Many beginner golfers believe there is only one way to play a shot when close to the green and that’s to chip up in the air and get it to land as close to the hole as possible.
While there is nothing wrong with this shot, there will be times when it is just not suitable. A good example of which is when playing on a links course. If the weather has been dry and the greens are firm plus the wind is blowing hard, you will find it extremely difficult to control a ball in the air.
Furthermore, if the greens on the course you are playing are large and feature significant run-off areas, you do not need to reach for the wedge when playing from the edge of the green. Another option you have is to play the bump and run shot.
Even if the chip shot is available from where your ball is sitting, you may not be playing this shot well during your round and the bump and run shot gives you a good alternative.
The bump and run shot is a low shot, with minimal backspin, which bounces and runs along the fairway or rough before reaching the green and continuing to roll towards the hole. If there are no hazards present between your ball and the green, you play the bump and run from just off the green or from 150 yards away.
To play a successful bump and run shot, you must use a club which has lower loft than what you would usually use for a chip shot. So, leave the wedge in the bag and try practicing this shot using an 8 iron. You can use other irons when playing the bump and run shot but the great thing about this club is even if you catch the shot thin, the result will still be decent.
To start with, drop the ball about 50 yards from the pin, this is an ideal distance for learning how to play the shot. Make sure the ground ahead of you is flat or slightly uphill and there are no hazards between the ball and the green.
Keeping the shaft of the club in an upright position, align the face of the club to the target and move the grip forward slightly, moving your weight a little onto your front foot. Taking this position will help keep the ball close to the ground.
When playing the shot, keep the wrists stiff and think about it as a putting stroke, using the shoulders and moving through the ball in a sweeping motion. Keep your hands ahead of the club face and your head still. The follow through of a bump and run will match that of your backswing.
Having perfected the technique, you must learn to judge the distance of the shot. Think about where you need the ball to bounce, to give it the best chance of reaching the hole. Always take into consideration both the distance and the lay of the land because any undulations will have an impact on the ball.
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