Chip it or Putt it?

[birdieman]

Good old texan wedge for me. If I'm on the fringe I very rarely putt, usually bump it with a 7 iron.

Texas wedge is the putter, not a 7 iron!

Not averse to chipping either but from the fringe if you take 10 putts and 10 chips and average the result 99% of us will have better results with the putter.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There are too many variables to give a definitive answer. If the fring grass is fluffy or bobbly or there is a mound in the green to a long flag I'll probably chip but aim to land the ball asap on the green and run out (usually a 7,8 or 9 iron with a closed face). I tend to chip more in winter when the greens are wet to make sure the ball gets to the hole more.

In summer I have no qualms about putting from off the putting surface if necessary as I find the rock hard ground can make chipping the trickier option

 

[bobmac]

If you do decide to putt from off the green, take a look at the grass and note if it's lying against the putt or with it.
Obviously, if its lying against you, the putt will be slower.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
I would be in the putting camp as bob said have a look at the grass if its growing away from you it dose not have much effect on the putt there are fewer things that can go wrong when you putt so it is the higher percentage option and most of the pros will be seen putting from the fringe if possiable.
Mike

 

[Twire]

I'm surprised no one uses a chipper.........


Best of both worlds.

 

[Pants]

Unfortunately for him, Tom Watson made the wrong choice on the 72nd at The Open

 

[User 105]

Almost always a putt with a 7i from the fringe to get it over the thicker stuff as I struggle judging how the ball reacts. Just a confidence thing with me. I hole out often enough to know it works for me.

 

[Bigfoot]

Since starting to chip more from off the green, using anything from 4 iron to gap wedge, I have improved from 16 to 13. This eliminates any uncertainty of the fringe grass.

 

[Ethan]

Almost all pros will putt it, and if they chip it will usually aim to chip it just far enough to clear the fringe or any false front.

 

[birdieman]

Off the green and fringe I'd be chipping too unless it was hard links for example, on fringe probably putting.

Last time I played up at Dornoch one of my playing partners was putting from miles off the green and on the long 9th putted from about 80 yards away, I kid you not!

 

[Del]

Unless I'm on the green I tend to chip, one of my strong points in the game.

But in saying that I have been known to put from 20+ yards in the summer when the ground is rock hard.

Del

 

[RichE]

For me, you have to assess each situation and go with what you think is going to give you the best percentage for a good result. Sometimes thats an iron because of the amount of grass inbetween the ball and green, other times it's a putter because it's smooth all the way!

One thing, the more people practice this aspect and options for playing these kind of shots the more they will improve their score as getting up and down more regularly will mean the difference between an average and a good card! It will also improve your confidence when faced with such situations.

 

[need_my_wedge]

Texas wedge is the putter, not a 7 iron!

Wow...... 20 odd years I've referred to the 7 iron on the fringe as a texan wedge......... When I was introduced to playing golf back in the mid eighties, the guy "educating" me referred to it that way and I've used it ever since, didn't know any different 'til now

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Chip for me almost every time. I'm rubbish at judging the speed if i have to putt through a bit of fringe.....usually run it 15 feet past or 15 feet short but if i chip it no probs!!!!!

 

[mono217]

Defainantly putt without a doubt.

 

[Screwback]

Thanks for all the responces and as i thought the forum is fairly divided on this.

Personally i can see it from both points of view and as mentioned you always have to do what you are most comfortable with.

I dont know how many people use it but if i am not happy with putting i have been known to go to the hybrid and "putt" with it.

 

[kid2]

Thanks for all the responces and as i thought the forum is fairly divided on this.

Personally i can see it from both points of view and as mentioned you always have to do what you are most comfortable with.

I dont know how many people use it but if i am not happy with putting i have been known to go to the hybrid and "putt" with it.

Usually if im on the fringe ill use a 6 or a 7 iron and use a putting grip and stroke it like a putter its got enough loft to get the ball up and you wont skull it like a wedge and i can usually get it to within a foot or 2 of the hole

 

[Smiffy]

I dont know how many people use it but if i am not happy with putting i have been known to go to the hybrid and "putt" with it.

A mate of mine uses his hybrid from light rough around the green and usually puts his ball very close.
First time I saw him do it was when he was partnering his brother (much lower handicap) who had a go at him before he played his shot telling him not to be so stupid.
My mate then canned his hybrid shot from the rough and you should have seen his brothers face. He didn't have much more to say from then on in...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My old mucker HTL is a bit of a wizard with the old hybrid from off the breen and used it to great effect at the Downshire managing five chip ins over the four rounds we played on the Longest Day challenge.

 

[RGDave]

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??

I'm going with the "play it as you see it" idea.

I tend to chip the ball more often than not, I must confess.

An inch or two off, close to the flag, the old texas wedge wins everytime. From more than 10-20', I rate my chances more with a C 'n' R.