How to hit when ball is on the Hard Ground (No Grass)

[ravishekhar]

Dear Pro,
Pls. explain what irons/woods and kind of shot/Swing to be played when my golf ball is on the hard ground in the following situation:

1. When I am very far from the green : Do I need to select the Iron/wood based on the standard guideline : more to less distance. ( i.e. from 1 to 9 irons or 1 to 5 wood). Any thing specific you suggest related to swing.

2. When I am near to green : Is chipping or pitching is advisable. Most of the time I tried chipping what happen ball goes fast from one side of the green to the other side of the green.

Pls advise.

Thanks and regards,

Ravi Shekhar

Chennai, India

[greghutton]

Hard ground - Chipping - Long shots

Hi Ravi,

Not sure if I fully understand your question but I will give it my best shot.

When playing from a tight (hard ground - little grass) lie:

1. The further you are from the pin then the more club you will need, just as normal. The difference about playing from a tight lie is that the contact with the ball must be very precise. you must contact ball first otherwise if the clubhead hits the ground first it will most likely bounce and you will generally get a thinned (low) shot beacuse the clubhead hit halfway up the ball or above. I often find that a lot of people tend to try and help the ball into the air, which causes them to lift up just prior to impact. This is the worst possible thing to think. This shot must be played in a manner where you connect with the ball first then the ground.

2. Pitching is for approach shots to the green say from 20-120 yards. Chipping is specifically for shots around the green. It sounds to me like you are thinning (hitting the top of the ball) with your chips. This generally comes from a chipping action that is wristy (overactive wrist movement) which promotes a fast uncontrolled action. A good chipping action maintains very quiet, passive wrists. I have just recently put upa lesson on how to improve your chipping here, work through it and practice the tips.