High-Hands Chip off the Toe: Tiger and Scheffler
When facing a close putt, Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler start with the same question: How is the ball sitting? If it’s sitting up, they lift it. If it’s buried, Tiger uses the chip shot he learned from Raymond Floyd: heel up, hands high, clubhead in the grass.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
The first criterion for both players: the lie. If the ball is positioned well, it can rise; if not, you have to play it low. Here, the ball is sitting low, with a headwind: hit a high chip. Tiger and Scheffler both consider themselves “bounce players.” Scheffler notes that when he chips poorly, his hands get ahead of the ball and he strikes it with the leading edge; for a high shot—especially against the grain—Tiger considers this impossible. On these high shots, he even feels a slight hook, allowing him to land the ball flatter and use the underside of the club.
If the ball is embedded, Tiger moves on to the high-hand chip, club tip down, using a 56° rather than a 60° on the front pin: he lifts his heel as high as possible—just as Raymond Floyd used to tell him—raises his hands, stands as close to the ball as possible, and swings slightly to the right to hit a slight hook. The hook makes the ball roll and helps it climb the slope. For a distant flag, the slope and the right-side wind call for a cut instead: a slightly open stance and clubface. One final contrast: in the rough, Tiger likes the ball to come off the toe—a softer contact—which allows him to swing harder; Scheffler prefers the center of the clubface.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- First, look at the lie: if the ball is sitting up, aim for a high shot; if it’s sitting low, aim for a low shot.
- For a chip shot aimed at a nearby flag, use a wedge with a shallower loft (Tiger chooses a 56° rather than a 60°).
- Lift your heel as high as possible and place the ball of your foot on the grass.
- Raise your hands and stand as close to the ball as possible.
- Swing slightly to the right and hit a slight hook to get the ball rolling.
- If the slope and the wind are pushing the ball to the right, open your stance and clubface slightly to hit a cut shot.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Hands too far forward and hitting the ball at the leading edge: that's when Scheffler hits a bad chip shot.
- To try to lift a ball that has sunk into the ground.
- Use the leading edge to catch a high ball against the grain.
- Stay away from the ball when chipping with the tip of the club.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Same flag, two lies: ball placed properly, then driven into the ground
- The chip's signature swing: heel up, hands high, slight hook
- A nearby flag is a hook; a distant flag is a cut
- A few balls hit intentionally with the toe of the club from the rough
Your Questions
When should you use the high-hand chip, club tip?
When the ball is buried and the flag is close, Tiger and Scheffler believe you can't lift it: they play it low, with a slight hook, so it rolls.
Where does this technique come from?
Tiger learned this from Raymond Floyd, who kept telling him to lift his heel as high as possible, raise his hands, and stand very close to the ball.
A bounce or a leading edge on the high chips?
Both players describe themselves as “bounce players.” For a high ball—especially against the grain—Tiger considers it impossible to play with the leading edge.
Is striking with the toe a mistake?
Not so for Tiger in the rough: the ball comes out softer, and he can swing harder. Scheffler, on the other hand, prefers the center of the clubface.
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Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Tiger Woods). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.