also most players would be far better off if they just chose 1 club to use around the green( a PW, 52, 56, or 60) and used that just about universally in practice and on the course. It is a much simpler approach that will just make everything easier.

I play so little and practice my short game even less that I always grab the putter when I can

I pretty much always putt even if it's over some bumps since I feel I have a much better chance of getting it down in 2(from the fringe putt) then doing so with a chip. Also seems like the chances of holing out is slightly higher form me.

Haney would be correct.

Definitely chip in OP situation and I'm a 28.

I'm really bad with lag putting and actually "really good" (compared to what my HC would suggest) with SW chips. I almost always chip but it comes down to which shot I think I can get closer with. Sometimes I'll putt off the green if the fairway is really flat. Sometimes it's not easy to get a good chip off a tight lie esp. at a links course.

I disagree with this. What you should be trying to do is create 1 stroke and use all the clubs. I understand your method would be simplest but if you are trying to improve at all why would you limit the ceiling of your best shots like this? Most amateurs due to athletic ability may as well be hitting full shots with one hand compared to a pro why would you voluntarily tie one hand behind your back in the short game too?

Nah. I agree with NXT. Using one club for most situations makes everything way simpler.

A bit more clarity on my post above: What I mean by "ceiling" of your shot is that other than when conditions call for your "one" club you are starting with a compromised shot rather than the full potential available simply by changing to the proper club and using the same stroke.

No you are just fooling yourself and limiting your short game by 20% at least and lol at you if you think you are improving much around the greens EVER by doing this.

I very strongly disagree with you and I'll leave it at that. I'd rather know how to hit one club very well rather than having to learn how to hit 8 different clubs very well. Situations are so varied around the greens that you will never be able to make your so-called "one stroke"

I sometimes think that a majority of the tips you get from watching golf tournaments is a level by the golf industry to keep struggling players from getting better; because when you play bad, you might buy new gear.

Schu I actually thought you knew something about golf...

Multiple clubs is def. better for almost everyone player for a couple reasons:

chipping with a 8 or 9 when you can do it is less error prone.. if you screw up, thin shots don't sail the green as much, fat stubs usually are not as bad either, it makes it feel more like a putt which most people are at least ok at.

also dave pelz in his book did a study in which he had some mechanical arm thing hit chips with exact same line, force, etc. He did chips with a lofted wedge, maybe half way to the hole, and a high iron that just made it over the fringe a bit and rolled. basically the scattering of balls for the iron was far less, and this is hitting ever chip close to perfect with the pendulum arm thing.

forgot why, think the spin and bite is inherently unpredictable with the imperfect fringes, greens, wind, ball slamming down and colliding with more force, etc.

^this. chipping also gives you the illusion of being in control, like you can sail it over the horrible unpredictable rough and get to nice slick greens

i think you should maybe chip with 2 clubs. pw and 7 or 8 iron

chipping with less lofted club really reduces margin for error. skulls aren't that different than intended shots and almost no fat shots.... i guess you could even do some shoter chips with 8 iron too, but i do think there are situations where you require some loft.

i'm never sure where chipping ends and pitching starts. i think i was going into pitching mode too close to green when i still should have been using chipping motion