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Rory McIlroy’s valuable tips for amateurs on executing the one-hop and stop chip shot

Originally posted on HITC | By Antony Martin | Last updated Oct 31, 2025 12:06 PM ET

Rory McIlroy’s short game has long been respected across the PGA Tour, and when he offers advice on how to play around the greens, it’s worth paying attention.

His reputation for power often overshadows just how good he is with a wedge, but players know him as one of the top short-game performers in the world.

The pros all recognise him as one of the best with a wedge in hand. So when he shares short game tips, it is worth paying attention, especially for amateurs looking to improve their skills around the greens.

McIlroy has recently been showing amateurs how to master the bump-and-run shot, which is a useful option for most situations near the green.

It is a reliable option for amateur golfers more often than not. Still, there are times when you need a bit more height and spin to get close to the hole.

Rory McIlroy’s one-hop and stop chip shot tip for amateur golfers

Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images

McIlroy has given plenty of advice to amateur golfers over the years, but his tip for the ‘one-hop and stop chip shot’ is probably more suited to those with lower handicaps.

It is a tough shot to master, but having it in your game can be a real advantage when you need it.

In an instructional video for TaylorMade Golf back in 2020, McIlroy shared his best advice for how to hit that chip shot that skips along the ground once before standing to attention.

He explained: “This is a shot that I guess is a little higher risk but if you have to go over a slope on the green or something it’s a good shot to have in your bag.

“Basically what I try to do with this one, is that I try to set up pretty square. If anything I will open the club face slightly, just to get a little more loft on there. That encourages the ball to stay on the face a little longer to impart that spin that we need to hit this shot.”

“In set up, I stand square to it and try not have my weight too far forward. I still want 55% of my weight on my left and 45% on my right. From there the shaft at address is pretty vertical and all I am trying to do is get that shaft back vertical at impact and then release under ball and then release under ball and that will impart the spin on it.”

Rory McIlroy’s one-hop and stop chip at the Ryder Cup

At the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, McIlroy pulled off one of the most remarkable chip shots ever witnessed.

The Northern Irishman and Matthew Fitzpatrick were playing against Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark in an afternoon four-ball. The Europeans were one up standing on the 17th tee when McIlroy’s tee shot ended up left of the green.

The ball needed to cover a large slope with very little green to work with, but McIlroy opened his club face and delivered a low spinner that skipped once before stopping next to the hole.

Fitzpatrick’s immediate reaction said it all. It was not just a good shot, it was something special even by professional standards.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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