Lower trajectory short approaches

alxmorgan

Hey all,

My pitching is generally with a sand wedge or lob wedge and come in very high.
I have been playing around with a kind of long chip onto the green from around 70 yards out using an 8 iron/6 iron depending on how far the flag is from the front.

My question is - how many of you guys opt to knock in lower shots when closer to the green (when its an option) and any tips on technique here ?

Also is it true that a lower approach gives more chance of stopping the ball on the green quicker ?

thanks

BoardsMember

I'm probably going to get this all wrong, but here's my opinion:

In general, the cleaner/better and firmer you hit the ball the more spin you get on it. So if you're 70 yards out, if you hit a 7 iron crisply/cleanly you might get a bit of check, but not a lot, as you wont be hitting it too firmly.

If you choose a more lofted club, a sand wedge or lob wedge, hands forward to de-loft & come in steeply, and hit it harder, you will get a lot more action on the ball.

I think something that better players do is not hit the ball quite as low, or as one prefessional once said, hit it half a dimple higher in the ball.

I could be completely wrong of course.....

J6P

VikingG

Actually this is something I have been thinking about... been playing now about 9 months and am pretty much a bogey golfer.. so regularly find my self 10 to 30 yards off the green... so I have always used my lob wedge to try to get close to flag...
However having seen some playing partners use anything from 6 iron to 8 iron to do a bump and run starting to think that this may be a better % play...

SuprSi

ShreikingSheet would be able to give some excellent instructions on how to hit a low wedge into the green, getting loads of stop. He plays this shot that actually looks as if he bladed it, only for it to take about 3 bounces on the green and stop dead or roll back a little. Really great shot to have.

heavyballs

VikingG wrote: »

Actually this is something I have been thinking about... been playing now about 9 months and am pretty much a bogey golfer.. so regularly find my self 10 to 30 yards off the green... so I have always used my lob wedge to try to get close to flag...
However having seen some playing partners use anything from 6 iron to 8 iron to do a bump and run starting to think that this may be a better % play...

wouldn't recommend using a lw unless you really nead it
also i'd stay away from anything less than an 8i.
i use a gap wedge and loft/deloft accordingly,keep your hands in front leading the club into the ball,strike down on the ball and abbreviate the follow through,works(nearly) every time

THEIRISHMOB

VikingG wrote: »

Actually this is something I have been thinking about... been playing now about 9 months and am pretty much a bogey golfer.. so regularly find my self 10 to 30 yards off the green... so I have always used my lob wedge to try to get close to flag...
However having seen some playing partners use anything from 6 iron to 8 iron to do a bump and run starting to think that this may be a better % play...

You are much less likely to slice a 6-7-8 iron on approch than a wedge.
You can keep the approch strighter but you have to reply more on luck with bounce as it will bounce more times that a high wedge.
I much perfer irons for bump and run shots as I find I will make more serious mistakes with lob wedges. In saying that..if you have a bunker in front of you, you have no choice.

Practice both and see which feels more natural to you and which gets the best results. Being comfortable is a big part of golf.

alxmorgan

heavyballs wrote: »

wouldn't recommend using a lw unless you really nead it
also i'd stay away from anything less than an 8i.
i use a gap wedge and loft/deloft accordingly,keep your hands in front leading the club into the ball,strike down on the ball and abbreviate the follow through,works(nearly) every time

How abbreviated is the follow through ?
And when you hit it right what does the shot look like - I mean in terms of height and what it does when ball hits the green ?

thanks

PS - anyone want to agree/disagree with this approach to it ?
http://www.golf.com/golf/video/article/0,28224,1991930,00.html

davgtrek

The only place for a lob wedge is either out of a bunker or where you need a very high lob onto green over a bunker etc. otherwise i'd forget using it unless ur a low hcap golfer.
A gap wedge is a great weapon for everything from 40-50 yards in.

I play links and bump and run is the way to go. Its also often windy/gusty and you dont big high shots being blown all over the place.

I have tried that 8 iron punch shot from 50-60 yards a good bit with mixed reaults. It needs plenty of practice and you definitely need to hit it with confidence. If any doubt or fall off in club head speed happens its a duffed shot.

I have seen a lot of lads ( usually young lads ) mad for big lob wedge chips into the clouds from off the green. Its pure madness. They cop on after a few years !!

heavyballs

alxmorgan wrote: »

How abbreviated is the follow through ?
And when you hit it right what does the shot look like - I mean in terms of height and what it does when ball hits the green ?

thanks

PS - anyone want to agree/disagree with this approach to it ?
http://www.golf.com/golf/video/article/0,28224,1991930,00.html

well it's not something that i am very aware of when i'm playing as it's such a natural shot to me,i suppose the club would be close to parellel to the ground as i hold the follow through
i don't get mad check on the ball myself so i get a few bounces and a bit of stop
from around the green i also play a gap but don't hit down on the ball as much,use it as a means of getting over a bit of fringe etc and from there it rolls out as a put
looking for that bite after a few bounces doesn't always happen so my motto from close is get it down on the deck asap

WHIP IT!

Personally, when around the green with plenty of green to work with - you can't beat an 8-iron or a gripped-down Rescue Club. The RC is great for a long chip with some fairway/fringe to come over. Get it down and rolling like a long putt.

soundsham

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Personally, when around the green with plenty of green to work with - you can't beat an 8-iron or a gripped-down Rescue Club. The RC is great for a long chip with some fairway/fringe to come over. Get it down and rolling like a long putt.

+1
on this is doesnt have to look pretty all the time

The only type of low shots I hit are 3/4 shots
Eg 8i normally 140
3/4 8i low and 100

alxmorgan

soundsham wrote: »

+1
on this is doesnt have to look pretty all the time

The only type of low shots I hit are 3/4 shots
Eg 8i normally 140
3/4 8i low and 100

Just out of interest what is 3/4 ?
I mean is it right arm parallel to the ground, full wrist hinge or how would you define it ?

heavyballs wrote:

strike down on the ball

My issue with hitting down on the ball is that I always feel like I'm chopping into the ground and I can't translate this properly into a swing that is steep but towards the target. Anyone got any tips on better ways to hit down ?

PhilipMarlowe

I'm not one for technical thoughts and prefer not to think about technique much...
But I got a pointer about the 50 yard pitch shot before that is pretty good.
Using a gap (52) degree wedge, ball back in the stance a little and weight favouring the front.
Feel like your right (for right handers) elbow is almost resting on an imaginary shelf which is your hip.... you want your wrists to break... this combination of your elbow tucked in close to your body (and the wrists breaking) produces a steeper swing that is what you need. The check spin comes from compressing the ball into the turf (with a clean strike).

It is very important to have your focus on the target (flag) with this shot... you are delivering your clubhead out to the target, not concerned with the ball. This target focus helps you to accelerate the clubhead.

It's the kind of shot I enjoy practising (rare occurrence) because it's beautiful when you have it in your bag... one decent hop forward and then a second little one and then on with the brakes.

PhilipMarlowe

alxmorgan wrote: »

Just out of interest what is 3/4 ?
I mean is it right arm parallel to the ground, full wrist hinge or how would you define it ?



My issue with hitting down on the ball is that I always feel like I'm chopping into the ground and I can't translate this properly into a swing that is steep but towards the target. Anyone got any tips on better ways to hit down ?

If your focus is on hitting down that could cause trouble alright...
Try and nail the technique that produces that result but have your focus on getting the club out towards the target