Chipping, pitching with a LW

[gmbtempe]

I never do this but during a crap round on Friday I started to hit all my short game shots with a 60* LW. I was surprised how well I did and what I liked was how aggressive I had to be with the short shot in terms of the arm swing and it forced me to make sure there was no leakage.

So yesterday I hit about 90 chips and pitches from various lies and distances to see how I would do. What I found is not that I would say I had more or less in the 3' circle with this method but I chipped in an astonishing 8 times. It seemed like my really good shots were much closer to going in compared to just a lag to 3' with say a Pw or 9i. Maybe higher risk/reward? Maybe a little more practice.

Never used that method before but there are some things I do like about it, much closer to what PM does with does with his short game shots. I read Annika went to this method as well after working with Tiger on here short game. I think the reason was the need to put spin on the ball on PGA tour greens and pins.

[Richie3Jack]

I used to use a LW in college for everything. Chips, bunker shots, flops, etc.

I think the reward is mostly in that you know what it's going to do if that is the club you use almost exclusively around the green. Lots of comfort level there.

I prefer now to get the ball on the green quicker because I think it's easier to control. Rule of 12 is a good example. If I only have 4 yards to where I want to land the ball with a 9-iron, I'll take that over having to land it 12 yards with a LW. Plus, with the LW and SW, you never quite know how it will spin.





3JACK

[rohlio]

I am of the opinion that if you play sporadically at best use one wedge for almost everything around the green ( I use my 52 for this). If you play frequently use a lot of different clubs.

[Richie3Jack]

Apr 11, 2011 10:10:13 GMT -5 rohlio said:

I am of the opinion that if you play sporadically at best use one wedge for almost everything around the green ( I use my 52 for this). If you play frequently use a lot of different clubs.

Makes sense. I play 2x a week, but practice almost every day. But I rarely practice chipping and occasionally I'll need to just so I can get back to being a decent chipper.




3JACK

[carsb]

Hey Richie,

Does your stronger grip affect your chipping and pitching technique?

For me my full swing irons are pure since moving to the stronger grip, but my pitching and even chipping is totally out of what

[gmbtempe]

Went back and practiced this for another hour, very excited to try it again on the course as I just had a lot of control of the golf ball.

[ioz]

I also use just a LW mostly for these shots a 60 degree bent to 58 with little bounce and a c grind. I do use a heavy old wilson R20 with more bounce in bunkers to explode the ball out but prefer to chip out of bunkers with the LW if the lie permits.

[Richie3Jack]

Apr 14, 2011 19:43:04 GMT -5 carsb said:

Hey Richie,

Does your stronger grip affect your chipping and pitching technique?

For me my full swing irons are pure since moving to the stronger grip, but my pitching and even chipping is totally out of what

I don't use a stronger grip when pitching and chipping.




3JACK