Cannot spin-and-stop on green

[very handicap]

I'm currently using a Cleveland CG14 56 degrees wedge for most of my chipping.

For some reason, i'm not able to get the ball to spin-stop on the green.  It usually roll about 8-10 ft before coming to a stop.   This is the case even when i use a Pro-V ball.

Do you think changing to a Vokey wedge will improve the situation?  Or i should invest in a lesson instead?

Thanks.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by very handicap

I'm currently using a Cleveland CG14 56 degrees wedge for most of my chipping.

For some reason, i'm not able to get the ball to spin-stop on the green.  It usually roll about 8-10 ft before coming to a stop.   This is the case even when i use a Pro-V ball.

Do you think changing to a Vokey wedge will improve the situation?  Or i should invest in a lesson instead?

Thanks.

Play for the roll and don't worry about it.  Stopping the ball dead on the green isn't a guaranteed road to great golf.  Knowing your game and playing appropriate shots to maximize your chances is what leads to better scoring.

When the ball rolls out it has a better chance of maybe hitting the hole and falling in.  If you play for the roll, you will still end up as close as you would be hitting a shot which checks, but the hole just might get in the way before it stops, something which almost never happens when a shot just checks as soon as it hits the green.

[very handicap]

Rick,

There are times when i have a very tight green and have to fly over a bunker to get to the green,  rather than doing a flop shot which i think is even more risky, i would prefer the ball checked as soon as it hits the green.  Many time i end up having a long putt coming back because i have to hit it hard enough to make sure it fly over the bunker.

[NI4NI]

The equipment in and of itself is not going to make it happen.  You need to hit down through the ball with enough speed for back-spin.  There are numerous threads in the forum - seek and ye shall find.

Lessons from a qualified and reputable PGA instructor are always a wise investment if you're serious about the game.

And, Rick's overall comment is worth keeping in mind; knowing what you need to know versus knowing your ability to execute it is not always aligned.

[TourSpoon]

It's not the wedge! Some of the best lessons I have ever taken is the short game shots. I believe that you should build your game from the green to the tee. Learning proper club to ball interaction is essential to the entire game. For more you should check out "The Impact Zone" by Clampett. It will change your game and break through a lot of the common misperceptions.

[Harmonious]

Bear in mind that on short shots around the green, you will not generate enough clubhead speed, and thus backspin, to effectively stop the ball on a dime, so to speak.  There will always be runout.  A higher shot will run out less, but it will still roll a ways.  Equipment or ball changes won't make any difference.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

Bear in mind that on short shots around the green, you will not generate enough clubhead speed, and thus backspin, to effectively stop the ball on a dime, so to speak.  There will always be runout.  A higher shot will run out less, but it will still roll a ways.  Equipment or ball changes won't make any difference.

Agreed.  8-10 feet of runout on a short pitch is really not that bad.  The important thing for him to remember is that when he short-sides himself, he's going to have to accept that he's made a mistake and the the best solution is to minimize the damage.   Too many bogey golfers try to get too cute with finesse shots like this and end up costing themselves strokes instead of saving them.

[Jmdmbike]

I play a Vokey and don't stop it, spin it, pull it back etc. It's a swing thing. Having said that, I play a Vokey because it feels good to me and it's a great wedge, but just changing your wedge won't make it happen. If you really want to be able to generate that type of action it's your swing that will make it happen. My son is 23 and he can stop it, spin it, zip it back, etc., - lets just say his swing and my swing aren't the same!! But usually he isn't any closer to the hole than his old man! Looks cool, but requires precision shots to make a difference. Go with whatever gets you closer to the hole!

[meenman]

Spin is overrated. I watched a guy the next hole over today hit pin high and roll 20 feet back off of the green. He was no better off than me when I landed a couple feet short of the green and rolled within 5 feet.

[Harmonious]

Unless, I'm misinterpreting the OP's wording and intent, he is asking about spin when chipping , not on full swings.

[ohiolefty]

I've always wondered why I cannot get unicorns to stop bothering me when I jog in the morning

[imtomtomim]

The shot you're trying to do doesn't exist.  Your perception of physics is skewed because of what you see on a 2D tv screen.  There are conditions where it is possible, and not.  Most likely, you're trying to spin and stop shots that physically are impossible.  Going over a bunker?  Most likely the green slopes away from the bunker.  You can't really expect to stop a shot dead on a down slope you're firing down do you?

[very handicap]

Thanks for all the good comments.   You are all correct that i should be realistic about my skill and play the game that suit my ability.    This post has serve it's purpose in that i do not end up wasting money buying a new wedge dreaming that it will do something that defy physics.

Just one last question.  So am i correct to say that if Phil Mickelson were using a vokey wedge versus a cleveland CG14, under the same condition, same spot, same lie, same ball.  Both ball will hit the green and check around the same distance?

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by very handicap

Thanks for all the good comments.   You are all correct that i should be realistic about my skill and play the game that suit my ability.    This post has serve it's purpose in that i do not end up wasting money buying a new wedge dreaming that it will do something that defy physics.

Just one last question.  So am i correct to say that if Phil Mickelson were using a vokey wedge versus a cleveland CG14, under the same condition, same spot, same lie, same ball.  Both ball will hit the green and check around the same distance?

Yep...and he uses the Cally wedge. It's the archer, not the arrow. I still think you should go for a short game lesson so you can learn to hit the best shot you can to control the spin and have a more reliable outcome.

[B-Con]

Thanks for all the good comments.   You are all correct that i should be realistic about my skill and play the game that suit my ability.    This post has serve it's purpose in that i do not end up wasting money buying a new wedge dreaming that it will do something that defy physics.

Just one last question.  So am i correct to say that if Phil Mickelson were using a vokey wedge versus a cleveland CG14, under the same condition, same spot, same lie, same ball.  Both ball will hit the green and check around the same distance?

Yes, the performance of the grooves is very, very similar. I think Vokeys had some performance advantage when the Spin Milled debuted several years ago, but raw performance in golf technology usually gets matched within a couple years by serious competitors. The different wedges have different feels to them, but the raw ability to impart backspin is basically going to be the same. And just to echo what others are saying, chipping usually refers to short shots with less than 10 (maybe 15) yards of carry. It's (basically) impossible to get those to check up. You shouldn't worry about checking the ball until you hit at least... what... 25 yards? When I hit my 56* wedge (a Vokey) solidly, I expect it to check with no roll out when I'm about 40 or so yards out, but I don't play premium balls. As long as you have an idea for what kind of roll out to expect and your roll out is not so much that it makes staying on the green hard, you're in pretty good shape.