How far is too far to be chipping from

[jfrain2004]

Hey,
since the start of this year I've decided it's better to play the simple shot rather than the "crowd pleaser" and get on the green ASAP and take my par rather than try for a birdie and maybe endup with a double Bogie.
The shots I'm talking about are when you are 30 - 40 yards from a green with nice cut fairway and no obstacles to carry between you and the green. Last year I would tend to pull out my wedge and lob it on, now I use my 8/7/6 iron and chip N run it on. The result has been all my rounds so far in the high 70's where by last year my average round was mid 80's, so 5 - 6 shots less on average.
One of my golfing buddies remarked that chipping from that distance was not what the game was about and you don't see the pro's doing it. My reply was I'm not a pro and the problem there are so many hackers out there is that they don't realize they are not pro's and they all try to hit these high risk shots and end up skulling or chilli dipping cause they havn't got the skill to pull it off.
I can comfortably play to single digit handicap now but question is will this type of play impede my progress in the long run or does any one else do this

[hawkeye]

I played a match at the weekend in very strong winds - there was a par-4 into the wind, water left and right (both short) of the green. My opponant and I were 100 yards to the centre, the pin a few yards beyond that. He hit a sand wedge in high, which was pulled back by the wind and spun into the fringe 40 feet short left. I took an 8-iron and chipped/pitched it in to 3 feet. He 3-putted and gave me the hole. I tried this 3 more times in the round and never took more than a par. I will be doing it more often

[907golfer12]

This is actually a very safe and good shot. And to your friend who said no pros do it, he should watch more European Tour events, because most of their tournaments are played in quite a bit of wind, and so most of them play that shot. So you keep playing it and good luck in lowering your handicap.

[hawkeye]

yes of course - to echo 907, tell your friend to take a look at the British Open, you will see every pro that competes to win hitting shots in low, even when there's no wind.

After the last month we've had in Ireland, a lot of the courses are playing short, with hard ground making it the best shot a lot of the time. Your friend should realise that hitting the ball in high is not what golf is all about - golf originated with the low shot onto the green in Scotland.

[bcp]

Your buddy sounds like an ass. Perhaps he prefers to see you flub a wedge rather than run one up close to the hole?

I think you already have your answer: do whatever you are most comfortable and have the best chance. You will also find that one size doesn't fit all in this scenario, be sure to factor in all influencing elements prior to making your shot.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I played a match at the weekend in very strong winds - there was a par-4 into the wind, water left and right (both short) of the green. My opponant and I were 100 yards to the centre, the pin a few yards beyond that. He hit a sand wedge in high, which was pulled back by the wind and spun into the fringe 40 feet short left. I took an 8-iron and chipped/pitched it in to 3 feet. He 3-putted and gave me the hole. I tried this 3 more times in the round and never took more than a par. I will be doing it more often

Thats what im talking about..

Ive hit 150 yard chips with my 5 iron..lol. Well they're more like mini punch shots, but I love executing the long chip and play them every time is feasable to do so.

[chingali]

One of my golfing buddies remarked that chipping from that distance was not what the game was about and you don't see the pro's doing it.

As mentioned by others, you certainly do see pros hitting all sorts of chips and low runners from all over the place.

Two phrases come to mind, "It's not how it's how many" and as my grandfather was fond of saying "you don't draw pictures on your scorecard you only write down numbers".

[blackxpress]

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to your question. It depends on pin placement, speed, contour of the green, etc. If you're confident with the bump and run shot from that distance, why not take it? Most of the greens on my home course would eat my lunch if I tried it. Of course, that might have a lot to do with my particular skill set but most of our greens are very small and fast. I can usually chip with my 8I from just off the fringe with favorable results. Any further than that and I end up rolling it past the cup with a long putt back.

[MrSandman]

One of my golfing buddies remarked that chipping from that distance was not what the game was about and you don't see the pro's doing it.

Actually, that is how the game was started, and what the game is about. We are the ones who changed it. British Open golf is all about the bump and run.

