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Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

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  • Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

    I wonder how many of you chip with your sand wedge? Any reasons to do it and any reasons to avoid it ? I find it lands softer and settles down quick.

  • #2
    Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

    I use this rule:

    http://mysite.verizon.net/gregjwillis/LESSON5.htm
    Last edited by GregJWillis; 04-19-2009, 02:43 PM.

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    • #3
      Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

      Lots of questions about chipping lately, and again, I'll offer that I chip with almost every club.

      Gord will come later, and espouse the benefits of learning to chip with one club ( Sorry Gord, I couldn't resist.)

      It's gotta be personal preference. I agree that unless you get some time to practice, learn how to chip with a club like your PW. However, I spent most of my first year of golf chipping and pitching around my backyard. Thus, I have no fear picking a different club for chipping from different distances.

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      • #4
        Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

        I find it depends on how much I need to carry before I hit the green and then how much green I have to work with. If I have about 6 foot and not much green I will use a sw. but if I have tones of green I'll use a 7 iron. If I can I putt.

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        • #5
          Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

          I wouldnt normally use a SW if I was on the fringe or close to the green. It will really depends on how much roll I want after the ball lands on the green.

          Generally, if I was in the rough or the fairway where there is still a bit of distance to the pin, then I would use a SW since I want the ball to pop up faster and land softer.

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          • #6
            Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

            I don't think I have used a sandwedge for chipping. I think the best way to go is just experiment with different clubs. If you have a practice chipping green to go to, chip from the same distance with a variety of clubs and see what happens. At least you will see how the ball reacts to different lofts.

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            • #7
              Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

              Thanks for the replies....how about the lie? If its from the rough around the green(with 2/3 flight & 1/3 roll-scenario), is SW a good choice.

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              • #8
                Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

                I use a SW for all my chips, the only time I don't is if it's out of range for it. I prefer doing it this way as I get a good feel for the club and I can manipulate it for different ball flights with the same shot etc.

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                • #9
                  Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

                  First, to quickly answer your question, if you want 2/3 carry and 1/3 roll. Then SW definitely (any other clubs with less loft will just roll more).

                  Now, here are some notes on the physics of golf:

                  When the ball sits in the rough, your ball contact can never be as pure hence creating less backspin on the ball. Therefore, if your SW usually carries 2/3 and rolls 1/3, you can expect it to carry slight less but roll more.

                  As for recommendation:

                  Whether I would use a SW in this situation depends on how far the pin is and how much green I have to work with.

                  My advice here would be, get used to using a club that you are comfortable with. Choose a club that you are comfortable with the carry and roll. I have trained myself to use PW when I am on the fringe or around the green with good lies (when I know that I have around 1:1 carry to roll ratio). By being comfortable with one club first, you will be more familiar with how it will respond depending on the lie.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

                    There are certain times when you've got to clear a bunker for example and stop it without much role on the green. If the lie is a bit fluffy usually the sandwedge is a good choice but if you think there's a good chance you might get right under the ball and do an "air shot," it probably isn't the best club. I always try to avoid thrashing these shots but feel the shot is more of a drag than anything but it should never be a flick at the ball.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Do you chip with your sand wedge ?

                      Read Gregs lesson, would add that in general you want to keep the ball as low as possible when chipping. Hitting the ball high and landing it near the pin looks fancy, but is a very inconsistent method of chipping. Most good players that I have played with, including pros, use as long a club as possible, up to a 4 iron to chip around the green. Sand wedges are good if you are in deep fringe around the green and need to get through the grass. One chipping style that works well is to choke up on the club, toe the club slightly, and use a putting stroke. It may also be a matter of feel. If you were throwing the ball to the pin from the fringe, would you feel more comfortable lobbing it up in the air or rolling it towards the pin? In general, I think rolling it is more accurate. Less bounce, less scatter.

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