Lob Or Chip n Run ????????????

[rookie]

Are any of you guys faced with the problem of trying to decide whether to Lob it or chip n run when around the green.

i can never decide.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The general rule of thumb I have played to since learning the game is to get the ball down on the ground and running as there is more margin for error so I tend to play a chip and run where possible. The aerial route has too many variables and I only use it to go over the fringe grass around the greens, over a bunker or if I have short sided myself

 

[Deleted member 1740]

After my short game lesson today i would chip and run though each situation should be carefully examined to eliminate problems

 

[Imurg]

Play whichever shot gets the ball running on the green the soonest. This depends on many factors:- How far are you from the pin, how much rough you need to carry, how much room between fringe and pin etc etc

if you have fluffy grass between you and the pin, and the hole is cut close to your side of the green (so you have little green to run the ball on) then a lob of some sort is probably the best option. But from the same position and lots of green to work with a chip'n'run may well be best. Choose the club that flies the rough and pitches a couple of feet or so on the green. if you've judged it right the ball will roll out close to the hole.

The reason is that you can judge the roll on the green better than roll on fringe,fairway or rough

 

[birdieman]

Homer and Imurg have this right. Lobs may look cool but they're showboating - unless you have to get the ball high to clear a hazard and stop it quick. When playing around the green get the ball running on the green as soon as is possible. Play the percentages.

 

[TonyN]

Would only be looking too lob over hazards as its a harder shot to play consistently.

Run it every time if I can

 

[RGuk]

Oooh, I see most of the guys are in the chip n run camp. Me too.....ever since watching the "short game" video of Leadbetter's.

When I play with juniors, they're out with the super lofted wedges, and wonder why their ball is further away after the shot!! QED.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it is a problem with juniors all around the country. They all see Mickleson etc hit these high fancy parachute shots that nestle like an old dog by an open fire and think it is a) the norm and b) easy to do.

I've seen them at every club I've played at or visited over Christmas all there with a 60 degree LW trying to shoot it up past their nose. What they don't realise that the % shot is the running one and if they are half decent putters they will have in bred sense of feel for the shot. The impetuosity of youth!!

 

[Herbie]

I dont have any problem answering this one, there are very few occasions where a lob is required in my book, pitch and run or chip and run, far less can go wrong with this type of shot.

 

[Smiffy]

Jack Nicklaus advises that whenever possible putt rather than chip on the basis that "your average putt is going to end up closer than your average chip"...and I guess that if the ball is rolling on the green it has a better chance of dropping than if it were flying through the air.
If I have to chip I would rather play a chip and run than a lob, unless I have a bunker or long grass in the way. Learning to chip with your 7/8/9 irons will bring your handicap down quicker than relying on a sand or lob wedge.

 

[need_my_wedge]

Unless there's a hazard in the way, it's usually the Texas wedge for me.

 

[jonesuk]

Jack Nicklaus advises that whenever possible putt rather than chip on the basis that "your average putt is going to end up closer than your average chip"...and I guess that if the ball is rolling on the green it has a better chance of dropping than if it were flying through the air.
If I have to chip I would rather play a chip and run than a lob, unless I have a bunker or long grass in the way. Learning to chip with your 7/8/9 irons will bring your handicap down quicker than relying on a sand or lob wedge.

The latest issue of GM has a feature with Ronan Flood, Padraig's caddie, who says exactly the same thing - always putt if the grass is good and the option is there.

As for the original question, chip n run most times unless there is something to go over.

 

[CarpeDiem]

There is a time and a place for both.

 

[stevelockie]

Chip and run for me however I do like to land the ball on the green at all times, so I usually go for quite a lofted club for this shot.

 

[dandpl]

Are any of you guys faced with the problem of trying to decide whether to Lob it or chip n run when around the green.

i can never decide.

Chip and run every time if you can....the only thing i would add is to find if possible a flat part of the green to land on its much easier to judge the reaction of the ball, thats why you need to practice with a range of clubs...practice the high lob as well as no doubt you will need thta as well from time to time.

best of luck

dandpl

 

[Parmo]

Depends on the shot and condictions, prefer a lob but if there is nothing in the way it has to be a chip and run, that reminds me I need some practice on it.

 

[AliB]

Parmo had the vital thing - practice. The received wisdom is to keep teh ball on the gruond, but 'bump and run' needs as much judgement as a high pitch needs technique and finesse. I tend to do a low chip from close in, more of a pitch and run from farther out. (not sure I can actually hit a lob!)
Recently, pitching has been no good as the greens aren't holding at all, but I've found it hard to play a low bump and run as it's not my usual choice of shot.

AliB

 

[haplesshacker]

Just get 100% GIR and voila, no decision to make

 

[CarpeDiem]

Just get 100% GIR and voila, no decision to make

If life was only that simple what an easy game golf would be.

 

[ricardodaintino]

Run it in every time. Especially at this time of year when greens are like concrete. A lob is more like to bounce up and run off the back of the green as any backspin you put on will barely stick on the cement-like surface.