The use of wedges on the green.

[Parmo]

Hi All,
I noticed this weekend that players where using wedges on the greens, I thought in my noobie state that only a putter could be used on the green, is this correct that wedges can be used?

Thank you in advance.

 

[benny]

You can use your wedge absolutely. But be prepared to take lots of flak for it because as you know, golf is full of people who can't wait to complain

And replace any divots you might make.

And watch out for the head green keeper, the club captain, the pro, the secretary....

I've never had to use this shot and I'd recommend that you use it as little as often in your golfing life

 

[Ken_A]

I questioned this on the the course yesterday. I was suprised to be told that you can use any club from tee to green, as long as you repair any damage. As benny said, the greenkeeper would be p1ssed, and you might find you seem to be getting a lot of flat tyres while playing.

 

[benny]

Its bad enough landing in someones pitchmark on the green (happened to me in the medal on Saturday, cost me a couple of shots grrrrr) but to land in someones divot on the green! I'd be after to you with a 4 iron if I knew who you were!

 

[birdieman]

Benny, how did landing in a pitchmark cost you 2 shots?

You can repair a pitchmark so I hope you didn't putt out of it.

 

[benny]

It was a hollow-y half arsed repair pitchmark job. Wasn't sure on the ruling, didnt want to improve my lie or whatever so I left it. The ball looked ok as it was lying but when I putted it the little bugger flew almost up my nose and then stopped ten feet short. 3 putts later and it was in.....I lost the medal by 4....rue the day my son, rue the live long day.

 

[Parmo]

Nice one lads if I need a little chip uphill my wedge will be used.

 

[GB72]

I think the question should not be as to whether you can use a wedge on the green but as to whether you should. I suspect that anyone leaving a divot on the green would be soundly flogged at the next AGM.

 

[birdieman]

Has anyone ever tried it (chipping on a green)?

I wouldn't dare.

Forgetting your putter and using another club to putt doesn't count.

 

[pjaz]

I've seen Mickleson especially do this a few times over the last couple of years. I think its right to consider whether you should (from a skills perspective that is, if you get it wrong it will cost you a lot especially at your own club) and not whether it is permitted - then again how many play on those type of greens!! was it Gary player who said a bad put is better than a good chip -or something alomng those lines.

 

[Ken_A]

then again how many play on those type of greens!!

I totally agree - Chipping may be the only cay to get the ball to the hole with some of the positions- but it should be left to the pros.

 

[thecraw]

I did it on the 15th green during the Club Championship Quarter Final playing against the secretary. Bottom line was it was the only way I had to get the ball close and I put it to an inch also taking a "skiff" like divot in front of 20-30 people. Pin was in a bloody stupid place which meant I would have to putt off the green over a grassy mound and back down the slope onto the green again and hope to get it close! (France to that lottery!)

Yes I could feel the stares and hear the tuts, but its in the rules. (I incidently lost 3+2 on the next green!)

 

[RGuk]

I chipped up the last (from on the front) at the belfry with a 5 wood!! no bother at all. Would I use a wedge....NO....legal, but rather un-sporting to divot up your greens . Might try a 7 iron??

 

[RGuk]

Also.......DID YOU SEE THE DIVOT!!!! ARGGHHHH

Shocking, some lazy arsed u.s. caddie couldn't be bothered to replace his player's monster gouge on the 18th at Augusta.
BANKER.

If that had been me, I'd have called a rules official and asked them to "play the tape before" I proceeded. I know it's part of the game and all, but REALLY, that sucked - how hard could it have been to replace? Don't they have little gnomes raking bunkers and cutting grass with scissors???

"Oh we have fans underneath the greens you know, and divots as bad as any $17 municipal"

Hang your heads in shame......you, the pair that did this.

 

[medwayjon]

As far as I am concerned I would do it if necessary. I have total respect for the rules and as they allow it, why not do it if it is to the benefit of ones score?

By necessary I do mean ABSOULUTELY necessary, not like some of the juniors I see who do nothing but play poorly executed flop-shots anywhere within 50yards of the green.

 

[benny]

Ah but its these same juniors who have no fear of the flop shot and no fear of putting either. The sad thing is when they get older and people have discouraged their experimental tendancies, they'll always go for the chip and run incase they fluff the flop. Then they'll always try and use the putter incase they chunk the chip. Then when they get within 6 feet years later they'll be in 3 putt country and theyll be miserable like you so let the youngsters have their fun doing a Mickelson. Maybe one of them will put on a Green Jacket one day if we let them work it out.

 

[medwayjon]

I'm not being that narrow about the issue Benny. What I am trying to say is that by flopping ALL the time they have a very limited arsenal when it comes to shot-making around the greens.

I have seen some taking flops on from 8ft off of the green when a simple chip would be the answer but because they are obsessed with the "fancy-dan" stuff they are compromising their scores.

Even Mr Flop-Shot himself is much less likely to play that particular shot now than he was 5 years ago. Scoring consistently is about playing the percentage shot sometimes and the more tools you have in the box, the better chance you have of scoring well.

 

[benny]

I agree - you need all the shots to score well, and you need to know when to use them. But a good junior will work it out before long and play the percentage shot. You gotta let kids have fun though, When I first went out onto a course I wanted to hit every driver like Tiger, every long shot with a draw, flop every wedge and punch it, fade it - none of it was ever needed but I was just enjoying hitting the ball. I'm mister 3/4 swing, low shot, never go for a par 5 in 2 now - I score well enough but I miss that swashbuckling approach that I had as a junior.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I miss the hours spent on the putting green at Wimbledon Common as a kid in the early 80's. Back then you could chip onto it without getting into trouble so would literally spend hours at a time hitting flops, low punchy skimmers that would bounce once and then bite, pitch and runs high soft chips etc.

I don't mind the kids today having the flop shot in the bag and even going out and playing it all the time but the problem is thay only ever use the one shot. Yes they normally execute the flop or high chip or pitch pretty well but invariably leave a 15-20 foot putt. By playing a higher % shot i.e. the pitch and run that 15-20 micht be 10-6 feet and a better chance of single putting

 

[mick]

I think one the main problems is having somewhere to practice the bump and run type shots,I know no chipping is allowed on my clubs practice green,it is high risk to play a shot in a competition that you havent even practised it.