In this article, we take a look at five awesome chippers that will change the way that you play the game. Chipping irons are special for the fact that they allow you to make use of a controlled, moderate flight pattern for shots around the green.
The best golf chippers on the market will allow you to avoid some of the biggest mistakes that players tend to make on the greens. However, not all products are equal. For every good chipper out there, there are a plethora of bad ones that can wreak havoc on your game.
In this guide, we show you how to avoid the duds by examining only the best Golf Digest chippers on the market.
We will also take a look at a few important buying considerations that will help make your decision easier. So, without further ado, read on for some golf chippers reviews.
Best Golf Chippers Review
Now that we’ve introduced the guide, let’s get right down to it, shall we? Here are the top five chippers on the market.
1.Ray Cook Golf M1 Chipper
- The Head looks like that of a putter.
- Soft feel.
- Headcover included with the package.
- Grooves on the face facilitate forward spin.
Pros
I love the overall design concept here. The club features a head shape that is similar to that of a classic mallet-style putter which makes it easier to transition.
Cons
This is one of the more expensive chippers found on our list today.
The best thing about this club is undoubtedly the design concept. The mallet-style head looks a lot like your standard putter. This feature will make it as easy as possible to feel comfortable with this new style of shot. This feature will be particularly beneficial if you already own a mallet-style putter of a similar design.
The club even comes with a headcover to protect that beautiful head that I so admire.
This is also just a club that feels really good. It features a nice soft feel that most players appreciate with their short game clubs. It also includes deep grooves on the front of the face which produce a nice favorable forward spin.
Basically, it accomplishes everything you could possibly hope for from a chipping iron. Just be mindful of the fact that these high-end features will set you back a few dollars. Relative to other pieces of golf equipment, the price is not overwhelming. However, compared to the other chippers on our list it is a little bit pricey.
2.Intech Golf EZ Roll Chipper
- Lots of offsets.
- The loft of a seven iron.
- Literally impossible to the shank.
- The affordable price makes it an enticing pick.
Pros
The biggest selling point of this club is definitely going to be the price tag. If you want something affordable, this will be the club for you.
Cons
The feel is a little bit off here. Not nearly as soft or nuanced as the last club that we looked at.
The Intech EZ Roller is going to be perfect for buyers that are on a budget. This is one of the most affordable options on our list which will make it a great pick for buyers on a budget.
The unique design concept makes use of loads of offset to help you rotate the face of the club through the ball. It also makes it easier to eliminate shanks.
The Intech also features the loft of a seven iron which is the perfect range for users that want a nice, controlled ball flight.
However, it’s not a perfect club. I noticed that the feel is a little bit off. If you are looking for something with a responsive face, this might not be the club for you.
3. Extreme 5 Right Chipper
- Perfect club length for optimal control.
- Moderate price tag.
- Facial insert for maximum feel.
- Putter-style head.
Pros
The club has the look and feels of your average putter. These features make it very easy to hit high-quality chips with ease.
Cons
The facial insert features dead spots that can have a very negative impact on the feel of the club.
This moderately pried club will be an awesome choice for buyers that need to strike the perfect balance between value and quality. It features the exact length of an ordinary putter and is constructed in a similar design concept.
The clubhead itself looks exactly like that of a midsized mallet, while the face includes a soft insert that produces a nice feel.
It would be perfect if not for one issue. The insert seems to feature occasional “dead spots”. If you hit the ball dead solid perfect in the middle of the face you won’t encounter any problems. However, if you mishit the ball even slightly, the results will be pretty bad.
4.Wilson Men’s Harmonized Golf Chipper
- Uncommonly elegant design concept.
- Rare brand name recognition.
- Perfect shaft length.
Pros
One of my favorite aspects of this club is simply that it comes from a recognizable manufacturer. Wilson is a classic brand that knows how to make a decent golf club.
Cons
You pay for brand name recognition. This is one of the more expensive clubs on our list today.
This is an uncommonly elegant club that comes from a company with a long history in the game. Wilson has been making great sticks for many decades and this chipping iron is clearly the product of their many years with the sport.
It features an optimal shaft length, a great look, and a feel that many of the other clubs on our list simply can’t compare with.
The only real downside to this club is that it is very pricey. This is not a budget chipper.
5.Orlimar Golf- Escape Chipper
- Shank-proof design.
- Solid feel.
- Durable stainless steel build.
- Perfect loft and length.
Pros
It’s a simple, affordable club great for bargain hunters.
Cons
The appearance is…unfortunate, to say the least.
If you are looking for a good basement level bargain, this will be the club for you. What it lacks in refinery it makes up for in affordability.
This chipper features the length of a putter and the loft of a seven iron. The all-stainless-steel build is both durable, and provocative creating a solid feel that many players will appreciate.
Just keep in mind that there are some issues. The club isn’t as sophisticated as some of the other options on our list, and it also features a design that is you know…kind of ugly.
Important Factors to Keep In Mind When Buying Golf Chippers
Now that you’ve seen all of the best choices on the market, let’s take a close look at some of the best chipping irons on the market.
