The Great Debate. Lob or Run?

[wakefield724]

So you’re 50’ from the pin 15’ from the from. Greens are not too fast and fairly flat. Are you lobbing it or chip and running? 

[onthehunt526]

29 minutes ago, wakefield724 said:

So you’re 50’ from the pin 15’ from the from. Greens are not too fast and fairly flat. Are you lobbing it or chip and running? 

Depends on if I'm in the fairway or in the rough. 

50 feet to the hole with 12 yards of green to work with, sounds like a 9-iron chip and run to me... That far off the green I might take a 3 or 4 iron and use my putting stroke, or 3-wood or putter. With a shot like that I want it on the ground as soon as I possibly can get it there.

Greens are sloped one way or another mostly for drainage, so your fairly flat green is an okay preface.

[HJJ003]

What’s between me and the front of the green? That would dictate everything. If it’s rough or a bunker? Is it a very tight fairway that I could run it up with a bump and run type play? Too many questions to give a sure answer. Lob (more like pitch) if I need to and keep it low if I can. 

[saevel25]

First thing I ask is, can I put this?

Then I probably pick out my 52 or 56 degree wedge and pitch it (not lob it).

 

 

[DaveP043]

I "lob" it only when that's the only viable option.  As you say, the green isn't severely contoured and not too fast, I'd probably use something like a 9-iron or PW to carry it to the green and let it run from there.

[Vinny Cap]

Vague description, a pic or diagram and more info would help.

Sounds like it is a huge green.

If I am going over something, I would do a flop shot.

If it's all flat then a bump n run would be in order.

If it's pitched, I would chip it and hope for a check or a lil back spin.

Edited January 25, 2018 by Vinny Cap

[Mr. Desmond]

Assuming light rough or fairway, low pitch and run.

[klineka]

Like others have said it depends on what is between me and the green, but I would probably use my 60 degree and pitch it. 

In my mind a "lob" that close to the green is opening up the face, swinging hard, basically a flop shot.

I wouldnt do that, but I'd still probably use my 60 degree unless its very flat all the way to the edge of the green and im on a tightly mowed fairway, then I'd use a PW or GW and bump and run.

[Patch]

Assuming I can't putt,  have a good lie, and no problems between that lie, and the hole, I will most likely chip it on a flatter green. (per the OP's discription) I say most likely because that is the safer bet for most golfers. 

I think most amateurs practice chips more so, than lobs.

 Now here's the deal. I am a really good lobber of the ball. I love to hit lobs. I am kind of a natural with this shot. I have played whole rounds using only lobs.

Some days, lobs just work better. It's a toss up for me . 

[dbuck]

Depends on the lie.

If its really tight I might use an 8,9 or PW and try for mostly run. If its fairway but not too tight, maybe a pitch with a 52 for probably 60% air and 40% run out. If the lie permits or dictates, I would use my 56 and go for about 75-80% air- not a lob more of a pitch, hop, and a little roll out. The 56 is my default club these days, I hit that shot or some variation of it whenever I can; I love that club.

I work on lobs, flops, occasionally, but generally only use them as a last resort, other than a short lob over something

[Kalnoky]

Did you mean 50' from the pin, and 15' from the front of the green? If the green is elevated I will use a wedge, if the green is flat I will use a 9-iron. From the rough definitely using a wedge because the ball will release... From the fairway you can be more aggressive w/ the 9-iron as the ball will spin.

If by lob you mean pitch, I pitch at 40, 50, 60 yards. Anything close I chip. The flop I only use to get over bunkers and only with a nice fluffy lie.

[Piz]

I don't know.  I might putt, chip, pitch, or play it like a bunker shot...whatever seems, at the time, to offer the greatest chance of success.  I'd also take into account (assuming I didn't hole out) what kind of challenge I might be setting myself up for on the next one.  That being said; if the conditions permit (relatively flat and firm) I'd pitch with an open P wedge.  That's the shot that most closely mimics my imagination.

[billchao]

Neither, I'd pitch it. Though I'll echo what others have said: there's not enought information to know for certain the exact shot ill play.

[Groucho Valentine]

Kinda vague description, but run of the mill lie and no lake or something in front, Im pulling a 8i or 9i and Im running that shit. The sooner the ball is on the ground, the better. Especially on a flat green. No brainer, IMO. 

Edited January 25, 2018 by Groucho Valentine

[NJpatbee]

I would use a PW and carry about 60% and then roll towards the pin.  I have a 60* lob wedge in my basement which is still being punished since the late 90's. 

[The Hook Meister]

I would user a 7 iron and pitch and run.

[Patch]

I saw this earlier, and thought of this thread.

"A lob shot, (aka) a flop shot, is a pitch shot, where the ball takes a higher trajectory to the target". 

I think I now know, the true meaning of golf.    smh.......

Edited January 26, 2018 by Patch

[Papa Steve 55]

I tend to play in the air. I would pitch it if I have green to work with, lob it if I don't. No funny bounces a couple feet about the turf.