Wedge work around the green

[mdbuschsr]

Lately, I have taken to using my 52* wedge for chipping nearly everything around the green. I've gotten accurate with it to the point of running many, too many, shots right over the edge of the cup. When I try to soften the stroke, I either fat it, or blade it. More often than not I fat it. Should I drop to my 56* SW, or learn to hit the 52*? The obvious answer is learn to hit both in given situations, but my frustration is growing.

I went from loving my 60 to skulling it every time I pull it out. Now, I am deadly with the 52 but still a little too strong and I can't seem to get it right. Based on what I am seeing on the course, if I could drop a foot or two from every chip, I'd potentially be holing out 5-6 chips per round. As it is, I'm running them past 2-5 feet, and then 2-putting.

Sorry for crying in my beer... I shot a 97 today that minus one MAJOR blowup, and many chips run by could have easily been the sub-90 round I have been hoping for.

[mdbuschsr]

After re-reading my post, I obviously need to work on my mid-irons as well as my putting. My putting has really come along. I went from an undocumented 3-4 putt average per hole, to where I get really pissed if I 3-putt from less than 30 feet. I should be able to stick anything from a 6-iron down to within 2-putt range. If I lose the extra chip from the fringe, I make my sub-90.

But my question is still the same...

[andef]

You should work with all three clubs and learn how to chip with all of them. I like chipping with all my clubs even though I tend to pull out the LW too often. I'm currently working on chipping with longer clubs such as a PW or 9 iron which tend to be a higher percentage shot.

I should be able to stick anything from a 6-iron down to within 2-putt range.

It's not that easy to hit the green all the time. I'm a 6 index and don't hit that many greens with a six iron and up. One thing is hitting 8 iron or up on the green but hitting it from 150 + yards (7 iron for me) becomes harder.

Don't expect too much from ur game, it doesn't help your confidence and puts a whole lot of pressure on it.

[upah]

Keep the pin in?

[mdbuschsr]

@ andef - I guess that should be the plan. I don't have any real expectations of hitting the green with anything above an 8 (my 130-140 club). As for chipping with longer clubs... I REALLY struggle with club head speed on them. If I use 8 or 9 iron to bump and run, I end up WAY past the hole or off the green. I know it's a shot that I need to have in the bag, but I just haven't worked it out yet.

@ upah - if I'm off the green, I ALWAYS leave in the pin!

[JWL1957]

@ andef - I guess that should be the plan. I don't have any real expectations of hitting the green with anything above an 8 (my 130-140 club). As for chipping with longer clubs... I REALLY struggle with club head speed on them. If I use 8 or 9 iron to bump and run, I end up WAY past the hole or off the green. I know it's a shot that I need to have in the bag, but I just haven't worked it out yet.

Up until about 4-5 years ago, I also primarily did all my chipping with a SW. Then I met a new friend who chipped with a variety of clubs and he was very accurate. Before most rounds, we would chip for quarters and he would almost always relieve me of my pocket change. I asked him over a couple of beers one day how he became so good at chipping and he told me about a old Ken Venturi article in one of the golf magazines where Venturi had his hands together

in a cast and was chipping using technique with a variety of clubs. I was at the chipping green for the next 3 evenings trying the technique out and I was pleasantly surprised how effective the Venturi system worked. Instead of being overly "handsy"..... I concentrated on firming up my hands a little . My accuracy and distance control with most any club was far better than using my SW on all my chips. I still use the system today. Here is the link... its not the full article, but close. http://www.kikogolf.com/wristexperts/ken_venturi.htm

[Ignorant]

Up until about 4-5 years ago, I also primarily did all my chipping with a SW. Then I met a new friend who chipped with a variety of clubs and he was very accurate. Before most rounds, we would chip for quarters and he would almost always relieve me of my pocket change. I asked him over a couple of beers one day how he became so good at chipping and he told me about a old Ken Venturi article in one of the golf magazines where Venturi had his hands together

That is pretty much the same idea that Phil Mickelson is teaching on his Short Game DVD. Phil calls it ‘Hinge & Hold’.

[hero12]

I only use my 60 if I have to, i.e. shortsided sand shots, flop shots, well mainly short sided shots. I use my 7 iron to 54 degree depending on my lie and the ammount of green I have. I never let the clubhead pass my hands on shot chips because there is no reason to. This lets you hit it crisp and never chunk or blade it.

[ks8829]

If you want consistency with chipping with any club there is a fool proof way to accompolish this, its all about your set up.

Once you set up with the right ball position its almost fool proof and you will hit all chips solid and only have to focus on distance control.

The position that will help your chipping is to place the ball behind your rear foot and have your hands forward. You can use your 60, 56 and 52 wedge with this position and you will be assure that you will make solid contact everytime will all your club chipping with the ball in this position.

practice the distance of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards so that when you are face with these distance you can duplicate the stroke and club that you practice with before and your up and down percentage should improve.

[mdbuschsr]

I played yesterday, and decided that I was going to hit every short iron in my bag around the green EXCEPT the 52*. If the 52* was the right club then, I hit it, but I also dropped several balls and hit other clubs just to see what they would do. I had some nice shots. so, I just need to get out and spend time on the chipping green.

In fact I had my first ever chip in yesterday. I duffed a sand shot about 3 feet and barely out of the bunker. Kept the SW in my hand stepped forward and chipped in for birdie. My first chip in ever!