If it works for you, go for it. I think you should be comfortable doing this from 130 yds and in, provided the course allows for this style play. If I have a clear look at the green, I will usually try to land the ball at that distance. But if I have a branch or something impeding the ball flight, I am very comfortable playing a long pitch with a 7I or 8I. When I use a long pitch style shot, my 8I goes about 90 yards. My 7I goes about 100, my 6I goes about 110. I do use these shots. I find that my full 60 or 56 or 52 degree wedges are more accurate, but it is difficult to mess up the mid/low iron pitches, they are very consistent and do work.

Thats what im talking about..

Exactly. I consider them a pitch style shot, but the punch is similar and also works well. I've hit the green in regulation plenty of times from odd shots where I'm using a 5I from 130 or 140 yards.

Not only is the shot effective, but the more you practice it the more comfortable you will be with your swing in general. It will open your eyes a bit to how your swing works.

[wachesawgolfer]

Number 1 Rule to scoring low in golf is to use the least lofted club possible around the greens. (Number 2 is to put the drive into play., but some would argue the order.)

[mphsglf]

I use the 6-8 iron all the time as opposed to a lob or sand wedge so long as there are no obstacles between me and the green. I am not yet consistent enough to confidently get a shot up in the air and have it land where I want it. Running the ball up onto the green ensures that at least I am on the green. I'm also in a position where being told that such a shot is 'improper' doesn't bother me because most of by lob shots look pretty improper as well. I say do what works.

[Franco!]

Number 1 Rule to scoring low in golf is to use the least lofted club possible around the greens.(Number 2 is to put the drive into play., but some would argue the order.)

No, not at all.

[Shindig]

One of my golfing buddies remarked that chipping from that distance was not what the game was about and you don't see the pro's doing it.

1. The game is about putting the ball in the cup in the fewest strokes possible.

2. Pros have used putters off the tee. Pros have laid up on par-3s. While we should aspire to be as good as the professionals, it doesn't mean that their moves must dictate what we do on the course. 3. As others have said, see the British Open. Coming soon!

[eberryhill7]

I try to use the Jack Nicklaus strategy of using only one swing as much as possible. What I mean is that I will use my normal swing for every distance that I can hit with a certain club. I will just swing away with a club until I get to my lowest club (58* wedge, 75-50 yards) and within that distance, unless I need to carry something, I will use the bump and run to get the ball close. This usually works pretty well.

[QWKDTSN]

2. Pros have used putters off the tee.

I'm not calling this into question, but it's very intriguing. In what situation, and who, has teed off with a putter? Any videos available?

[Saks]

Funny this should come up. I had a chipping lesson from my pro today.

I always use my 56 degree around the greens. Lots of height and try to get the ball to check and spin. It leads to some bad shots when you get the distance wrong... I have always done it because every now and then I would play a good one and have it check and stop right close to the pin. He showed me how to chip with PW, 9, 7, and 5 irons. I couldnt believe that I was chipping with a 5 iron! His point is that it is easier to hit a target area 10-15 feet in front of you and let the loft of the club determine how much roll you get. Instead of aiming for a target a couple of metres back from the pin. Much more room for error. Of course there are times when you need this shot, need to fly water, bunkers etc. Also when you have no green to work with.

The test. 10 feet off the green, with some rough to deal with so no putter. Hole was 20 metres onto the green. I hit 10 balls with my 56 and 2 or 3 would have been gimme putts, I thinned one way past and off the other side, left 2 desperately short and well into 2 if not 3 putt country. The rest, were scattered around, may have made a few of the putts but you wouldnt be happy about being that far away. Then with a 7 iron... 2 lipped out. another 3 were gimmes and the rest were within 10 feet. I was amazed. Having never chipped like this before, even when I felt like I hadn't hit it cleanly, instead of pulling up short, the ball would keep rolling and end up better than if I had hit my 56 that badly.

With a bit of practice on distance control with the different lofted clubs, this will massively improve my game.

He did say though to not forget about the higher spinning shot, but that it has a time and a place.