As we come toward the end of the year, I feel compelled to write
about an item that I seem to touch on quite often.
As we come toward the end of the year, I feel compelled to write about an item that I seem to touch on quite often. When I go out and play golf, it also seems to be the item that many players make mistakes on during their round.
What I’m talking about is club selection when chipping. Somewhere down the line, someone did a good job of brainwashing the newer players of today into the idea that when you are off the green a few yards, you automatically take out your sand wedge to chip the ball on to the green. I am not saying that you never use your sand wedge. However, you must use the sand wedge when it is appropriate.
So, when is that?
Use your sand wedge when you have a small area for the ball to land and stop.
Use your sand wedge when you are chipping to an elevated green or have a downhill chip shot.
Use your sand wedge when you have to carry the ball over a bunker and stop it relatively fast.
Don’t use your sand wedge when the pin is in the back and you have the entire green to work with.
Don’t use your sand wedge to chip up to a second tier pin placement on a split level green.
Don’t use your sand wedge on an uphill sloping green.
Remember, you have a full set of irons to use when you are a different distance from the green in the fairway. Use the same logic when it comes to chipping. Depending on the situation, most good players will chip with a 5-iron thru the lob wedge.
Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
