A bump and run is a type of short game shot in golf that keeps the ball low.
It is most commonly used when near the green.
A bump and run will significantly reduce the amount of spin on the ball and keep the ball low.
What Club Do You Hit A Bump And Run With?
Most players will use a mid to high-lofted iron such as a 7 or 8 iron.
These types of irons have just the right amount of loft to be able to get the ball airborne but also allow the ball to roll out a significant amount once it lands.
Bump and runs can be played with even lower lofted clubs such as a 3 iron or a hybrid, or higher lofted clubs such as a 9 iron or a pitching wedge.
How Do You Do A Bump And Run Shot?
- Select the correct club
- Narrow stance
- Place the ball slightly back in your stance
- Keep most of the weight on your front foot throughout the swing
- Use a smooth, putting-type motion- don’t let your wrists break!
When Should I Bump And Run In Golf?
- Around the green where you have a small amount of fringe/rough but a lot of green between you and the hole
- When there is a significant hazard behind the hole (takes the bladed chip out of play)
- In windy conditions (takes the wind out of play)
- On very fast, firm fairways and greens such as links-style courses
- From tight lies (also takes the bladed chip out of play)
- Trees in the way, and you need to keep the ball low
A bump a run is a staple of my game. I feel much more comfortable with a bump and run than I do a flop shot or a chip shot that has significantly more airtime than roll time.
Most amateurs, single-digit handicaps included, would likely save multiple strokes per round by using a bump and run technique vs. a flop shot for this reason:
Their worst bump and run will be significantly better than their worst flop shot.
Please, consider practicing and utilizing the bump and run.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen mid handicappers and up try to play a high chip from 5-15 yards off the green and chunk it or blade it.
What Is The Difference Between A Chip And A Bump And Run?
There is really no difference.
A bump and run is a type of chip shot.
Generally, a chip shot is any shot within 20 yards of the green that stays pretty low to the ground.
Chip shots have a low trajectory and will bounce and roll a much greater distance than they fly.
Conversely, a pitch shot is any shot from about 20-50 yards that has a higher trajectory than a chip shot.
Pitch shots have a medium to high trajectory and fly a much greater distance than they roll.
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