feel of putting.
The pre-shot routine begins with a walk toward the green.
Slope, grain, and sediment determine the move to make.
You quickly choose a landing spot, then find it on foot.
View the entire trajectory: height, landing point, roll.
Once you've decided on a move, play without hesitation.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Playing a chip without reading the lie.
  • Aim for the flag instead of a landing spot.
  • Practice your swings in the air, without brushing the ground.
  • Once you've chosen your shot, stay focused and don't second-guess yourself.
  • Getting stuck in a behavior that causes fear instead of looking for another solution.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Reverse-grip chips, with the feel of a putt
  2. Complete pre-shot routine: slope, grain, lie, landing spot
  3. Vary the lies to change your contact
  4. Announce the shot before playing

Your Questions

Why does Matthieu Pavon use the reverse grip?

Because the chip shot scared him and he was making a lot of fat and thin shots. By adjusting his putting grip, he’s regained the same motion and has started enjoying chipping again.

What does he look at as he approaches the green?

The slope and grain, which affect how the ball behaves on its first bounce, and then the lie, which determines how the player can strike the ball.

How does he choose where to land?

Quickly, depending on the slope, the grain, and the lie. Then he walks up to that spot to get a general idea of the shot.

What does he visualize before he plays?

The entire trajectory, just like a ball tracker on TV: the curve, the height, where the ball lands, and how it rolls toward the hole.

Learn More

All “Chipping” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Grip” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Pre-shot routine” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Wedge Play = Pitching and Chipping” →Find the lesson that's right for you Shane Lowry's High, Soft Pitch: Face Before GripOpen up your stance, grip the club, hold it at a 5 out of 10 angle, and let the club drop: Lowry's high, soft pitch, followed by a lower version. Rickie Fowler's Green Reading, Step by StepRickie Fowler reads the putt from the low side, starting from the point where the ball enters the hole, checks his setup in the mirror, and strikes the ball with a centered contact. Rickie Fowler's Wedge Backspin: When to Try ItRickie Fowler demonstrates the "biting" pitch—a lie that stays open—and, most importantly, when to play it: only if the lie allows it; otherwise, go for the simple shot. Matthieu PavonAll of his lessons

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

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