Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
I am sure that many readers will have watched the play from the Open Championship in Muirfield Scotland at the weekend. One shot which is being used a lot is the ‘bump and run’ style of chipping.
This shot is often used on links-style courses where the greens are firm, fairways tight and the wind is blowing – much like the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain!
* Firstly, you need to choose the correct club for the shot.These shots can be hit from about 100 yards out and inwards, so clubbing correctly is important. When you are nearer to the green, you generally want to choose a club which will allow you to land the ball on the putting surface, where it is easiest to predict how the ball will run out. Here an 8 or 9 iron may be ideal, but depending on the lie and your touch, anything up to a fairway wood can be used. Justin Rose gave a perfect example of this when he used a fairway wood to cozy the ball stiff on the 72nd hole to win the US Open this year. You need to choose a club you can hit gently and still have adequate distance. This is because if you have to hit the ball harder, it may check up with backspin upon landing and end up short. Remember – choose a club which will allow you to comfortably reach your target.
* Once you have chosen the club, you need to work on the correct set up. Position the ball in the middle of you stance and open up you stance slightly – you should feel like you are looking towards your target. You should stand slightly closer to the ball and ensure your shoulders are square to your target line with your weight on the front (target side) foot. Your hands should be ahead of the ball at address and remain so throughout impact.
* The swing. For this shot you will want to keep your wrists as quiet as possible and the swinging motion should resemble that of a long putt. It is imperative that your weight is on the front foot about 65 per cent and that it remains there throughout the swing. The ball will always roll more than it flies through the air and judging this will come with practice. You should look for a smooth swinging motion and, to vary distance, use a different club or take a longer backswing – ensuring you keep the through swing nice and smooth!
The beauty of this shot type is that the mishit shots are always much better than the standard pitching-style mishits.
You are bound to save a few shots per round by adding this shot to your repertoire and with practice, it will become an invaluable asset to your game.
You will get down in two more often around the green and your poor strikes will still give you a chance of saving par with a long putt. Duffed and thinned chips will become a thing of the past!
