Bump and run - how far to bump, how far to run

[lsh]

I know there will be a lot of variables depending on conditions, uphill, downhill, raised green, etc...

For this example lets just say you've got 40 yards to the flag, flat approach, somewhat firm, and flag is closer to the front.

Is there a formula? Say I choose the 8 iron do I fly it 1/2 way and roll it 1/2 way?

 

I have always tried to use a wedge & fly it as close as possible. I am looking for alternatives particularly when the flag is closer to the front.

 

Thanks

Steve

[Ballgofarboy]

It is a dicey go. Once the ball is on the ground, you have no control. We have a few holes here that are good for this type of shot, however the variables are what are at stake. And there really is no formula as you are starting to eek into the field of feel playing.

Kind of a long pitch shot on the green where you opt to get the ball on the ground as soon as possible. You have to see what is in front of you and judge the pace of the shot. If you are not certain of a wedge distance or wind is an issue, the bump and run is a good choice. I have never come up with a 1/2 to 1/2 ratio or hitting it 2/3 and rolling 1/3 as each shot is different.

[Guardian5]

Environment is the deciding factor every time.

[Jamboy72]

For me, my PW is about 25% carry, 75% roll...but people have different comfort levels playing different types of shots...I'd be shocked though if you could carry a 9 iron or PW 1/2 way and get it to stop soon enough....my 56* is more like my 50/50 club ...

[lsh]

Thanks, It sounds like experience & imagination in equal amounts is the formula.

[Fade to Black]

I'm same as Jamboy. On an even, clean lie I typically expect 1/3 carry and 2/3 roll with my PW which is my go-to iron. My 56* SW is roughly 1/2 carry 1/2 roll and my 60* is 2/3 carry and 1/3 roll.

These are rough guidelines for me, with course conditions coming into play.

[Soloman1]

For a normal and level green, here's a simple, effective rule-of-thumb with a pitch:

7-iron: fly it 1/4 of the way from the ball to hole
8-iron: 1/3
9-iron: 1/2
PW: 2/3
SW: 3/4

Adjust for slope, speed and if your wedges are strong or weak.

Try it and see.

[parmark]

Look up Brian Manzella's Rule of Twelve on you tube. Really works for me. All about getting ball on same spot on the green and formula for finding correct club. Takes all the guess work out of the carry side of things. Warning: it does involve math skills. But it sure has helped my game. Good luck

[lsh]

Thanks Soloman1 & Parmark

Soloman, I jotted down your suggestions and plan to use them as a starting point to practice this shot.

Parmark, I have seen someting similar to the rule of twelve that I used to use when I was close to the green & planned to land on the green & roll to the hole.

Steve

[sui generis]

Another complicating factor is the intervening terrain. Pelz advises a "chip to the dip" meaning if there is a significant low spot we might want to pick the swing that aims to land the ball at the bottom of the "dip" so that if we happen to hit the shot too softly it'll land on a downslope and run a little further, conversely a shot hit a little too hard will have some of the energy "killed" by the upslope.

[TheCityGame]

No matter what club you use, depending on your swing and lie, you can impart completely different spin and trajectory.

This question can really only be answered with "it depends". Go to a practice green and try using one club and landing it in different spots but running out to the same place. It will really help your feel for these shots.

I use my 54º and my 60º around the green, and both of them I can land anywhere from 1/3 of the way to the hole to 90% of the way to the hole (maybe with the 60º I need to hit it at least half way.).

[lsh]

Thanks again for the help. My initial question was for long bump & run scenarios where I would be running a significant way on the fairway before I reached the green.
Just looking for a place to start. I never really utilized this option vs: flying the ball all or most of the way to the flag and trying to hop & stop. My recent attempts at bump & run were generally way long making me wonder if there was a rule of thumb for fairway bump & runs.
I know nothing replaces practice & feel.

[Soloman1]

[quote name='lsh' timestamp='1376907056' post='7703576']
Thanks Soloman1 & Parmark

Soloman, I jotted down your suggestions and plan to use them as a starting point to practice this shot.

Parmark, I have seen someting similar to the rule of twelve that I used to use when I was close to the green & planned to land on the green & roll to the hole.

Steve
[/quote]

9-iron = 1/2 way is the easiest thing to remember, then go up or down from there. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[RecreationalHacker]

I've been working on my bump and run as it's something that is lacking in my game....among other things! I can say that getting a feel for the bump and run is challenging. It depends on so many factors that it really comes down to practicing this shot.....a lot...and developing a feel for it. I know many say that it's safer or easier, but I'm not seeing it...yet.

[dlam]

wanted to " bump" this back . no pun intented. practising my bump +run this week . for me notice LW was good for the bump shot or a run shot however for a bump and run, if the greens were soft there was tought to get it close to the hole I prefer a lower loft forsofter green that I can feel I can control the roll out more. used a square- neutral grip and despite delofting the LW, a lower loft wedge like 52 to 7 iron I felt more confident than LW.

[Shambles]

[quote name='dlam' timestamp='1380756138' post='7944537']
wanted to " bump" this back . no pun intented. practising my bump +run this week . for me notice LW was good for the bump shot or a run shot however for a bump and run, if the greens were soft there was tought to get it close to the hole I prefer a lower loft forsofter green that I can feel I can control the roll out more. used a square- neutral grip and despite delofting the LW, a lower loft wedge like 52 to 7 iron I felt more confident than LW.
[/quote]


Around the green, if the option to drop and stop the ball at the cup is chancy, I find it more often productive to look for the spot that will send the ball towards the hole and then look for the club that will send the ball to that spot most comfortably and still let the ball roll towards the hole and not too far past it. Experience counts much.


Shambles