Short game sweet strikes.....

[Macster]

Well, now that its light till 8pm, I thought I'd start on my intention to practise the short game, and so nipped down to the chipping green last night.

Overall, reasonably happy, hit some chip & runs with my 8 which went well.

Then, went to my 54* Vokey from about 10yds off the green, and whilst I was quite happy, the quality of strike was varying to say the least.
Most landed and rolled out, whilst some bit like a good un, one bounce and stop.
Obviously the quality of strike which was differing, so looks like I need to work on it to make sure that I know its going to stop where it hits etc.
On Full shots, these Vokey's stop VERY quickly, but getting that crispness of strike looks like its a helluva lot more tricky on greenside chips.

Anyone any tips ?

 

[birdieman]

Were you using the same make of ball for all your practice chipping? If not some premium balls will spin and bite far more than other not so premium balls.

Other than that you need hands ahead of ball through the shot to get a low flying but biting chip.

I would keep the ball back in stance to make a descending blow thereby creating spin and lessen the chance of a fat.

All the books would advise playing these shots with whatever club lets you land on the green edge first and allow the ball to run to the hole ie play an 8 iron if a 7 won't carry to the green or a 9 if the 8 wont carry to the green etc.

Spinning short lobs look cool but aren't often the best shot choice for consistent results because the spin can be unpredictable.
If you have put yourself in a bad position near the green leaving no room between you and the flag then the spinning high loft chip may be required.

 

[Macster]

Yep was using ProV practise balls, I have a tube as I really dont like practising with anything other etc.

Good point re unpredictability, I guess the chip and runs are the way to go, and leave the quick stopping wedge shots for full strikes etc.

 

[TonyN]

Chris, I dont generate alot of spin with my wedges around the green so just play to let the ball run out.

I love short game practice and it shows, I hit flag sticks all the time from around the green, I frequently have chip ins too.

I use my PW to chip on and aim to land the ball halfway and run out the other half. Obv if it was up hill or down I would adjust accordingly. I use a 7 from the fringe and try to land it 1/3 of the way and let it run out for the further 2/3's

 

[USER1999]

That is why the spin milled vokeys are in the cupboard. I prefer a wedge with more predictable spin, just a first check, and then roll out.

I am sure the vokeys are great wedges, but only for a really solid ball striker. I find the same with any zip grooved mac daddy spin milled wedge. I prefer the old vokey 200 series. Less agressive, but more predictable.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Most advice is to get the ball onto the putting green asap and let it run out. I tend to play most of my shots with a PW or 9 iron and will only use the 58 or 52 where I need a degree of stop