The Great Debate. Lob or Run?

[caniac6]

Chip and run is always my first option.

[shanksalot]

Most of the time I would take an 8 or 9 iron and run it up to the pin. Unless there was a trap in my way I would never lob it up to the pin.

[ghalfaire]

Assuming the line was clear and I'm on short grass, I'd take my 4 hybrid and putt with it. I I'm in the rough and the line isn't clear I'd take an 8 or 9 iron and chip it,

[Fourputt]

My plan would be to just pitch it to the edge of the green with my 51° GW and let the ball run out to the hole.  

[WUTiger]

If smooth, firm turf I would go with 7i chip and run.

If fronting rough or bumpy terrain, I'd take a PW, pitch it just onto the green and let it release toward cup.

For a lob I like a little grass cushion; and it's not my first choice as a shot.

[Aguirre]

If I can putt it, I putt it. If I can't putt it, I chip it (bump and run). If I can't chip it, I pitch it. Get it on the green and get it rolling as quickly as possible.

Edited February 2, 2018 by Aguirre

[boogielicious]

Others have said it, but it depends on the lie, the terrain between the ball and pin and the pin position. Putt-PIP-Chip-Pitch.

[Moxley]

Many circumstances (hazards to carry, fast sloping greens, uneven ground on run-up etc ) will dictate that a lob shot is necessary. When that is the case , I'm confident enough with my wedges to try and execute ,especially from that range. 

However, when it is not necessary to play a lob, I generally use as little loft as necessary to run the ball up , as it is more predictable. That said, If the choice is very marginal between a 8/9i (more run) or a PW (less run), then I might sometimes go PW as i'm more comfortable with that club. 

[Foot Wedge]

A diagram would have made this more interesting.  If there's nothing to carry, no ridges that the ball may die on, etc, then there's no need to make the shot sexy.  Chip and run all day. Everyone has their chipping club that they're comfortable with, mine for this would be a delofted PW and let it run up to the hole.

[Marty2019]

There's "the correct answer" and then there's "what I would do." 

I know the correct answer is to get the ball on the green running as soon as possible.  That would mean an 8 or 9 iron, chipping or pitching it to the edge of the green and letting it run from there. 

What would I do?  I would probably take a pitching wedge and pitch it half way to the hole and hope I don't have too much back spin.  Kind of a pitch-and-hope play.  I usually leave it way short. 

I have a friend who uses his putter from as much as 50 feet off the green, and he is amazingly  accurate that way.  But he's the worst chipper I've ever seen.  Several times, I've seen him double-hit the ball.  The ball's in the air, and he somehow manages to hit it again.   It's pretty funny when he does that. 

[b101]

Default rule of thumb is if it's an approach from 50 or more, use whatever club allows me a controlled 3/4 swing. Around the green, I used to play it as high as I could and throw it to the hole all the time, but I've now gone to a default shot of a PW that pitches 1/3 of the way, then rolls out. Much more consistent once you start feeling comfortable with it and I just love playing the shot.

[deadon500]

 (95%) of the time 7-8-9 iron and roll it as much as I can.

[MuniGrit]

I always hear the advice to get the ball on the ground as quick as you can. I have tried that for years and I haven't had that much luck with it. I'd use my 54 and pitch it. As others said I only LOB AKA FLOP when I have to do it with no other choice.

[iacas]

PGA Tour pros, absent a big tier, a ridge, or something along those lines… tend to land the ball 1/4 to 1/3 of the way onto the green, regardless of the length of the shot. They do it almost subconsciously, because most aren't aware that they're picking a spot in that pretty narrow window.

[SG11118]

I'm almost always my 56 wedge around the green.  I suppose I'm picking a spot 1/2 on the green or so and rolling the ball the rest of the way to the hole.  If I'm in tricky rough or need to lob it, I go to my 60, but probably only averages 1-2 times per round.  It would have to be a very unique situation for me to use a club other than my 56 or 60.

[p1n9183]

Depend on the slopes between the hole and the ball.
If there are no slopes, just hit a 9..P and make ir run.
If there are it depend..
 

[The Recreational Golfer]

I will always roll the ball to the hole unless I'm short-sided or I don't want to navigate intervening green countours.

[fishgolf]

Situational for me as I use and like playing both shots.  For the shot you describe, I would use my 7 iron... and tend to opt for that shot whenever I can.  I started doing this years ago when I was struggling with PW distance and playing with a friend who was lights out using a 7 iron.  It just seemed simpler, so I began practicing then playing that shot.  What I like about the roll out is that the chances of going in the hole increases as my lob shots hardly ever roll forward.