I'm going to describe two very different golf shots to you. One is called a pitch shot with loft, and the other is called a chip shot with run. Now what's the difference?
Well, first of all, sometimes the pin is in a situation where you have to go over an uneven lie, or you have to go over the edge of a bunker, or you have to go over a little tree and you need it to stop a little quicker.
So, you take out your loftier golf club, your lob wedge or your sand wedge. Put the ball in the middle of your stance, a little weight left and swing your arms up and down. And after it hits the green, it will slow down and stop because it has so much loft on it.
Now, for a chip shot, or a bump and run shot, it's the same golf shot, but it's done with a pitching wedge, or you could even use a 9 iron.
In this situation, the pin is in the back of the green and there is no trouble in front of you. So, you put the ball in the middle of your situation, put a little weight on your left leg, and swing your arms up and down. But because you did it with a pitching wedge, the shot takes off flatter and runs more.
Now, some of you get confused because the pin is in the back of the green and you want it to run, but if you use your sand wedge or your lob wedge. That will not happen. That will not run.
So, make sure in the future when you need a running chip shot, use a pitching wedge and put the ball in the middle of your stance. And if you really want it to run a lot, put it in the back of your stance. Try to change the golf club. Control the distance you want the chip shots to go by your club selection, not by the length of your swing.
A chip shot or a bump and run shot is also useful from the fairway or any place around the green that you do not have any obstructions. Sometimes you can be much more accurate by simply bumping an 8 iron up the fairway and letting it roll onto the green instead of trying to pitch it with accuracy. Usually your alignment will be a lot better using this tactic because much more of the shot occurs on the ground.
Thanks and have a great day.
Copyright 2006 David Nevogt