A chip and a putt, a chip and a putt... It sounds so simple. How often does it really end up working out that way though?
So many strokes can be saved during a round of golf simply by learning to properly manage your strengths around the green. The average golfer will, per hole, generally have one tee shot, a couple fairway shots, and between two and five cumulative shots into the green, and then hole. This number of shots can quickly add up though, over a round of golf, leaving the golfer two or three extra strokes over par every hole.
Every approach shot into a green is different, be it the lay of the ball, the type and length of grass, the lay of hole ahead, a tree in the way, or a steep approach, to even the playing conditions of the day. When setting up for your next approach shot there a few details to note before stepping up to the ball. Distances are an important element to look at; such as, how far it is to the hole, desired landing zones and any hazards or trouble that may come into play.
Then there are the extreme approach shots that every golfer encounters at least a few times throughout their amateur or professional career. Every golfer has either their own memories of one of these shots or remember seeing a tour player in such a situation where he or she has their shoes off and barefoot hit an approach shot out of a creek. Several different methods exist that can be applied to any shot that may be encountered around the green during your round of golf.
The Chip Shot
The most common of these methods to be pulled out of the bag, so to speak, when playing around the green is the chip shot, pitch shot and lob shot. These three types of golf shots are generally hit with a high lofted wedge like a Sand Wedge, Pitching Wedge, Gap/Lob Wedge or 9 Iron and are normally hit with only a partial swing, gauged for the required distance of that particular shot.
The Flop Shot
After some practice, a golfer can also find trick shots like the Flop shot, to be very useful in launching the ball high into the air and landing a short distance away. As it is a very tricky shot, the Flop Shot is best mastered on the range before trying it on the golf course and around people that could be hit with a stray ball.
Bump and Run
The much safer choice that the Flop Shot, when encountering obstacles like trees and tight lies is the Bump and Run. In this shot, it is best to use a mid to high Iron, with a short swing, to pitch the ball below whatever is in your way. The Bump and Run is most popular for the control the shot allows the golfer to keep over the ball as it leaves much less room for error than trick shots like the Flop Shot.
A Putter?
Another trick that is seldom used properly and often forgotten about is using your putter for approach shots. When close to the green, with fairly level ground to work with, the putter can often be the perfect club to scoot your ball up to the hole. This method can sometimes be the most accurate of all.
As every approach shot in a game of golf is different, with the combined use of the methods mentioned, you should be able to properly choose the shots that play your individual strengths around the green.