lobbing vs chipping

[Yggdrasil]

Yeah, I know you're gonna say "never lob if you can chip" - but I love my 64 degree lob wedge (after reading Pelz), and it seems so much more accurate on distance -, which is the real issue, isn't it? I was watching some pros on TV last night, and on pro took out his lob wedge, about 5-6 meters and inches off the green. A little pop, the ball dies near the hole, and fell in, in this case, which is why I got to see it, I suppose.

So. I have to use my lob wedge anyway, so why not just use my 64 or 60 degree lob wedges exclusively around the green, and get better and better with it/them? (I don't to this now, by the way. I use my wedges and irons, based on distance to the hole. A "standard" PW gives me 10 meters on an average green, and I calculate club from distance/green speed/up-down, then just concentrate on line).

Am I nuts to consider going exclusively extra lob wedge?

Regard, Charles

[Yggdrasil]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

OK, I've thought about it again. He could obviously have putted, chipped, or lobbed. But maybe he had a downhill lie, and lobbed the 5-6 meters to stop the ball. I gotta admit it seems harder to sink a little lob than a putt. ?

[LowPost42]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

If it makes you feel any better, I carry a 64* that I use almost exclusively around the greens. I miss a lot of GIR left or right, so that 64 gives me a nice little 15 yd pitch when I need it.

[kiwi]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

Sorry but I'm a chipper. Reason a mis**** chip will nearly always get me closer to the hole than a mis**** lob.It's just an easier shot to execute well, and the roll helps you read the putt especially if you chip and run it past the hole.

[kiwi]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

Couldn't write miss hit as one word?

[Mr_Change]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

Kiwi, and I played a round together and he has a very good short game.

[Mr_Change]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

Kiwi, we should have another round again. I really enjoyed that last time.

[dannyra]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

A lot of your decision should be on the lie. Around here, there is a lot of hard pan just off from the green. those thin lies make it impossible to do much consistenlty with the lob.

[Yggdrasil]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

Thnx, Dannyra.

Of course I won't try to lob off hardpan, or grassless turf, or as we have a lot of here, flat matted grass. And I know I'm taking it to an extreme saying "exclusively". What I really mean is that I prefer a long chip to a long putt, because I have more control on distance. So I don't get the "always putt if you can" guys. But I also have better control on my distance with my lob wedge than chipping with, say, a 7-iron.

And using 3 shots is my gripe. I won't argue that it is easier to make a putt or chip than a lob, but I'm thinking I'll get down in 2 more often by lobbing close, than by chipping or putting (if I practice my lobbing more instead of chipping). I especially don't understand the guys putting from 20 feet off the green, on nice lies. That may have to do with the grass here i Norway, though.

My friend's son is a promising golfer who is afraid to chip or lob near the green. He plays to around 5 over, and alway tries to putt near the green. And always seems to take 3 shots, it seems to me....

Guess I'll at least practice with 5-6 meter lobs, and see how it goes. I'll at least get better lobbing, even if I decide not to lob instead of chip.

Regards

[indianagolf]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

I use my 60 degree about 70 yards in. I can lob with it or put a nice little runner that checks up. I keep a pw, 52, 56, and a 60. I prolly use the 60 more than any other club in my bag.
ed

[ph_kingston]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

My advice is simple, arm yourself with as many shots with as many clubs as possible when it comes to shots around the green. So don't limit yourself to the lob wedge and practice like crazy.

For example, most people automatically pull out the SW in they are in a greenside bunker whereas a LW or PW might be the better option. Just give them a try on the practice range and see which works for you.

[kiwi]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

Bruce

Check private messages.Will catch up soon.

Brian

[mcdizzle$$$]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

i agree with phkingston completely here. sure its fun to be great with a lob shot, theres no reason not to be! but theres also no reason you shouldnt be great with your chipping or bump and runs or pitch shots with any club. a great short game is all about playing the right thing at the right time and having a feel for every individual situation. what happens when you have a lie that you know you cant lob? you are suddenly nervous beacuse you dont practice that shot. chances are, your about to make a 3, 4, or a 5 from there when by practicing the shot you have a great chance to make two, and if not that, an easy 3

[indianagolf]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

agreed....I am working on a flop shot. Although I am getting better I would never use it on the course. I'd say by the end of summer I will have it down. Then I have all winter to forget about it!

ed

[gord962]

Re: lobbing vs chipping

The type of shot you play should depend on the situation. The hard part about hitting a lob is how the spin is going to react. Is it going to check? run a bit (3- 4 feet) go right? go left? A bump and run (if the lie and path allow it is always the safe shot. You should be aiming to fly the ball 25% of the distance to the hole and the rest of the distance should be the roll.

Hitting a lob shot from a flat lie with a lot of green to work with and no trouble isn't your safest shot. If it is, you are not practicing your other shots enough. Golf is a diverse game that requires frequent practice and a variety in shots. If you limit yourself to only a lob shot around the green, you are limiting your ability to improve.