Stop chipping it short of those back pins

Your approach shot comes up just short of the green, leaving you a fairly straightforward chip to a back hole location some 60 feet away. You might be tempted to grab your putter and try the old Texas Wedge, but there’s an easier way to get it close. What you need is some "hook" spin—which, as you know from hitting a hook or draw off the tee, causes the ball to roll out farther. That's the best way to add some run to your chip shots.

Start by choosing a lower-lofted wedge or 9-iron and stand a little closer to the ball than normal, which helps steepen your angle of attack for clean contact. Position the ball back in your stance with your feet and shoulders aimed slightly right of your target and the clubface square. As you swing back, feel as if the clubhead tracks more toward your trail foot and your hands finish near your trail hip pocket (top). From this inside backswing position, swing down and out to the right of your target through impact (below).

Provided the clubface remains square through impact, it actually will be closed relative to the inside-out path of the club, producing a low, tumbling shot that starts slightly to the right and spins to the left, similar to a bump-and-run. Try this hook-spin technique the next time you need more mileage out of a chip shot.

Jackson Koert, a Golf Digest Best Young Teacher, is director of instruction at Atlantic Beach (Fla.) Country Club.