Types of Golf Shots Around the Green

In golf, the area that houses the hole is known as the green or putting surface. Shots around this area must be delicate and precise as the target is much smaller than simply aiming for a fairway or the green itself. You must take several factors into account when considering the type of shot you want to use, in order to determine which shot is ideal for each situation. Take time to practice these shots on a practice green before you play the course.

  1. Basic Chip

    • A chip shot is an abbreviated swing with a highly lofted club, usually a sand wedge or lob wedge. Situate your feet so that the ball is slightly closer to your back foot than your front one. This stance will help pop the ball into the air and give it enough spin to only roll out the appropriate length once it has landed. The ideal chip shot should be airborne for half the distance to the hole, then roll the other half. The more lofted the club you use, the more roll it will achieve.

    Bump-and-Run

    • A bump-and-run shot is a short and low, sweeping shot with a mid-lofted iron or wood. When using an iron, these shots should only be airborne for 1/4 to 1/3 of the way to the hole and then roll the rest. But if you choose to use a 3- or 5-wood, the ball should never really become airborne. Instead, it should glide over the surface for a few feet before going into a dead roll. Bump-and-runs with a wood are the closest you can get to actually putting.

    Putting

    • There is no rule in golf that states you can only use your putter on the putting surface. If your ball is close enough to the green that you are confident it will roll true once struck, consider using your putter. Any ball struck with a putter will, however, be at the total mercy of surface it occupies, so be absolutely sure the grass is short enough to allow the ball roll. If the grass is too thick, it will be almost impossible to strike with any confidence.

    Flop Shot

    • The flop shot is by far the most effective chip shot, but also the hardest one to perfect and the one with the worst outcome if not struck correctly. To achieve a flop shot, take your most lofted club, usually a lob wedge, and situate your feet so that the ball is as far forward in your stance as possible. This will open the face completely so that it is practically flat on the ground. Use a 1/2 to 2/3 swing and all force will be used to elevate the ball rather than progress it significantly. The ball will fly high and spin hard, stopping almost as soon as it lands.