You're in the rough just off the green and the pin is 30 yards away. What do you do?

[svchiefs19]

Do you prefer a higher lob shot that lands close to the pin and checks (what Mickelson does) or a low bump-and-run shot that gets on the green as fast as possible?

[JSwiney10]

I would definately sky the ball with plenty of backspin. That way you can use enough power to make sure it gets out of the rough but then backspin will make it stop dead on the green. works for me 90% of the time. A bump and run move is risky because it might get tangled in the rough and not make it to the green or it might clear the rough more easily than you expected and roll off the green onto the fringe.

[CG031]

It wouldn't be a complete flop, or a low bump n run, it would most likely be a pitch that's in between the two - something that's fairly easy to control.

It really also matters on the terrain and shot in front of you though, making the the thread, eh, somewhat pointless.

[bogeyhitter25]

I'm not really a fan of the big, high lob shot (I've skulled it off the green too many times). But I'm not sure what you mean by "low bump-and-run". If you mean a long iron (3,4,5), than no. But I'd probably use either a pitching wedge, or a nine iron depending on the lie and whether the green is elevated, downhill, or flat.

[MI Rob]

Something in the middle, depends on how deep the rough is and what the conditions are. Usually a pitch though but like said it depends on the rough and how much green you have to work with.

[pshizz]

I would definately sky the ball with plenty of backspin. That way you can use enough power to make sure it gets out of the rough but then backspin will make it stop dead on the green. works for me 90% of the time. A bump and run move is risky because it might get tangled in the rough and not make it to the green or it might clear the rough more easily than you expected and roll off the green onto the fringe.

The high lob shot is actually the most risky. That shot requires the most skill and a pure strike for it to do what you want. The bump n' run is the least risky, depending on how much green you have to work with. A high log shot is very easy to skull over the green or chunk and land short of the green.

[Jesh]

I always play these a little short with my PW, and get it to run a little.

[kris]

of course it depends on the setup. sand, trees, lie in the rough. under normal conditions though i feel the best with my sand wedge producing a moderately high shot with some roll. in between a flop and a long runner.

[JSwiney10]

It wouldn't be a complete flop, or a low bump n run, it would most likely be a pitch that's in between the two - something that's fairly easy to control.

agreed, it seems that every type of shot has it own time and place. Learning what that time and place is, is the hard part

[elcash]

I've been playing the short course at the local range to practice some chipping and putting, and this describes almost every hole. I was under the impression that getting the ball on the ground as soon as possible (within reason) was the path to the most control. I'm sure there are exceptions. My best chip shots happen when I approach them like putts...

But a high lob that checks isn't a shot I have in my bag (yet). I don't know what kind of clubhead speed that takes, but at least I get to try the shot again (when my ball ends up 30 yds away on the opposite side of the pin)...

[JackLee]

30 yards????? The courses I play don't have any greens that big.

[elcash]

30 yards????? The courses I play don't have any greens that big.

I remember playing Tiger Woods '08 and having some 100+ foot putts...

[powermatt99]

I would do a little pitch and roll with my 52° or 58° depending on the lie and terrain. To me, the beauty of backspin, is being able to control the roll. I know everyone wants to spin it back like Phil but I don't know if I'd ever know when to hit that shot. Anyway, my iron set is so geared toward game improvement that the huge sole and enormous head don't help me get through rough too easily so I'm almost forced to hit my wedges out of greenside rough.

[Zeph]

Impossible to tell without knowing the lie and what is in front of the green. Sitting up high with lots of green I'll do chip and run. If it's sitting down and I have to carry slopes or a lot of rough I'll pitch it out with my 58º.

[David in FL]

Sorry. Absolutely impossible to answer without examining the actual lie.

[wolfridge]

I believe I would forward press and try to hit a mid-height two hop-stop shot. I am faced with this situation constantly in the tournaments I play around here (I guess I can't hit a 20+yard green from 150 yards so I end up chipping a lot). I like the forward press shot because I guarantee myself crisp contact, when I flop, which I do when I am presented with an obstacle I must clear, I hit it well about %70 of the time, which just isn't good enough. I like the two hop-stop forward press chip the best, and I'm actually using it in more situations around the green now, its becoming my most consistent stroke.

[RC]

It depends on the grass, the slopes and contours, and how well I feel about various shots at that moment in time. To confess, if I am a little uncertain, I putt or hit a toe down, putting stroke "chip-putt" with a six iron -- rolling for as much of the distance as I can.

We can have several 100 foot putts and some greens where hitting a flop from a location already on the putting green (you are on the green but a putt would not allow you to get close) is your best option. Recently, the greenskeeper has stopped using some pin locations just to remove the "on the green flopper" from the best option. Today, a player in our group had a putt that getting to within 10 feet was realistic only by pitching. He putted and wound up further from the hole that he started. So, choice of shot is always a matter of the specific situation and the way your confidence and ability are telling you is the best.

[higdonp]

I'm just a beginner but I do what I've termed a "chop" shot. It is the blend of a chip and loft shot. I only have a gap wedge below my PW so I've had to adapt. I keep my stance narrow and my left arm and wrist stiff and choke down but put the ball in the middle of my stance to take advantage of the club loft (52 deg). I usually take a few practice shots with a nice fluid swing (including knee flex) and about a 25% take away and then take the shot. Practice at the range with it first though.