GOLF.com: Harrington's Ground-Force Chipping Secret — Why Rising Through Impact Beats Staying Down

Harrington's Core Message: Rise, Don't Stay Down

Conventional wisdom tells golfers to "keep their head down" when chipping. Padraig Harrington, a three-time major champion, challenges that idea directly. His method centers on pressing into the lead foot at impact and allowing that pressure to drive the body upward — a subtle but powerful move that elite players use instinctively.

"I'm actually pushing myself back up with that left foot," Harrington explains. "It gives an absolutely beautiful strike."

The Alignment Stick Drill

Harrington's go-to training tool is straightforward. Place an alignment stick at the midpoint of your stance, then position the ball two to three inches ahead of it. The goal: strike the ball cleanly without touching the stick. Consistently clearing the stick means you're bottoming out after the ball — the hallmark of quality ball-first contact.

Once that contact pattern feels natural, layer in the pressure shift. As the club approaches the ball, press into the ball of your lead foot and let that force propel you upward through impact.

How to Self-Check Your Technique

After impact, look at your lead leg. A bent lead knee suggests the weight drifted backward during the swing. A straightened lead leg indicates proper ground use. Harrington frames it plainly: "If you get yourself left, you're just going to post up."

Why This Matters Beyond the Short Game

The ground-force mechanics Harrington teaches for chipping are the same fundamentals that power an athletic full swing. Mastering this around the greens first gives golfers a movement blueprint that translates directly to longer shots — and measurable gains across multiple SG categories.