chipping

A Wedge or a 5 Wood?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

I have asked this question for years; should I replace my 5 wood for a 60 degree wedge.  This is a tough question. I have researched this question and found no definite answer. So here is what I think:

The lower the handicap the more wedges you require.  Most 15-25 handicap players will lean towards the 5 wood.  I would support that decision because they are still trying to hit the green from a distance and the 5 wood is a very forgiving club.

If you are a lower handicap player, like me, you have already switched to a 60 degree wedge.  I found that I had to practice and learn how to use it properly (and I am still learning) but it has significantly increase my up and down ratio around the green.

So what do you think?  Do you use a 5 wood or a 60 degree wedge?

Chipping In – What a Way to Lower your Score!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

Chipping In

Chipping is a quick way to lower your score!  However this is always easier said than done.  Every time a player steps over the ball they expect the rarest of results – a chip in.  How does one achieve this elusive feat?

I have heard and read many ways to effectively get the ball in the hole.  Use your 60 degree wedge; no, no, use your sand wedge it allows for better roll; wait, I thought that the 52 degree wedge was best…..or was that my pitching wedge…..mmmmm

Ultimately, the best club to use best the one you are most comfortable with.  If you consistently chip the ball short, then use a lower lofted club with the same stroke.  If you are consistently long, use a higher lofted club.  It sounds really easy, but most amateur golfers consistently use the same club over and over expecting different results – now that is the definition of insanity!

I like to use my 7 iron if I have no hazards to play over.  I find it rolls best for my stroke and I can hold it with my putter grip.  It allows for the touch I need to chip the ball in.  Normally, I am no more that 5 yards off the green when using my 7 iron (see the picture.  The dew line shows the result of my shot of the day).  Next, I like to use my 52 degree when I require a bit more loft and of course my 60 degree to flop the ball.  The 60 degree flop shot is always my last option because to the difficulty judging the distance.

What club do you like to use around the green?

Well there you have it.  It was wonderful on the course today.  I chipped in on the 17th hole and was grateful for the time spent on the links!

Chip or Pitch

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

As I approach each green, I am always faced with the dilemma of putting (which of course is always my first choice), chipping or pitching the ball.  Of course the your choice of the next stroke will depend on many factors: your lie, the distance between the ball and the green, hazards between your ball and the hole….etc.

Ultimately, my preference is to pitch the ball.  I believe the best course of action is get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible.  The convention that I have read is use an 8 iron for the greatest percentage of success.

I on the other hand like to use a 7 iron.  The 7 iron pitches the ball lower, provides better feel and ensures that the ball rolls the greatest distance on the green.   I hold it like a putter, swing it like a putter, and strike the ball with the same strength as I would with a putter.  With practice it has helped shave 2 strokes of my score.

Off to the links tomorrow, I am a grateful golfer.