Perfecting the Pitch and Run Or Bump and Run Golf Shot
One technique which you need to include in your short game arsenal is the 'pitch and run' or 'bump and run' which is designed to keep your ball low and run in onto the green in windy conditions.
As with all shots the first thing you need to do is to select the right club and most golfers will tell you that the ideal club for the 'pitch and run' is a 7 iron or, if you need a little less loft and more distance because you are still a long way from the green (say more than 150 feet), a 5 iron.
Now the choice of clubs is always something of a thorny subject so here is my advice.
Do not worry about what the experts say and, whatever shot you are trying to make, take the club which you are most comfortable with and in which you have the most confidence.
Practice with all of the clubs in your bag in a wide variety of different situations and then choose whichever club works best for you in each case.
Once you have chosen your club position yourself to take your shot just as you would for any normal pitch shot.
Remember that you want to address the ball so that your front foot is at a 45 degree angle to the target line and your shoulders and body are open and almost facing the target.
The ball should also be positioned in the middle of your stance.
When it comes to taking your swing imagine that you are looking at a large clock face straight in front of you.
Now the arc of your swing will depend upon the distance you want your ball to fly, remembering that you want your ball to land in front of the green so that it can then run up onto the putting surface.
To begin practicing this shot you should aim to take your club back to no farther than 4 o'clock on your imaginary clock face and then follow through to no more than 7 o'clock.
You can then adjust this arc to suit your own style of play and will find that the farther back you take the club the farther your ball will fly.
The secret however is to keep the arc as small as possible.
Two other things to remember.
First, you must ensure that the arc of your swing, on the back swing, down swing and follow through, remains on your target line throughout.
Second, your swing must be relaxed and fluid and you must not slow the club head as it strikes through the ball.
As with all golf shots the 'pitch and run' is something which you must practice over a range of distances and in differing wind conditions.
The secret however is to choose the right club for you, stick to the simple rules of the shot and, above all, relax, swing naturally and let your club do the work.
As with all shots the first thing you need to do is to select the right club and most golfers will tell you that the ideal club for the 'pitch and run' is a 7 iron or, if you need a little less loft and more distance because you are still a long way from the green (say more than 150 feet), a 5 iron.
Now the choice of clubs is always something of a thorny subject so here is my advice.
Do not worry about what the experts say and, whatever shot you are trying to make, take the club which you are most comfortable with and in which you have the most confidence.
Practice with all of the clubs in your bag in a wide variety of different situations and then choose whichever club works best for you in each case.
Once you have chosen your club position yourself to take your shot just as you would for any normal pitch shot.
Remember that you want to address the ball so that your front foot is at a 45 degree angle to the target line and your shoulders and body are open and almost facing the target.
The ball should also be positioned in the middle of your stance.
When it comes to taking your swing imagine that you are looking at a large clock face straight in front of you.
Now the arc of your swing will depend upon the distance you want your ball to fly, remembering that you want your ball to land in front of the green so that it can then run up onto the putting surface.
To begin practicing this shot you should aim to take your club back to no farther than 4 o'clock on your imaginary clock face and then follow through to no more than 7 o'clock.
You can then adjust this arc to suit your own style of play and will find that the farther back you take the club the farther your ball will fly.
The secret however is to keep the arc as small as possible.
Two other things to remember.
First, you must ensure that the arc of your swing, on the back swing, down swing and follow through, remains on your target line throughout.
Second, your swing must be relaxed and fluid and you must not slow the club head as it strikes through the ball.
As with all golf shots the 'pitch and run' is something which you must practice over a range of distances and in differing wind conditions.
The secret however is to choose the right club for you, stick to the simple rules of the shot and, above all, relax, swing naturally and let your club do the work.
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