Trevor Ng
The bump and run is a golf shot that can be used strategically in a number of situations. It is a stroke that golfers should master, as it can save strokes and shave strokes off your game. It is a reliable way of chipping the ball onto the green by 'bumping' it into the ground and letting it release towards the hole. It is most commonly played using a seven or eight iron, with a narrow stance and a stiff swing. The bump and run is often preferred by lower handicappers as it allows more room for error and is forgiving for golfers who fear using high-lofted wedges when chipping. It is also useful when playing in windy conditions or when there is an obstruction in the air, like a tree.
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What You'll Learn
When to use the bump and run shot
The bump and run shot is a smart and effective chip shot that is easy to master and gives you more room for error than other shots. It is a good option when you find your ball in a tight lie, relatively close to the green. A tight lie is when there is very little grass under your golf ball, such as an area that is burnt out or has hard dirt. It is also useful when you are around the green but facing an obstruction in the air, like a tree.
Another good time to use the bump and run shot is when it's windy. Wind can take a pitch shot off-line, so a bump and run can be a more reliable option. This is a common practice in European golf due to the course designs and weather conditions. You can also use the bump and run when you're on the fringe or fairway, near the green, but with a lot of greens to work with. This is when the pin is in a location where you don't need the ball to spin and stop quickly.
The bump and run is a useful shot to have in your arsenal when you have a long space to cover between you and the pin, with no need to lob it over anything. It is also a good option when you are anywhere from a few feet off the green to approximately 30-40 yards back.
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Club selection
When executing a bump-and-run, it is generally recommended to choose a club with less loft, such as a 7-iron or even a long-iron. These clubs allow the ball to travel farther and lower, which is ideal for this type of shot. Some golfers may opt for a 6-iron, 8-iron, or 9-iron, depending on their preferences and the specific situation.
It is important to avoid the common mistake of always grabbing a wedge when playing around the greens. While wedges can be useful in certain situations, they are not always the best choice for a bump-and-run shot. Wedges tend to loft the ball higher, which may not be necessary when there is no major trouble like sand or rough between you and the green.
The key principle to understand is that the amount of roll desired should dictate your club selection. If you want the ball to release and roll more when it hits the ground, choose a club with less loft. On the other hand, if you prefer the ball to come out higher with some backspin, opt for a club with more loft, such as a lob wedge.
Additionally, the distance you are from the green can also influence your club selection. The bump-and-run shot is typically played from a few feet off the green up to approximately 30-40 yards away. Adjusting the length of your backswing can also help control the distance of the shot.
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Stance and swing
Stance
When setting up for a bump and run, it is important to adopt a slightly narrower stance than usual. Position your feet closer together, with your feet just a few inches apart. Move closer to the ball, standing about six to ten inches away. This adjustment helps you get a more vertical shaft at address, allowing you to utilise the toe of the club for a smoother strike.
For right-handed golfers, position the ball slightly back in your stance, closer to the right foot. This helps promote a downward strike, compressing the ball against the turf. However, be careful not to position the ball too far back, as this can cause you to deloft the club and dig it into the ground, resulting in a shot with little to no height. Play the ball between the middle of your stance and your trail toe, or slightly back of centre for most shots.
When dealing with uneven terrain, adjust your stance and weight distribution to maintain balance and ensure consistent contact with the ball. Visualise the ball's trajectory and roll before executing the shot, as this can guide your swing and improve accuracy.
Swing
The motion of the swing for a bump and run is similar to a putting stroke. It is powered by a rocking of your shoulders, with your head remaining down. Focus on a shorter backswing and follow-through to ensure a more controlled and compact swing, minimising the height of the shot. Execute the shot with a steady, smooth, and aggressive tempo, maintaining a consistent rhythm throughout.
The size of your swing will influence the distance the ball travels. A smaller stroke reduces the room for error. Avoid common mistakes like overpowering the shot. Practice with different clubs and swings to understand how much swing is needed for various distances.
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How to hit the ball farther or keep it a short shot
To hit the ball farther when using the bump-and-run technique, you need to make adjustments to your setup and club selection.
Firstly, you should select a club with less loft, such as a 7-iron, 8-iron, or 9-iron. Some players even opt for a long-iron. This reduced loft will result in less spin and more roll, allowing the ball to travel a greater distance.
Secondly, adjust your stance by standing closer to the ball with a narrow, upright posture. This will help you make a smaller stroke, reducing the margin for error. Additionally, ensure that your feet are square, and the ball position is neutral in the centre of your stance.
To execute the shot, use a small swing powered by a rocking motion of your shoulders, keeping your head down. The loft of the club will do most of the work, propelling the ball with sufficient height and speed to clear longer grass and roll smoothly on a flatter surface.
If you wish to keep the ball flight shorter, you can make adjustments to your club selection and swing length. By choosing a club with a higher loft, you can increase the spin and reduce the roll, resulting in a shorter shot. Additionally, you can experiment with different swing lengths to control the distance the ball travels.
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When to bump and run instead of a chip shot
The bump and run is a basic chip shot that is very useful and effective. It is a smart shot to play in most cases. It is played with a narrow stance, similar to a putt, and is usually played with a seven or eight iron. It is a low shot with a lot of rollout, so it is best used when there are no obstacles in the path to the hole and when you have plenty of green to work with.
A bump and run is also a good option when you are close to the green but face an obstruction in the air, like a tree. It is also a good shot to use when it is windy, as wind can take a pitch shot off-line.
If you are worried about hitting your chip fat or thin with a wedge, or if there is a steep embankment before the green and you need to kill speed, a bump and run is a good alternative. This is because it gives you more room for error than other shots, like the flop.
The bump and run is a good shot to use if you want to get the ball on the green as soon as possible, rather than trying to air it next to the hole. It is a simple shot, but it requires practice to master the technique and the touch required to control the shot.
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Frequently asked questions
Bump and run is a reliable way of chipping the ball onto the green. It is often used when golfers find their ball in a tight lie, i.e., when there is very little grass under the golf ball. It is also used when there is an obstruction in the air, such as a tree, or when it is very windy.
To execute the bump and run shot, it is important to stay aggressive and not be afraid. The swing is more similar to a putt than any other golf swing, with elbows nearly locked and the wrists kept quiet. The movement should come from a pendulum-like rocking of the shoulders. To hit the ball farther, increase the backswing, and to keep it short, decrease the backswing.
There is no universally wrong answer to club selection for the bump and run shot. It is recommended to use a club with less loft, such as a 7-iron or a long-iron, to get the ball rolling. If you want the ball to come out higher with some backspin, choose a club with more loft.
