Just off the green for high cappers

[mhenrickson]

How far out do you guys play the bump and run chips? Do you play them from the rough too? I'll usually pull my 7-iron if I'm on the fringe or just off if I have a relatively flat line to the cup. But, if the green is elevated, wouldn't you want a more lofted club to go high and land soft? If I'm farther off the green I'll use my 60 wedge to get it high.

[DaSportsGuy]

When I'm on the fringe I always use my putter. I was watching the golf channel and on some show it said that 9/10 times off the fringe you will get it closer to the hole with a putter than any other club. I would say that hold true for me.

From just off the green I usually use my 7 iron and just run it up.

Anywhere more than two feet off the green I will always use my 60°.

[allin]

What do you think as far as chips pitches, etc. do you think high cappers should use at about 20 yds in? I think I just get overwhelmed in these situations and need an easy to execute go to shot in these situations.

You need at least two shots minimum, a baby pitch type for uphill, heavier grass, etc using a sandwedge and a bump and run shot plade with a short iron or wedge, think of it as putting with a short iron. If close enough or grass is short enough you can putt. When you can hit both of these shots fairly consistently then you can start adding the frills, lob wedge, open up the sandwedge, extra spin etc.

[zeg]

Practice with everything from your most lofted wedge to your 6 iron or something like that. Being able to use different clubs can be useful for getting the right distance. This is something you have to practice to get the right feeling, you can't pull out an 8i first time on the course and expect it to work. If you practice with those clubs, you will notice how easy distance control can be.

My personal feeling is that, as a relative beginner, it's better to practice with one club until you've got it completely down. For me, that's been my 56° wedge and is now my 52°. It's not the ideal club or chip for every shot, but it's good enough, and as the OP mentioned, you can get hung up choosing what club to use if you have options. Simplifying it to a single shot that you practice every time out will help. Later, you can add more subtleties and go from having a decent shot to having an ideal shot from more situations.

When I'm on the fringe I always use my putter. I was watching the golf channel and on some show it said that 9/10 times off the fringe you will get it closer to the hole with a putter than any other club. I would say that hold true for me.

I've seen this advice a lot, and it doesn't work for me. I'm better at judging a chip over the fringe than I am at a putt rolling through it. Maybe this is because I play at inexpensive courses where the fringe is a little unpredictable, but I'm also generally pretty poor at long putts.

[VOX]

I fall in the high index category, so I guess I qualify to answer this question.

I just pulled my 60* and 56* out and put in a 58* with plenty of bounce. It is more consistent for me on flop shots and works beautifully out of traps. It also gives me room for another hybrid (5 wood equivalent).

[Woters]

I couldnt pull my 60* its just too effective from the fluffy stuff to ever put away for a 3iron or a hybrid.

Short game takes mucho practice.

Yes it does & its one of the most rewarding things ever. 90% of people go to a range hitting hundreds of balls with the big stick & NEVER go to wedge/short iron work, then cry they cant get it close from 20/30 yards.

A good trick to check the ball close is to open a wedge 56 or 60, whatever suits you, open the stance until the club face is sqaure to target & then regrip club normally. Nice little chip shot & the ball SHOULD land where you hit it & check very quickly, try it & see. Very effective from short range & once mastered a good "go to shot" on the course.

[drglew]

I just pulled my 60* and 56* out and put in a 58* with plenty of bounce. It is more consistent for me on flop shots and works beautifully out of traps.

+1 Bingo--equipment can make one's life easier; i guess i'm a "mid-handicapper" now, and getting rid of my low-bounce 60* has helped me get there. Yes, i felt like Phil Mickelson if/when I could play a heroic flop, but too often it was a less-than-heroic bladed skull, or else a digging chunk -- either way, i was still chipping with my next shot and not putting. Eliminate double-chips (esp when paired with 3-putts) and you too can go from 100's to 90/80's, even when your ballstriking is sloppy. If you can get up & down in two freqently enough, you can get your index to single-digits - without really hitting any more greens than before. My last round of 85 included only 4 GIR if i recall correctly...

[noefi13b]

I subscribe to the worse putt is usually better than your best chip school of thought... anywhere up to 35 out!

if I do need to chip then I've started to use my 4 wood a lot hold it with a putting grip and swing it like a putter.....

In circumstances where you have to pop the ball up (to clear thick rough or a bunker) I will go to a wedge and just trust the shot.... if I chuck it so be it.....

[Haacker15]

if its like on the rough right next to the green i use my 7 iron and act like im putting cuz it would keep the ball out of the rough but it would land like a putt on the green

[WhackAndHack]

The one thing I have learned is, don't try and be cute with it. If you have to chip a 3 hybrid (with a putting motion) to just get it within a 10 foot radius. Do it. Whatever it takes to score. There's no pictures on the scorecard.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by kilbyman

What do you think as far as chips pitches, etc. do you think high cappers should use at about 20 yds in? I think I just get overwhelmed in these situations and need an easy to execute go to shot in these situations.

I'd pick up a Bobby Jones wedge and use the 56.

Why? They are heavier than a normal wedge and will quiet your hands. They also offer some forgiveness because there is perimeter weighting behind the insert. The insert is also indestructible, so if you're learning the game, it's a great club. It's also very accurate because of the weight. A great club for those needing some help.

As to the shot, keep your weight on the front side during the entire shot, narrow your stance a bit, put the ball just back of middle and make a mini swing, hitting down on the ball and through, extending your right arm (for a righty). Try not to release the right hand so it overtakes the left.

[GaijinGolfer]

Especially for high handicappers, your best chip is a putt.

[saevel25]

when possible always putt. Usually i do if i have a decent stretch of fringe. But i will chip if i need to carry to a point on the green, lets say you have a large mound infront of you, and it might be better to clear it with a chip rather gauge speed with a putt. A cool shot, if your short sided, just in the rough. Put the ball back in your stance, bring your hands forward, with the putter, cock the wrist early a bit and just drop the putter head on the ball. The ball will pop out of the rough really nice.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Gordon McTavish

I guess I'm qualified to respond here as a high Handicapper.

Personally, I'd rather use a 64* wedge from the fringe to a hole that is 20 yards away. I know the conventional wisdom is to get the ball rolling soon, I find that hitting high lobs close to a pin is great for one's confidence!

This still makes me chuckle. In part because it's true. With the right stroke it becomes routine.