“A bad putt is better than a bad chip” (golf adage)

“A bad putt is better than a bad chip” is a golf adage that many golfers follow. A chip shot is a little further out from the hole than a putt; a bad putt is “better” because it’s probably closer to the hole. “A bad putt is still better than a bad chip” has been cited in print since at least 1998.
 
This statement on the saying was cited on rec.sport.golf in 2001:
 
“I’ve often seen it phrased as ‘a bad putt will be better than a bad chip which will be better than a bad pitch(lob)’ and is a rather negative piece of advice since it is more concerned on how to minimise failure rather than on trying to get the best results from ones shots.”
 
   
Google Books
Practical Golf
By John Jacobs
Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot Press
1998, ©1989
Pg. 118:
Tournament pros know that a bad putt will almost always finish better than a bad chip, under these conditions. So should you.
 
Google Books
Fairway to Kitchen
By Christi Blauwkamp
ClassicGolf, Incorporated
1998
Pg. 80:
Remember that a bad putt is still better than a bad chip.
 
GolfMagic
CHIPPING FROM JUST OFF THE GREEN.
Alex Bangert
28/09/2001 at 14:45
Somewhere like St.Andrews and that putting approach will probably work OK Adam, but try it on a damp parkland course, and you might be in trouble. They do say ‘a bad putt is better than a bad chip’ though and to be honest I agree with that approach.
 
Google Groups: rec.sport.golf
Chips vs lobs
Crispin Roche
8/17/01
(...)
Well the objective of the game is to get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible rather than to look pretty so if you lob accurately then stick with it.  As to the golf magazine advice, I’ve often seen it phrased as “a bad putt will be better than a bad chip which will be better than a bad pitch(lob)” and is a rather negative piece of advice since it is more concerned on how to minimise failure rather than on trying to get the best results from ones shots.
 
Google Books
How to Drop Five Strokes Without Having One:
Finding More Enjoyment In Senior Golf
By John D. Drake
Bloomington, IN: iUniverse
2011
Pg. 51:
As the saying goes, “A bad putt is always better than a bad chip.”
 
Twitter
John Canzano
‏@johncanzanobft
Crane said he hears advice from his late grandfather when he’s on the course… “A bad putt is always better than a bad chip.”
6:21 PM - 10 Apr 2012
 
Twitter
Beth Ann Nichols
‏@GolfweekNichols
Jack Nicklaus gave Korda this advice two years ago: “He always told me a bad putt is still better than a bad chip.” Came in handy today.
5:23 PM - 26 Jan 2014