Can a chipper (or Flipper in this case) be the cure for the chip yips? I’m desperate enough to find out.
Sitting in my basement still in the shrink wrap for many years, is the club which could be my secret to rounds in the 60’s and the end to my short game frustrations. It could also cause me to be the subject of laughter and much ridicule by golfers who I may or may not know. Say hello to the Acer Flipper, the king of the green!
Everybody sing with me!
They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,
No-one you see, is smarter than he,
And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder,
Flying there-over, over the green!
Everyone loves the king of the green,
Ever so kind and gentle is he,
Tricks he will do when golfers appear,
And how they laugh when he’s near!
They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,
No-one you see, is smarter than he,
And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder,
Flying there-over, over the green!
Flipper!
My putting is tour-level quality, but my chipping and pitching is as bad as my putting is good. In fact, I think I have the chip-yips. I’ve practiced countless hours and taken many lessons, but when I get on the course some kind of gag reflex happens and I have very little control over my chip distance. It has improved this season, yes. But I give up at least 3-5 shots per round due to bad chipping. Somehow I still manage to shoot in the low 70’s despite this problem. Imagine if I could save those 3-5 shots? I’d be scratch or better.
Case in point yesterday was a round of 73 in which I failed to get up and down for birdie when within five yards of two par-5 holes in two shots. I also failed to get up and down on the par-4 14th from about the same distance. Instead, I dubbed a chip about three feet and then changed to putter, getting up and down for bogey. There were three strokes I gagged up right there. Fix that and that 73 is a 70. Big difference.
Perhaps with the Flipper I can use my putting stroke around the greens instead of the gag-chip thing I’m doing.
Laugh at me if you wish. I’ll take it in stride. If the Flipper works, great! If not, I tried.
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Cold be. They are a miracle worker for high handicappers. Had one guy that used it from 150 yds. in. 🙂 Had to pin the shaft to keep the head from coming off.
If the club is legal, and it works for you — go for it! By the way, that thing looks a lot like the “E-Club” that was invented by SI’s Michael Bamberger years ago (he probably still has a few hundred NOS E-Clubs in his basement…).
eclubgolf.com/
This whole situation reminds me of the old saying, “What do they call the person who graduates at the bottom of their class at medical school?” “Doctor.” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Any club that would cure your chipping “yips” would be a beauty in my eyes. The loft looks similar to the loft of a hybrid. You can always give that a go if the Flipper weirds you out too much.
Thanks for taking the time to comment willotheglen, Essientially1 and Greg.
Greg, I checked the loft of this club and it is 46 degrees. That would be a strong pitching wedge or 9-iron. I understand this has a little more loft than a standard chipper, which would be around 37-40 degrees, or a 8-9 iron. It also has a 34 inch shaft, the same length as my putter.
Had no idea there was that much loft. What an odd club. A great club if it helps your game.
You never know, it might work. Just this Wednesday I was playing a round at Baltusrol with clients (have a retired friend who’s a member). My caddie suggested I use my 3 wood from off the green where there was too much against the grain grass to putt through. It worked like a charm the two times I decided to give it a go. Tap in on both efforts. Sometimes you have to swallow hard and try something different.
There’s no reason I can think of which would make this club illegal.
Is this club technically legal by USGA rules?
Bob
@willotheglen Is it really illegal?
Bob