I think it is better to get the ball on the ground as soon as possible when you are around the green. My thought is based on the premise of putting. We roll the ball when we putt. Why? Because the ball can be controlled to a greater degree (through touch and feel) and it is more likely to fall into the hole when it is rolling than when it is bouncing (high shot). Prove it to yourself. Take five balls and putt from 30' or more from 5' off the green. Now take your favorite club from the same place and see the results. If you are better with the lofted club you are a rare bird and probably should use that club often. But if you are like most golfers you'll find that you were better and more consistent rolling the ball with the putter.
When I have short shots around the green I see two shots a high one and a low one. What will the low shot look like? What does the high one look like?
I'll try to go with what looks best to my eye at the time. The worst mistake you make is trying to play the "correct" shot but not having the confidence to play it. Go with what you see and you'll be pretty good. But practice the chips, the pitches, the bump and runs, the lobs, they are all important!
Pat
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"Practice mechanics into a feel, play a feel into computer dependability."
the real question is what is your technique? the answer should be, open stance, ball WELL FORWARD...off your Left toe, and slice the ball to the hole...Consider that for a while, better yet, try it.
Oh, that the clubs of choice are gap through 5i. You only need a SW if the ball is in mid- to deep rough and you need....speed. Sam set-up and ball position though.
300:
Are you left handed? How can a ball be positioned forward and be off your Right toe? Also, the lie dictates the ball position and the club to use, don't get caught into playing a textbook shot out of an untextbook lie.
Concerning spin, the less spin the better, as the ball and it's bounces are more predictable. Tom Watson had a great career on not spinning his pitches and chips. You need to know how to hit it high and with spin, just don't let that become your bread and butter shot...Your thoughts?
Pat
__________________
"Practice mechanics into a feel, play a feel into computer dependability."
300:
Are you left handed? How can a ball be positioned forward and be off your Right toe? Also, the lie dictates the ball position and the club to use, don't get caught into playing a textbook shot out of an untextbook lie.
Concerning spin, the less spin the better, as the ball and it's bounces are more predictable. Tom Watson had a great career on not spinning his pitches and chips. You need to know how to hit it high and with spin, just don't let that become your bread and butter shot...Your thoughts?
Pat
Thanks, I corrected my posting error, I meant Left toe.
My experience is, clean lie or in the rough, ball well forward, with a slicing action, yields best results. As my instructor says, "TRY IT FIRST", then conclude.
Out of the rough, SW or GW is needed since you have to generate speed to get it out and near the hole, where, speed with a 7 iron will blow it well past the hole.
Interesting topic. I have three clubs that i use around the green: a 54, 58, and 64. I try to hit them with the same motion and let the club do the work. For the sake of this discussion lets pretend we are on a level green that is raised up 4 feet. my standard club is the 58*. I try to use this most of the time because i can hit it within 10 feet of the pin and it will release close with a solidly struck shot. the 54* is used when lets say the pin is back and i mis-club and have to pitch from the front edge of the green. and finally the 64* is used when i short side myself and miss the green close the flag. i can hit the ball in the air and the ball releases a foot or 2. its a point and shoot club.
My struggles lately have been when im chipping across some break to a pin that is up on a shelf with a landing area the size of a rug. im hesitant to fly the ball close to the pin because if i come up short then i have a major uphill 20-30 foot putt and if i go long then im off the green and chipping back up. Now obviously i can chip left or right of the pin but when you chip it 15 feet to either side of the hole it defeats the purpose of leaving yourself a chance to make par.
I may not be imagining your scenario accurately, but I can share an approach that has been helpful to me when dealing with multiple tiers. I have found it helpful to pick a spot at the foot of the incline, seldom if ever pitching it into the bank. Essentially to get the ball rolling up the slope and guaranteeing a fairly predictable bounce. If the gradient is severe go to a lower hotter shot.
Hybrid Mode
