Short game question....

[BRISTOL86]

When you are very close to the green, but too far for putting to be feasible, is it generally better to try and play a low chip and run to the hole, or go for maximum loft so that it doesn't run far from where it lands?

Or is it entirely dependent on your own preference/green condition/speed?

 

[DannyOT]

The safest choice is usually to use something like an 8 iron and do a little chip and run that is in the air for 30% of the time and then (hopefully) rolls the other 70% towards the hole.

I am partial to doing silly flop shots from just off the green but they very rarely end up closer than the equivalent chip and run.

 

[louise_a]

I certainly do better far more often with the 8iron chip and run, its great when a high shot sits next to the hole but the risk of thinning it across the green stops me doing it unless there is a obstacle to get over.

 

[3PuttCharlie]

If you had to 'throw' the ball to get as close to the hole as you could, would you choose to throw overarm or underarm?

Similar trajectories for a chipshot or flopshot

 

[lyden]

Neither of mine go close but my instructor always wants it landing a couple of feet on and running.

 

[SammmeBee]

The shorter the back swing the less margin for error.......

 

[two-clubs]

The shorter the back swing the less margin for error.......

This sounds like brilliant advice.

 

[BRISTOL86]

Yep, makes perfect sense. Thanks all.

 

[DAVEYBOY]

I'm personally better with the higher lofted club (My 58) as I just seem to blast low runners past but I rarely practice the low runners so it makes sense.

 

[Imurg]

Get it on the green as soon as possible.
Generally, I only use loft if I have to go over something or the flag is close to the near edge of the green
If it's on the other side from you, it's flattish then a chip with the club that lands the ball on the green and runs out is many people's favourite.
But it all depends on how good your short game is, how you see the shot and how well you're playing.
Everyone will see it differently. There's no right or wrong way.

 

[duncan mackie]

distance alone isn't the primary barrier to putting it - the issues that dictate the most appropriate shot are all about ;

1. your lie
2. the nature of the ground immediately in front of the ball
3. contours and slopes of the green between the edge and the hole
4. what's beyond the hole
5. based on the responses so far, your competence and confidence!

if, as Imurg puts it, it's flattish between the edge of the green and the hole then the deciding factor is the relative distances to the edge of the green, and from the edge to the hole. if the latter is equal, or greater, than the former then I will aim to land the ball on the green and select the club as appropriate to the ratio and green speed (on my course that's a 52 wedge for 50/50, PW for 40/60)

if it's less, the there is a good fringe etc, I will look to land the ball at a point that I can predict the rollout and select the club for that.

there are times when the green isn't 'flattish' and it's more difficult to predict the balls path when rolling than it would be to fly it further and control it from there - the longer the shot overall the easier it is to play this shot.

 

[londonlewis]

Two things to consider;
It is significantly easier to hit a target one foot in front of you than 30 foot away so you should always aim to land the ball as close to you as possible and have it roll to the hole like a putt.

But, you also want to make sure you are landing the ball on a flat part of the green as this will ensure it reacts consistently.

So determining your landing spot should be the closest flat part of the green. Which will determine whether you are going to hit a bump and run or fly the ball to the hole.

 

[RGDave]

Learn both shots and have a competition to see which is best.

Personally, I'd rather chip and run than play a little pitch. I also know which is more likely to end up close to the hole.

But, there's no wrong or right. Just experience and what suits.

(and the conditions, and lie, and slopes...)

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I'll chip with anything from 58' wedge to 4H depending on the lie, pin position, amount of rough\green, ground conditions etc etc. Thegenral consensus is to get it on the green and rolling ASAP but to have a good short game, you don't want to be too one dimesional.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

KISS (keep it simple stupid). Play the easiest shot possible which will usually be a chip and run. I see loads of the juniors in particular always trying to hit the TV shot high and soft and not always with too much success