Tips on How to Improve Your Chipping by Improving Your Lower Body Control and Strength

When most golfers think about improving their short game, they focus on the hands and wrists—maybe even their stance or grip pressure. But what if we told you that one of the biggest game-changers in your chipping performance lies below the belt?

That’s right—your lower body plays a critical role in controlling, stabilizing, and sequencing your chip shots.

Let’s break down how developing better lower body control and strength can help you become more consistent around the green—and how to train for it.

🦵 Why Lower Body Control Matters in Chipping

Chipping may seem like a finesse move that requires only subtle movements, but without a stable and responsive lower body, inconsistency creeps in fast.

Here’s why:

• The lower body provides the foundation for your swing. If your base is shaky, your upper body has to compensate—leading to mis-hits and chunked shots.

• Proper sequencing (lower body initiating and leading the motion) ensures your hands stay quiet and your clubface stays square at impact.

• A strong lower body keeps your weight distribution balanced, helping you control loft, spin, and rollout.

In short, if your lower body isn’t in sync, your short game suffers.

🏋️‍♂️ Lower Body Exercises for Better Chipping

To see real improvement, incorporate exercises that boost stability, strength, and control in your lower body. Here are a few of our go-to moves:

1. Split Stance Isometric Holds
   Mimics your chipping stance and builds static strength in your glutes, quads, and core. Try holding for 30 seconds each leg.

2. Single-Leg Glute Bridges
   Helps improve hip stability, critical for staying balanced during delicate shots.

3. Step-Downs or Lateral Lunges
   Builds strength and control through movement patterns similar to weight shifts in your swing.

4. Pallof Press (with light resistance)
   Challenges your lower body to resist rotation, encouraging better torso and pelvis control during swing motions.

🧠 Movement Awareness = Better Touch

Training your lower body isn’t just about raw strength—it’s about building awareness. When your body knows where it is in space and how to react to subtle shifts, your chipping becomes smooth, repeatable, and confident.

Combine these training elements with regular chipping practice, and you’ll start to see a transformation in both feel and function.

“The more I work and practice, the luckier I seem to get.” — Gary Player

So, next time you’re frustrated with your short game, don’t just blame your hands—build your foundation from the ground up with smart, golf-specific training.

Want help building a short game that holds up under pressure? Reach out to 4ORE Golf Performance and let’s design your custom golf fitness plan. 🏌️‍♂️