Chip it or Putt it?

[Screwback]

When playing any hole on the golf course if i get the ball onto the fringe off the green or into a puttable position off the green i always choose to putt it over chipping it.

However whilst playing with all different types off player this year i have been amazed with number of people that choose to Chip it even if they are right on the fringe and regardless of the size of green.

For me personally i feel i can get the ball a lot closer to hole by putting than i do chipping it.

What is the golf monthly forums view on this and what do you do in your own games??

 

[Pants]

Do whatever you are most comfortable with, and with your handicap of 1, I think that you have got it right for yourself.

 

[DelB]

I'm a chipper, rather than a putter. I seem to have really good feel around the greens and can usually chip the ball to within a foot or two of the hole and, on occasion, even in the hole.

Now, all I have to work on is getting the ball to the bloody greens in the first place!

 

[stevek1969]

Would putt it most of the time, you've more control over the putter than say a wedge ,which you could easily blade thru the green

 

[Imurg]

Play it as you see it. they say your worst putt from that position will be better than your best chip utter rubbish as far as I'm concerned.
It depends on what lies between you and the green. If there is a mound that makes the putt hard to read then chip it over it.
You need a good short game to chip well from the fringe and for lots it would be better to putt. But I play it as I see it - whichever method gets it closest to the hole.

 

[rickg]

I used to putt from everywhere, even 10 feet from the green, but that was because I couldn't chip. Since learning to chip, I tend to get it closer more chipping now than putting....even if on the fringe. However, I still find myself occasionally standing over a chip and just not feeling confident and I'll go back to the putter in these instances. These are definitely getting fewer though as my results with chipping improve over time.

 

[stevek1969]

Noticed that Del the other week at my place where you chipped stone dead the last 3 holes .

 

[DelB]

Noticed that Del the other week at my place where you chipped stone dead the last 3 holes .

Was just giving the putter a rest after three-putting so many greens before that mate...........

 

[Region3]

I always putt as long as there's not too much longer grass to go over making the pace harder to judge.

I don't agree with the "your worst putt is as good as your best chip" saying, but I'd definitely say your worst putt will be a heck of a lot better than your worst chip, at least for me.

 

[Golfmmad]

Was it the great Jack Nicklaus that said you have more control over a putter than an iron for this type of shot? As long as grass on the fringe isn't too long, it's a putter for me every time.

Golfmmad.

 

[Canfordhacker]

On two occasions I have put my partner in a greenside bunker when playing greensomes, and he has pulled his putter out (no lip). Both times i have given him an enormous amount of feedback about his choice of club. On both occasions he has got me to 2 feet for a tap in up and down.

Gotta go with what you feel right with.

 

[bignev]

Used to putt everything but now chip with my 9 iron and even some times chip in.

 

[sawtooth]

On the BBC website Padraig Harrington has a couple of "how-to" videos under the Golf section. I was surprised and somewhat relieved that he would always try to putt when just off the green whenever possible. i personally try to putt as you have more chance to get it close provided theres no real trouble in between.

 

[Redwood]

I'm a putter. But as with most people I take a look at the green first to see if there are a few hard breaks/reads, and if I feel more comfortable chipping over these I will.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Sometimes you need just a tiny bit of lift, just enough to clear the ruff, in these instances I often "Putt" with my 4 iron.

Works for me and that seems to be the message, its all down to what works for the individual

 

[Parmo]

My old friend once said "A bad putt is better than a bad chip". I sometimes chip but usually look at the shot and use what I feel safe with, be it a 7i, putter or 60*.

 

[birdieman]

A bad putt is still normally closer than a good chip. Screwback has it right, play the percentages. The odds of getting closer are better with a putter than an iron.

 

[Smiffy]

A bad putt is still normally closer than a good chip. Screwback has it right, play the percentages. The odds of getting closer are better with a putter than an iron.

I tend to agree.
Unless I've got some really fluffy grass in front of me or the ground between the fringe and cup is particularly wet, I will generally prefer to putt.

 

[need_my_wedge]

Good old texan wedge for me. If I'm on the fringe I very rarely putt, usually bump it with a 7 iron. Been doing that since I was first introduced to golf and it's what i'm comfortable with. Have holed quite a few of them this year, in play and practice, so I think I'll stick with it.

 

[USER1999]

It depends how far away the pin is. My long putting is not good, so I would rather chip from range.