Instruction
Mastering The Short Game:
The Bump & Run
This year in Flagstick we’re going to focus on your short game. A better short game is your best, easiest way
to shoot lower scores. Why? Because to be a better short game player you don’t need some of the elements
you need to be a better ball striker. Quality short game shots require touch and feel but they do not require the
high speed eye-hand co-ordination, strength, flexibility, or range of motion that are needed to be a great ball
striker. Also, short game shots are more critical than long game shots because you have less time to recover
from them. A poor putt leads to an extra stroke, a poor iron into the green can be recovered from with a good
short game.
This month in Flagstick we’re going to talk about the bump and run shot…
When it comes to hitting shots around the green I use a football analogy with my students. In football you need
a great ground game to succeed. Passing the ball is exciting for the fans and can help you win games but the
game is won on the ground. Your short game is a lot like that. Phil Mickelson type flop shots are really exciting
and lots of fun to hit but they come with a high degree of risk and require a lot of practice and talent. When it
comes to your golf game, just like with football, you win with a great ground game.
One of my golden rules when it comes to your short game is to keep the ball close to the turf. Of course, you
will need to hit all kinds of lofted shots in the course of a golf season but the more often you can minimize your
airtime, the better for your consistency and your scorecard. I really like to hit little bump and run shots into the
green when possible. A bump and run shot is designed to be used when you’re outside of chipping range but
still want similar flight-to-role ratios. If you can land your golf ball just on the green (or even just short of the
green on a closely mown fairway) and allow it to run out to the hole like a putt you are statistically much more
likely to get up and down.
Kevin Haime
When you bump and run your ball, you avoid wind affecting the ball and you simplify your swing because a
CPGA Class “A” Professional
bump and run requires a lot less wrist hinge and timing than a lofted wedge swing does. Also, because the ball
Kevin Haime Golf Centre
is played a little more back in your stance you’re a lot more likely to contact the ball cleanly so you can be more
Kanata, Ontario
accurate with your shots. You can hit a bump and run shot with any lofted wedge or even with a 9, 8, or 7 iron.
2000 CPGA National
The more loft you use, the more height and spin you’ll put on the ball. With a lesson or two and a little practice
Teacher Of The Year
this shot can be really valuable and help you save a ton of shots.
Here’s how you hit the bump and run:
76 FGM MAY 2009
flagstick.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92