Joe,
The golf magazines say if you hit a chip or pitch just right, it will check up for you, and I have watched pros do this in a local tournament, but on the same course I tried chipping from the same spot and the ball refuses to check up, it just keeps on rolling. I even tried high spin balls but I see no difference. So what is the secret of making the ball check up?
Kevin

Hi Kevin,
The average golfer cannot do this for several reasons. Even if you played the same course as the pros, there is a difference between tournament conditions and everyday conditions. Tournament conditions are a bit more plush than the everyday public conditions. High spin balls can only make a difference if conditions are right, and only if the grooves on your clubface are new. Once the grooves get a little worn, you cannot spin the ball as well, no matter what you do. The pros can afford to replace their irons a lot more frequently than the average golfer, and they will not use a set once the grooves get worn, but the average golfer cannot afford to replace irons so often. You can conduct an experiment by comparing chip shots with a distance ball and a high spin ball. If neither one of them checks up, then either the green is too firm or your grooves may be too worn. It may help somewhat to keep your grooves clean with a stiff wire brush, but most people may be better off not counting on much spin, just do the bump and run instead.
Joe