Chili-Dip
An extreme chunk, the club takes a big divot and the ball barely moves.
Why it happens
This is an exaggerated version of the fat chip, usually driven by tension and an instinct to "help" the shot rather than trust the club.
Possible causes in your swing, and how to fix each one
Tap any cause to see its fix. Work through them one at a time, usually one or two are the real culprit.
1Tension and anxiety over the shot
A jerky, handsy stroke born from nervousness is a common cause of a chili-dip, especially around a tricky lie.
2Ball sitting down in rough
Grass grabbing the clubhead before it reaches the ball can cause a chunky strike, especially with a shallow angle of attack.
3Looking up too early ("peeking")
Trying to see the result before the stroke is finished often pulls the club up and out of the ground early, contributing to poor contact.
When to stop self-diagnosing
If you've genuinely worked through two or three of these causes over several range sessions and the miss keeps showing up, that's not a failure since it usually means the real cause is something you can't feel or see in your own swing. A single 30-minute lesson with a certified instructor, who can watch you hit balls, will find it faster than any website. Bring this page along and tell them what you've already ruled out; it'll save you both time.