Chipping Options - What to do when you don't make it to the green!

By: Jenny Mitchell
Assistant Golf Professional
Chapel Hills Golf Club

Fact: Every golfer can improve one area of their game.
Fact: Chipping can make or break a round of golf.
Fact: Every golfer will miss a green during a round and your score depends on how you recover. There are certain situations where different types of shots will be effective.

What is your plan when you miss the green? Check out the plans below to learn more about your options when this happens, and what you can do to recover!

Bump & Run
This shot is used when you have plenty of green to work with. Use a lower lofted club, such as a 9-iron or a 7-iron. The key to this shot is to account for the roll. With a 9-iron, carry the ball about 1/3 of the way to the hole, the ball will roll the rest of the way. Depending on the distance to the hole, you can adjust how far to carry the ball. Using a 7-iron you want to carry it less than a 9-iron.

Flop (High-Lofted Shot)
This shot is used when you have to carry the ball over a bunker, or you are on the short-side of the green. Use a sand wedge or a lob wedge to execute this shot. First open your stance (left of your target) then open the face of the club and aim it just left of your target. Depending on the distance of your shot, vary the length of your swing. For shorter shots, take a shorter swing, and vice versa. One key element to executing this shot is to accelerate the club through the ball.

Takeaway: You should practice these shots at various distances and different lies. Try to simulate situations that you could be in during a round of golf - trust us, the next time you miss the green, you'll be glad you did!

Info on the Author:
Jenny began golfing when she was three years old. She competed in the Junior World Golf Championship in 1999 and 2000, and was a member of the 2000 Team Idaho for Junior America’s Cup. She attended Boise State University where she played on the women’s golf team from 2001-2005. In December 2005, Jenny received a Bachelors of Science degree from Boise State University in Exercise Science/ Fitness Evaluation. She is currently the Assistant Golf Professional at Chapel Hills Golf Course in Atlanta.