Archive for the ‘The Wedge Shot’ Category
The Bump and Run – A Good Alternative Shot Near the Green
If you are near the green and have a clear opening to the flag you have a few options in your approach. You can either use a more lofted club such as a pitching, lob or sand wedge or you can utilize what is called the bump and run technique with a less lofted club such as the 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 iron. Tiger Woods sometimes even uses a 4 iron, utilizing his putting setup and grip, and makes a smooth putting stroke in many cases around the green and it works well for him as you can imagine.
In my opinion the bump and run, especially for the beginning golfer will give you the best odds for getting closer to the cup if you are on the fringe or have a clear approach to the flagstick. The key to a consistently successful shot here is practice as is the key with most any part of the game. The method I would recommend for the beginner is to set up your body and alignment as if you were going to putt, maybe a bit open to the hole, which means your right shoulder and foot will be slightly forward of a parallel alignment to your left.
{Note: this direction is for right hand golfers and opposite for left hand golfers.}
Next, lean your weight toward your left side and set the ball slightly right of center toward your right foot.
Close the clubface a bit and hit the ball as if you were hitting a putt but with a slightly more descending blow.
This will be considered the BUMP. Make sure to follow thru about the same distance as you took the club back to allow for the RUN, whereby the balls lands and rolls on the green, thus the term Bump and Run. Practice hitting golf balls using this technique and it should help shave as few strokes off your score. Happy Golfing to All!
In order to overcome an obstacle in the way of your approach, such as a sand trap, tree or water hazard the shot will require a different strategy. This will also depend on the amount of distance to the obstacle, the trajectory required to clear it and still reach the flag location. The most important thing is to concentrate on is the shot at hand and follow thru to a finished position. The strategy I use to get over an obstacle quickly is to set up with a higher lofted club such as the sand or lob wedge with the ball position nearer left foot, similar to when using the driver. I then lay the club face open so the ball pops up faster than normal and open my shoulders slightly when I position myself for the shot. The term lay open means the clubface is approaching a flat position with the blade pointing upward and a bit right in relation to your stance and the ground.
{Fore: See Photo on left – In my opinion the best choice of the golf clubs available for this type of shot is the lob wedge. It will provide the greatest angle trajectory to allow the player to clear the obstacle while also giving them the best stop action when the ball lands on the green. If you do not carry a lob wedge select the most lofted club in your bag, such as the sand wedge instead.}
I also break my wrists back sharply and quickly, which also promotes height and less distance, which is your goal for this type of shot. Remember to follow through to a finished position or there is a good chance you will leave the shot short of your intended landing area. You can try this shot even if there is no obstacle in your way to get a feel for the line of ball flight you will achieve for future reference under actual playing conditions. How close you get to your target will be determined by the following:
- The distance away,
- Your set up and grip techniques,
- The amount of follow thru combined with the speed of your swing thru the ball at impact.
Accuracy and touch for distance will come with practice but the main goal is to get over the obstacle and onto the green and not land in a sand trap, tree, water or other hazard that may lie in front of you. This is one of the tougher shots required in golf so if you master this one it will help your game and score tremendously. Practice is the Key. Happy Golfing to All!