When practicing chip shots, I recommend placing a range basket about a yard in front of the ball. You'll soon discover that the way to hit the ball over the basket onsistently is not with a scooping stroke. You'll learn to sharpen your contact and get the ball up quicker by striking down and through the ball. Feel that you're controlling the force of the swing with the left arm and hand. Don't allow the left wrist to collapse before or after impact. Strike down and hold with the left wrist staying firm. Then, try to duplicate this strike-and-hold action on the course.