Wedge VS Chipper
Let’s first go over the differences between the wedge and the chipper. Wedges usually range in the loft from 46-64 degrees in the loft. They can be used for anything from bunker shots to pitches around the green. They are also often used from the fairway when you are fortunate enough to find yourself roughly 100 or so yards from the green.
They are extremely versatile, but when you get to really tight shots from around twenty feet away they can be very challenging to use consistently.
Many people find that they blade or chunk their wedges from around the green which can result in big numbers even from spots that are very close to the pin.
Chippers are considered by some to be the antidote to this problem. Though you won’t see them in the hands of the pros they are a good way for weekend warriors to cut trim the fat out of their Saturday rounds. They are usually styled to look a little bit like a putter.
The biggest difference is that they will feature more loft, allowing you to pitch the ball slightly into the air and then watch it roll towards the hole.
The stroke is often nearly identical to that of your flat stick, making it relatively easy to repeat consistently.
Because of this aspect of the club, most people find that they chunk or blade their shots significantly less.
There is a con though: you basically only use this club from the fringe area. If you are trying to keep your golf back to a strict fourteen clubs, this can be a big problem.
Note that chippers are not meant to be used from the fairway, and indeed may be damaged if you try. It’s a compromise but one that an increasingly large number of people seem to be willing to make.
Loft
The loft is one of the most important aspects of any chipper. Generally, you will find that the loft of most options hovers around the 35-degree range. This is about the loft you should expect to find on a seven or eight iron.
When you strike the ball in a putter-like motion, the high loft causes it to hop up only slightly in the air. If you get much more loft than 35 or so degrees you will find that the added height introduces more variables into the equation. It then becomes challenging to control where your ball lands on the green.
Conversely, if you get something with too little loft you will find that the ball speed is difficult to control. The answer is to do yourself a favor and go with something moderate.
Shaft Length
Ideally, the length of the shaft is going to be similar to that of a putter. That way you can comfortably set up the ball the same way you might any other putt. In fact, many chippers even feature special heads that are made to look exactly like any other putter you will find at the store.
Look for a chipper with a shaft length in the 35-inch range.
Price
Though I don’t wish to slander the clubs featured on our list today, I do think it’s safe to say that chippers are gimmick clubs. Hey, there isn’t anything wrong with that. They work well and can legitimately lower tour scores over time.
However, you probably shouldn’t pay too much for them. Most of the companies that make these products are smaller brands. You don’t usually see chipper from major manufacturers like TaylorMade or Titleist.
You can often find pretty good options for under $50, so try your best to look for something in that range if you can.
Offset
It’s also important to get a chipping iron that features a good deal of offset. This means that the shaft is situated ahead of the part of the club that actually makes contact with the ball.
A chipping iron that features lots of offsets will accomplish several things. First of all, this feature will make it easier for you to naturally rotate the clubface through the ball in a way that produces optimal levels of forwarding spin.
The offset will also make it easier to strike at the ball in an upward motion. Basically, this aspect of the club will do a lot of your work for you. The good news is that it’s not terribly difficult to tell if a club features a decent offset. A quick visual inspection should tell you everything you need to know.
Appearance
It’s also worth considering the appearance of the club. Aesthetics play a very important role in the game of golf that many people underestimate. After all, we are talking about a game that is played mostly in the space between your ears.
You should opt for a club that will make you feel comfortable when you pull it from the bag. In other words, chippers actually are a proverbial “book” that can be judged by their covers.
Face
There are two different styles of the face that you are likely to encounter with your chipping iron. You may find some options that feature stainless steel grooves similar to those on an ordinary wedge. On the other hand, you will also find clubs that feature facial inserts like those found on some putters.
Clubs with the grooves will feature a more solid feel while facial inserts will cause a very soft, muted sensation.
Neither is necessarily better than the other. You just have to choose the style that suits you best.
Frequently Asked Question & Answered
Are these clubs’ tournaments legal?
If you are a competitive player you will be pleased to know that most of these chipping irons are compliant with USGA rules. However, it is always better to know for sure before you finalize your buying decision. After all, you don’t want to wind up with a club that will get you kicked out of your next tournament.
Which club do chippers replace?
That will actually be up to you. Even though chipping irons are performing a responsibility usually associated with the wedge, it’s actually a new category of a club in its own right. Find a club that you don’t use often, and consider trading it out for a chipper.
Do chippers work from the rough?
It will ultimately depend on the lie that you find yourself with. However, chipping irons are mostly made to work best from the fringe area of the green.
Conclusion
So which of these clubs is it going to be? The good news for your purposes is that every single one of the options on our list today is made to please. You won’t find any duds in this batch of the five best chipping irons on the market.
However, like any piece of golf equipment, some options are going to be more suitable for you than others. If you have uncertainties consider the decision from the perspective of which club you find most visually appealing.
Though this may seem unsophisticated it can help connect you with the club that will make you feel confident and comfortable on the greens.
