View Full Version : The "Bump 'n Run"
Tin Pot
30-10-2006, 10:05 AM
...as opposed to the aerial route.
I was forced to punch a few shots under low hanging branches yesterday and was surprised at how close to the front of the green I got on both occasions. I'm always hearing how useful and reliable this shot is, but as I haven't really practised it, I'm a bit afraid of using it. I like a high pitch with my 50* gap wedge.
Is it a shot that should be the 'default' or is it one that should be used only in certain conditions, e.g. level fairway, NOT muddy, NO bunker in the way?
Cheers all.
Steptoe
30-10-2006, 10:07 AM
its a great summer shot when the ground is firmer and you get a decent bit of run
Gogs Guy
30-10-2006, 10:09 AM
It's generally a lower risk shot than a high flying wedge so for that reason it should be the shot of choice if there isn't anything in the way (like a bunker).
Sam the Eagle
30-10-2006, 10:10 AM
Is it a shot that should be the 'default' or is it one that should be used only in certain conditions, e.g. a bunker in the way?
Best avoided if there's a bunker in the way IMHO, as it's too difficult to judge how to hit the ball hard enough to clear the hazard yet not so hard that the ball might run across the green
Tin Pot
30-10-2006, 10:12 AM
its a great summer shot when the ground is firmer and you get a decent bit of run
Yeah, I hear ya. I'm also worried about it getting 'swallowed' by the fairway before it gets to the green.
Longshot
30-10-2006, 10:13 AM
It's my 'go to' shot. Unless there's a hazard in the way, it's my first choice of approach. If it gets windy, I can bump and run a four iron in from 150+ :laugh:
Tin Pot
30-10-2006, 10:14 AM
Best avoided if there's a bunker in the way IMHO, as it's too difficult to judge how to hit the ball hard enough to clear the hazard yet not so hard that the ball might run across the green
SORRY GUYS! Too early for me obviously - I meant use a bump 'n run in every situation unless there's a bunker in the way.
I'll go back and edit that one!
Sam the Eagle
30-10-2006, 10:25 AM
Yeah, I hear ya. I'm also worried about it getting 'swallowed' by the fairway before it gets to the green.
SORRY GUYS! Too early for me obviously - I meant use a bump 'n run in every situation unless there's a bunker in the way.
I'll go back and edit that one!
Don't -it will get even more confusing! :rolleyes: Go get a coffee instead.
This is a great shot to have as a default. It's also one of my "go to" shots with anything from 4 iron to PW, depending on distance and the ground between me and the green. On that last point indeed you have to accept that sometimes it's too risky because the ground is bumpy or the grass is too long
Andrew Paxton
31-10-2006, 03:14 PM
...as opposed to the aerial route.
I was forced to punch a few shots under low hanging branches yesterday and was surprised at how close to the front of the green I got on both occasions. I'm always hearing how useful and reliable this shot is, but as I haven't really practised it, I'm a bit afraid of using it. I like a high pitch with my 50* gap wedge.
Is it a shot that should be the 'default' or is it one that should be used only in certain conditions, e.g. level fairway, NOT muddy, NO bunker in the way?
Cheers all.
We tend to have a lot of "fluffy" lies here, mainly from just off the fairways, where a lot of shots can end up on light gravel paths or even sandy lies.
Very risky to try and fly a ball of lies like that from close range, as the tendancy is to get under the ball, so the percentage shot is a punch with something like a 6 or 7 iron.
Very useful shot to have
Tp, The default shot is the one you get closer to the hole!
Me personally I prefer the bump and run from say 10-15 yards off the green, but the closer I get the higher lofted club I take, for example if I was a yard off the green I would use sand or lob wedge, for me it just enables me to be alot more aggressive around the green.
Try them both and see what works best for you.
MisterS3
31-10-2006, 04:00 PM
Tp, The default shot is the one you get closer to the hole!
I like that thought....its a good un! :)
Me personally I prefer the bump and run from say 10-15 yards off the green, but the closer I get the higher lofted club I take, for example if I was a yard off the green I would use sand or lob wedge, for me it just enables me to be alot more aggressive around the green.
Try them both and see what works best for you.
Not meaning to confuse matters.....but.....
I'm the opposite of peter...the closer i get (providing no hazards between me and hole) the less lofted the club.
eg 60 -20 yards lob wedge
20 yards and in depending on how much carry and how much run i want anything from 6-PW.
As peter says.....use whatever is comfortable for you and the shot your 'see' in your minds eye.
Woody
31-10-2006, 04:14 PM
No doubt that a lofted wedge and high shot is more fun, but more risky.
If I'm within 20 metres and there's nothing between me and the green, and I'm not in rough, then a 7/8/9 iron is the sure thing, played almost like a long putt. Just enough to get that first "bump" on or just before the green.
Tin Pot
31-10-2006, 08:07 PM
I tried practising it at the range today. It seems a 'quarter' swing with a seven flies it about 50 yards for me, but later it started flying all over the place, so it's not in my repertoire yet. Practise, practise, practise :)
Sam the Eagle
31-10-2006, 10:51 PM
I tried practising it at the range today. It seems a 'quarter' swing with a seven flies it about 50 yards for me, but later it started flying all over the place, so it's not in my repertoire yet. Practise, practise, practise :)
like Woody says in his post, you have to play it more like a long putt. It's all about control
Tin Pot
01-11-2006, 08:18 AM
Oh right, that's the way I play chips around the green - I'll try that, thanks.
Think about it this way - If you're in a position to throw the ball to the flag,(and no hazards en route) and you do it under arm, then that's a good position for the bump and run. If you need to throw it overarm, then go the arial route.
Not meaning to confuse matters.....but.....
I'm the opposite of peter...the closer i get (providing no hazards between me and hole) the less lofted the club.
eg 60 -20 yards lob wedge
20 yards and in depending on how much carry and how much run i want anything from 6-PW.
Misters3
Your way is the more percentage way to play the shot, probably the way we should all play the shot.
But I have always had a tendancy of deccerating on short shots so for me taking a more lofted club usually i can be as aggressive as I want.
MisterS3
01-11-2006, 10:28 AM
Misters3
Your way is the more percentage way to play the shot, probably the way we should all play the shot.
Woo hoo - i've learned something. :laugh:
Its 'boring' I'll admit, so when i'm playing by myself, i'll sometime hit two balls. The %age shot and then one with my 59, just to get it out of my system. No idea why i have to do this - but it soothes my soul :laugh:
But I have always had a tendancy of deccerating on short shots so for me taking a less lofted club usually i can be as aggressive as I want.
I'll take it you mean more lofted.....and i have that problem too, but only when i'm using my more loft club!! Hence using the 6iron on occasion and playing a putter type stroke!