Chip and run ratios

[billyg]

Right folks,

you're hovering just off the fringe unsure which club to chip with. You see the shot in your head but then need to translate this into a combination of loft and run.

How do you do it?

I was told that a SW gives a 50/50 ratio and a PW 40/60 of loft to run but it doesn't seem very systematic beyond that. I know greens run differently and the pitch and yaw can influence these things but all else equal, what system do you use ?

 

[HTL]

Neither, pull out my trusty 5 wood and make a nice smooth putting stroke.

Unless you’re a low handicapper or immense with wedges I would leave the wedges in the bag for this kind of shot.

 

[minty18]

I just take the 7iron out of the bag, and use it like a putter (putting stroke), i dont think ratio's, i've just got used to the distance the ball will travel by how far i take the club back.

If I have a hump to get over then the PW will be used but with the face open slightly.

 

[mikest]

depends how long the chip is really and the speed of the green but normally take an 8 or 9 iron out for a chip and run, if i wanted to flop it or take it to the pin and check it then i would be looking at a wedge.

there is always as htl says the fairway wood through the fringe, this is pretty low risk as theres hardly any chance of the club getting caught up in the rough as opposed to a putter.

ive ofter thought about doing the half ball strike that the pro's use with an iron but i feel its a very high risk shot! maybe get the courage one day haha

 

[MVP]

Its all trial and error if youve already played a few holes you get a rough idea for green speed, its all to do with technique. thos that like to release there hands through impact are goin to get a bit more run than those who keep there left wrist straight and get more spin.

if the pin is close and the fringes is a bit rough id try a delicate 60deg with a bit of spin but if the pin is 40ft away id use a pw and release it a bit. if the fringe is ok i might putt it, also if the green has lots of break id be incline to take the break out a bit and fly it a bit closer depending if im confident at reading it. pitching onto break is going to lead to inconsistent landing so i try to chip to the flattest spot on route to the hole or desired putting distance

 

[Parmo]

I use either a 3,5 or 7 iron depending on distance and thickness of rough I need to get over, I do this from as far as 20 yards rather than risk topping a wedge shot and watching my ball scream across the green like a scolded cat.

 

[MVP]

I use either a 3,5 or 7 iron depending on distance and thickness of rough I need to get over, I do this from as far as 20 yards rather than risk topping a wedge shot and watching my ball scream across the green like a scolded cat.

Dont take this the wrong way Parmo but why are you scared of topping a wedge??

 

[mikest]

the most important thing with this shot is to trust your technique, if your hitting a wedge up to the hole, commit to the shot and dont slow down!!! equally true when hitting the pitch and run, open up your body so your toes are pointing slightly towards the target and its mostly arms this shot. whenever i play on a links course im so happy i learned this shot from an early age, when you see some of the old men who have played on links all their lives its unbelievable the distance control they have.

 

[MVP]

A lot a people who thin wedges i notice dont setup there weight properly and end up leaning back on the shot and theres the temptation to lift up on the shorter shots

 

[bunkered]

Keep reading the books son, one day you might be able to play all the shots.

 

[Toad]

I use the PW all around the green, when I am confident in my short game I prefer to pitch it close with little run rather than have it running most of the way.

 

[Parmo]

I use either a 3,5 or 7 iron depending on distance and thickness of rough I need to get over, I do this from as far as 20 yards rather than risk topping a wedge shot and watching my ball scream across the green like a scolded cat.

Dont take this the wrong way Parmo but why are you scared of topping a wedge??

Because playing safe with a low flighted shot which at worst will leave me with a 6 yard putt is better than having to rescue a duff shot.

I do aim to practice my short game this season, I used to love my close wedge shots but after a few topped shots I started playing safe.

 

[MVP]

gotcha. When you mess a few shots up it sticks in the back of your mind a bit till your faced with the same one again and confidence goes down the pub.

 

[medwayjon]

I either use the 5I or 7I depending what sort of lie I have.

The lob wedge is copletely out in my eyes and the risk is far too high. I only use it if there is a bunker or mund to go over.

 

[mikest]

yeah the only reason the lob or even sand wedge would come out would be if there was like a bunker or other obsticle in front of my ball, once you can control the distance on the chip and run its very high percentage shot. Its just practice really and patience!

 

[theeaglehunter]

I will always try and use a 7,8 or 9 iron as I know roughly how far these will go, however depending on how much green I have to work with I may be forced into trying something more extravagent with a more lofted club. And I have recently purchased a lob wedge so that I have a better chance when playing over a bunker with little green to work with when a sand wedge is not quite suitable, a shot that is very common for me for some reason.

 

[billyg]

Right folks,

you're hovering just off the fringe unsure which club to chip with. You see the shot in your head but then need to translate this into a combination of loft and run.

How do you do it?

I was told that a SW gives a 50/50 ratio and a PW 40/60 of loft to run but it doesn't seem very systematic beyond that. I know greens run differently and the pitch and yaw can influence these things but all else equal, what system do you use ?

interesting. I try to keep it low if there's no obstacles with a 7 or 6 but the big break through for me this weekend was realising that if I strenghen my right hand a tad on the grip I get a nice pure contact.

Might try that hybrid/5 wood putting stroke just off the green. Never thought of that- sounds promising.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I was always told that a bad putt is better than a bad chip so if I was in the fringe and it wasn't too long and I had nothing in the way I'd probably get the putter on it.

However as I'm aiming to be a better player this year, and taking advice from Dennis Pugh on Golf Night, it is better to hit a low running shot that you can play like a putt taking into account the contours.

There is much more percentage in this shot than trying to lob it up and getting it to stop close. I'd normally use a PW for shots of around 5-25 yards and anything longer use a 9 up to about 30 and then up a club every 5 or so yards from there.

The truth is that there is no substitute for practice and it is a fun way of learning to control your shots and adding extra shots into your armoury. Go enjoy the challenge

 

[GB72]

I go reach for my hybrid and use a smooth putting stroke. Seems to work for me most of the time and certainly does not have the propensity for disaster as some of my wedge shots do.

 

[RGuk]

If I got 50/50 off my SW, I'd most likely curse and chuck my clubs in the lake....would expect much more bite than that!
It's hard to define, but I normaly get a feel for the shot and how much it's going to run. If I'm nearly on, I'll just putt it. If I need plenty of run, might go down to a 7 iron.
Mostly I use my PW and either jab it for some stop or swing through and turn over the face for more run.