The Eleven Golf Chipper: Why Every Golfer Should Consider This Versatile Short Game Weapon
The Case for Chippers in Every Bag
First and foremost, I believe that chippers should be something most golfers consider when assembling their set of golf clubs. The chipper is a club specifically designed to help golfers around the greens, and whilst it could be classed as a bit of a one-trick pony, my testing experience with various chippers has shown me that these clubs can actually be used in multiple positions around the greens with great effect.
The Eleven Golf Difference
The Eleven chipper I've been testing is something I feel should be seriously considered by many golfers. It plays with a loft equivalent to around a 7 or 8-iron in modern equipment, but that's where the similarities end. The club itself plays considerably more upright than you'd find in a standard iron, which means you're naturally getting into more of a putting setup position.
This design philosophy makes perfect sense when you understand the intended technique. You set up like a putter and grip it like a putter if I were teaching someone how to use it. The only difference between using a chipper and a putter is your stance and weight distribution.
Technique and Setup
When using the Eleven chipper, you adopt a putting stance but lean slightly more towards your target. I always recommend moving around 60 to 70% of your weight onto your lead leg. This weight shift allows you to increase your angle of attack and achieve the correct approach into the ball, generating the slight amount of spin needed for proper ball flight and control.
This setup feels natural very quickly, and the results speak for themselves in terms of consistency and accuracy around the greens.
Design and Performance Features
The sole on the Eleven chipper is quite substantial in its profile, which allows the club to glide really quite nicely through the turf. This generous sole design is crucial for forgiveness and ensures clean contact from various lies around the green.
The club itself looks impressive, maintaining the aesthetic standards of the rest of the Eleven product range. It features a very black matt finish that looks pretty good. The stealth appearance is completed with a black KBS shaft and black grip, creating an extremely sleek, unified look.
The Alignment Advantage
One of the key features I really appreciate with this club is a single white line on the black face. This white line, positioned on the bottom groove, enables you to easily line the club up towards your intended target. It's a simple but brilliant design touch that will help so many golfers with their alignment and confidence around the greens.
This visual aid makes target acquisition much more straightforward and builds confidence at address, which is crucial for short game success.
Versatility Around the Greens
From my testing, this club proves far more versatile than you might initially expect. Yes, it excels at traditional chip shots, but it's also effective from light rough, tight lies, and even slightly longer approach shots where you need trajectory but want the ball to release and run towards the pin.
The beauty lies in its simplicity, you don't need multiple techniques for different situations. The same fundamental setup and swing work across various scenarios around the green.
Exceptional Value
At £90, the Eleven chipper represents excellent value in the current market. When you consider the potential improvement to your short game and the quality of construction with the KBS shaft and professional finish, it's remarkably reasonable pricing.
For a club that could genuinely transform your scoring around the greens, this price point makes it accessible to golfers at all levels.
My Verdict
All in all, the chipper is a club that should be in the bags of many golfers and should certainly be something players consider seriously. First impressions with the Eleven chipper have been extremely positive, and from a price point perspective, I'm very impressed.
For me this isn't about gimmicks or shortcuts, it’s about making golf easier and more enjoyable around the greens, where so many matches are won and lost. For golfers who struggle with consistency in their short game, the Eleven chipper offers a legitimate solution that could genuinely improve their scoring.
Key Specifications:
- Loft: Equivalent to 7-8 iron (approximately 45°)
- Length: 35 inches standard
- Shaft: Black KBS Tour Lite steel
- Grip: SuperStroke grip in black
- Price: £90
- Key Feature: Single white alignment line on black face
- Setup: More upright lie angle for putting-style stance
Dan Hendriksen, PGA Professional