How to hit a "low checker" with a lob wedge?

[Danattherock]

Heard someone talking about a "low checker" with a lob wedge. A low trajectory shot that hits the green, bounces once, then on the second contact with the green, it checks and stops dead in its tracks.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to properly hit this shot?

I am curious about the ball position and type of swing required.

Sounds like an awesome shot. I have seen this, or something similar to it, on tv before. But have no idea how to properly execute the shot.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[lhshurdl3r]

This is usually the kind of shot i hit when i'm around the green. I usually play the ball further back in my stance (just in front of my big toe) and when I shift my weight on the downswing, I make sure my weight is well ahead of the club and on my front foot, with the hands ahead. You have to have some follow through of the ball will just hit, release and keep rolling. A short backswing with a quick acceleration through the ball will do the trick.

[ddalet]

I play this shot on every chip opportunity I get... I shouldn't but I enjoy it and life is short.

It will take hours and hours of practice for you to develop this.

I will give you what I focus on when practicing this shot.

1. Make sure that you hit the ball on the downswing. I visualise the club taking a divot about a half an inch in front of the ball. It is optional to take this divot, but it will help you train this shot. Once you have it down, you can remove it from the equation if you like.

2. Make sure there is no wrist action at impact, and that you are 'pulling' your left arm through the ball. This is a check swing, which means the clubhead should not turn over at any moment. An exaggeratedly 'open' stance should help you groove your check swing during practice.

3. I like to follow through without releasing my left arm. So my follow through looks like my left elbow is glued to my torso and I am just rotating it.

Try these tips. If I can, I will video it for you when I have a chance. Let me know of your progress.

Cheers, Daniel

[dmagalhaes]

I play this shot on every chip opportunity I get... I shouldn't but I enjoy it and life is short.

What he said

[HSip]

"Originally Posted by ddalet
I play this shot on every chip opportunity I get... I shouldn't but I enjoy it and life is short.

It will take hours and hours of practice for you to develop this ."

It's an awesome shot IF you can pull it off but as the above poster states "hours and hours of practice...". Because under pressure it is SO easy to blade it over the green. Good luck with it.

[Leftygolfer]

I think one of the main keys to hitting this shot is the wedge. I can play this shot with my 64 with the MD grooves but I can not with my 60 that is older. I have always hit my pitches low with alot of spin. It is wierd because I am hitting it with a 64 which you would think would be high and soft. A real key is to really deloft the wedge and have the hands far in front of the ball to get that decending blow.

But again, if you want be able to really play that shot you got to have new wedges. I am personally trying to teach myself to actually hit it higher and use both spin and height. I would like to know exactly how the ball is coming off the face but I try to hit is high and it comes out low because I let my hands turn over.

Also must have a good lie.

[DavidFehertysBike]

The condition of the green is probably just as important as your technique with the club. Most of us play loosely grained, bumpy greens, which arent as receptive to that kind of shot. Unless you play tight,firm greens most of the time, its a shot i would leave out of your normal bag of tricks. A simple pitch and roll will do the same job most of the time.

[Fat Slice]

My buddy hits that shot every time around the green, blading it 1 in 100 shots only. His wedge is a 58 degree and it's olllllllllllllllllllllllllllllld. I'm thinking the practice, practice, practice is the main thing. I might try to do this myself so I can have shorter (and hopefully fewer) putts.

[DKunks]

probably the most important thing for making the ball dance is having perfectly clean grooves.

tour caddies clean their guys clubs so that they are perfect everytime they are pulled out of the bag.

next to that, firm wrists and an aggressive swing.

this is a great play for those 25 - 50 yard pitch shots, because you can go right at the pin.

[billysandy]

some people are making this out to be a way more difficult shot than it is. it was the only way i chipped when i started 9 months ago, with a spin milled 60*. i play it with weight in the middle, ball just in front of right toe (right handed) and hitting thru it will give you check, because it's far back in your stance and your naturally squeezing the ball against the ground. Just experiment!

[Danattherock]

Great replies guys! I really appreciate it. I am playing in the morning and will give it a try. Driving range is closed for irrigation work, but I will drop a few extra balls when time allows. Sounds like an awesome shot when performed properly.

Quick question:

How long is a standard wedge. Lob, Sand, and Gap?

Reason I ask, I have over length clubs, maybe 1.5" or so but can't remember exactly. I am ordering some Cleveland wedges from Golfsmith and they can order them overlength and with my upright 2 degrees, but I need to verify what length my current clubs are (compared to standard) before ordering. Anyone know the "standard length of these clubs? Any help greatly appreciated.

[laconic517]

hands being soft imo is the #1 thing. If you deathgrip it you wont get the speed through the ball and it wont spin.

Play it back in your stance with your hands ahead and as long as your hands are ahead at impact it should come out pretty low with spin.

Make sure you are playing good golf balls too......yo wont get it to check if you are using pinnacles or some hard cover distance ball.