Quick answer: The chipping drills that translate best from a mat to the course are the ladder drill, the one-hand drill, the landing spot drill, and the lie-change drill. Practice them on a tight Fairway-style mat for clean contact, then add a longer First Cut mat to rehearse chips from the rough. Fifteen minutes a few times a week is enough to see real improvement.
Chipping is where most golfers can save the most strokes, and it is the easiest part of the game to practice at home. You do not need a big yard or a full swing. You need a mat, a few balls, and a target.
These chipping drills at home work in a garage, a basement, or a backyard. Each one targets a specific skill: contact, distance control, or adapting to the lie.
What You Need
- A chipping surface. A Fairway golf mat has a tight 3/8" Nylon pile that gives a clean, fairway-style lie. It is built for chipping and hitting directly off the mat surface.
- A target. A chipping net, a bucket, a towel, or a putting green a few feet away.
- Two or three clubs. A wedge, a 9 iron, and an 8 iron cover most chips.
If you are still choosing a surface, our chipping mat guide compares the options.
1. The Ladder Drill (Distance Control)
Set three targets at roughly 10, 20, and 30 feet. Hit three balls to each target with the same club, changing only the length of your swing. Then switch clubs and repeat.
This drill teaches you that distance comes from swing length, not from hitting harder. It also shows you how much each club rolls out compared to how far it carries.
2. The One-Hand Drill (Contact)
Hold the club with only your lead hand and hit short chips. Then switch to only your trail hand. Each version exposes a different flaw. Lead-hand-only chips punish flipping at impact. Trail-hand-only chips teach the club to release under the ball.
Hit 10 with each hand, then 10 with both. Most golfers find their two-handed contact gets crisper right away.
3. The Landing Spot Drill (Precision)
Lay a towel on the ground a few feet in front of the mat. Your only goal is to land the ball on the towel. Ignore where it rolls. Great chippers pick a landing spot and let the club do the rest. This drill builds that habit.
4. The Coin Drill (Low Point)
Place a coin about an inch in front of the ball. After you strike the ball, try to brush the coin. If the club touches the mat before the ball, you are hitting it fat. This trains a ball-first, descending strike, which is the foundation of clean chips.
5. The Lie-Change Drill (Adaptability)
Real chips do not all come from perfect lies. Alternate between a tight surface and a longer one. On a tight lie, play the ball slightly back and keep the swing compact. From longer grass, open the face a touch and make a slightly longer swing so the club can get through the turf.
A First Cut golf mat uses a taller turf (1" to 1-7/8" pile) that simulates rough and first-cut lies, so you can practice both shots in the same session.
6. The Up-and-Down Game (Pressure)
If you have a putting surface nearby, chip one ball and then putt it out. Score 1 point for every up-and-down. Play 9 holes and try to beat your score next time. A True Roll putting green pairs well with a chipping mat for this game.
Indoor tip: Chips are low-speed shots, but balls still bounce. Use foam or practice balls indoors, or chip into a net, and keep breakables out of range.
A 15-Minute Chipping Routine
| Time | Drill | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 3 min | Coin Drill | Ball-first contact |
| 4 min | One-Hand Drill | Clean release |
| 5 min | Ladder Drill | Distance control |
| 3 min | Landing Spot or Up-and-Down | Precision under pressure |
Mats That Work Well for Chipping Practice
| Mat | Best use | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 x 5 Fairway, Shock-Absorbent Foam | Tight lies, cushioned 5/8" closed-cell foam, 4 rubber tee holes | $213.99 |
| 5 x 5 Fairway, Shock-Absorbent Foam | Room to stand on the mat, chips through full swings | $249.99 |
| 5 x 5 First Cut, Flexible 5mm Foam | Rough and first-cut lies | $138.99 |
| 3 x 8 True Roll Putting Green | Chip and putt games | $144.99 |
Prices as of October 2026. Fairway and True Roll mats use Nylon turf. First Cut turf may be Nylon or Poly. All made in Dalton, Georgia, with FREE Shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you practice chipping on a golf mat?
Yes. A tight Nylon mat is one of the easiest ways to practice chipping at home. It gives a consistent lie every time, which helps you groove a clean strike.
What club should I chip with?
Most golfers use a pitching wedge or sand wedge for higher chips and a 9 or 8 iron for low bump-and-runs. Practice with two or three clubs so you learn how each one flies and rolls.
Will chipping off a mat hurt my wedges?
All Turf Mats Fairway mats use Nylon turf, which is residue-free and will not leave green streaks on your clubs. Read more in do golf mats damage golf clubs.
How do I practice chipping from the rough at home?
Use a longer-pile mat like a First Cut mat. It simulates rough and first-cut lies so you can practice adjusting your setup and swing.
Sharpen Your Short Game at Home
Tight, consistent Nylon lies. Made in Dalton, Georgia. FREE Shipping.
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