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Golf Tips: Understanding your Surroundings When Chipping

By Christopher O'Day

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 26: Ryan Palmer watches his ball after chipping on the South Course during the third round of the the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 26, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 26: Ryan Palmer watches his ball after chipping on the South Course during the third round of the the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 26, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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LAKEWOOD RANCH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Maverick McNealy chips onto the green on the 14th hole during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club on February 16, 2019 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Maverick McNealy chips onto the green on the 14th hole during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club on February 16, 2019 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) /

Most golfers are familiar with the bump and run, or have at least heard of it. Being familiar or having heard of something are much different than being able to implement it into your game.

Like when you are underneath a tree, a bump and run can be useful when you are on the edge of the green as well. There are two scenarios that pop to mind, in which it can be very helpful, and help to get rid of the dreaded chunk or blade.

When you are sitting above the green without much rough or fringe in front of you, it can be hard to hit a wedge and get the ball to stop in time. The short distance that the ball needs to travel lends to a swing that has a small margin for error. This leads to a lot of golfers not hitting confidently, and slowing down their swing. When you do this, it makes for chunks and blades.

To avoid this happening, you can take out an 8-iron. Take a putting stroke with your iron, which should pop the ball up just enough to get it onto the green, or into the fringe. The lack of power behind your swing will prevent it from rolling to far. When you are above the green, this is a good tool to have.

The other case is very similar. If you have a very short chip, and are barely off the green, just into the fringe or rough, it can be tough to hit a wedge. Take the same approach, hitting an iron (6-7-8), with a swing similar to when you’re putting. With some practice, you will find these chips rolling very close, with very few bad shots.

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