Use a putter to bump and run
Cal on October 21st, 2006
If you are faced with a shot up to 30 metres off the green and there are no obstacles or hazards in your way, try using the putter to bump and run the ball.
Put the ball forward a bit in your stance, stand a bit more upright and make a strong sweeping stroke that sends the ball bouncing and then rolling onto the green.
This will be a great shot this summer when the fairways and fringes will be thin and dry.
I’ve always found it easier to chip or pitch from the fringe and try to get the ball to stop close to the hole.
Much easier than guessing how hard to hit the putter to get through the fringe and then stop on the green.
In order of preference: If you can putt - putt, if you can chip - chip, failing that - pitch.
You have more control over a ball the longer it is on the ground, so even using a putter from 25 or 30 yards off the green is preferable to chipping. YMMV.
We are talking about putting from the fairway right in front of the green?… not long fringe around the back… ?
Hi Tobias - that’s right, from the fairway in front of the green.
It takes a while to judge how hard to hit the ball, but I’ve found it to be more consistent for me rather than trying to chip, where I usually blade the ball!