The Bump and Run Shot

If you have a chip shot with no rough or hazards in your path consider the bump and run shot. The quicker the golf ball is rolling the more control you have with the outcome. This shot was 20 yards uphill to a back left flag.


Club of choice was the 8 iron.

Stance slightly open to target and half shoulder width apart. Club face square to target line.

Ball position middle of my stance.

Take a couple of practice swing to determine the length of back swing required to hit the shot considering roll out. I also look at the area where the golf ball is going to land as I view the shot becomes a putt when it starts rolling. You can make some of these if executed correctly and with a little luck.

If grip pressure stays the same length of back swing determines how far the golf ball will travel.

Weight to your left side at address (right for left handed players). Shaft leans towards target.

Brush the grass and please follow through keeping the club face square to your target line leading with the back of your left hand (right hand for left handed players.

This shot took forever to roll out.

For more information on this shot or any others contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Have a great time playing the worlds best game.

Curving a Golf Ball Around a Tree

If your stuck behind trees you have a couple of options. Hit it back in play and trust your wedge game and putting or the more adventurous shot, going around the trees and hitting the golf shot down the fairway or on the green. If you choose the second you can escape this way. This shot was 140 yards. My club of choice was a 9 iron as that is a good distance for me and if the golf ball lands short of the green it will release towards the green or near by leaving a short pitch or chip shot.

Grip the golf club as you normally would for any golf shot.

Ball position in the middle of my stance. If I wanted to hook the golf ball more I may move the golf ball back a little in my stance. Moving the golf ball back is easier to hit with a short iron if required. Also it's easier to apply curvature to a golf ball with a lofted golf club.

I choose a line I want the golf ball to start on and set the golf club on that line. My line was right of the trees in front of me and towards the trap front right of the green.

I set my body line closed to the golf ball starting line which is to the right as you will see in the video. The club face is now closed but pointed at the golf ball starting line.

From this point I swing along my body line and hit the golf shot.

The golf ball starts right of the trees and hooks back to the green. This shot I hit on the green and was putting for birdie.

This is a risk / reward shot so decide if you want to take the shot on. You also have to determine what you will gain or loose from playing the shot. The next time your playing a few holes try this a few times before attempting the shot in a game. If you have any questions or require help with this shot or your game email Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com

Enjoy the greatest game we play.

The Cut Pitch

This is a very useful shot if your short sided with very little green to work with out of green side rough.
 I shot video in real time and you will notice the golf ball spin slightly to the right when it hits the green.

Club of choice is your most lofted. Mine being a 60 degree wedge.

I grip down for more control and feel during the pitch shot.

I play the golf ball towards the front of my stance and I'm open to the target.

My wedge is open at address aiming down the target line.

I pick a spot where I want the golf ball to land on the green taking a few practice swings to measure back swing length required to hit the pitch shot. If grip pressure stays the same, length of back swing determines how far the shot will travel.

I take the golf club away slightly outside and swing inside cutting across the golf ball at impact.

I have the feeling the club face is sliding under the golf ball.

The shot is vertical quickly and lands soft when it hits the green.

Occasionally you can make a few of these which like all short game shots help your score at the end of the day. Very few golfers practice the short game but if you look at the players that win golf tournaments on tour, they all have an above average short game. The percentage of practice for the average player should be 70% short game and 30% long game. If you have any questions about this great game or you require help with this shot or any others please contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Have a great week.

Hitting From an Uphill Lie

Occasionally  during a round of golf you have to hit a shot from an uphill lie. Here's an easy way to hit the shot. This golf shot was 135 yards and I required a 9 iron.

I choose one more club than I would normally hit for the yardage in calm conditions.
Shots from an uphill lie will also fly higher.

I play the golf shot further forward in my stance.

I align my shoulders on a similar angle to that of the slope.

I want to be comfortable at set up with more weight on my right side at address
(left side for left handed players).

I align slightly right of target as most of these shots will be hit will a slight pull.

Complete your back swing so the club will shallow on the downswing.

Reaching impact I concentrate on swinging the golf club up the slope and balancing as best I can.

Core strength is important hitting this golf shot. Good tempo is always a plus and helpful. If you need assistance with this shot or your game contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
I'll show you how much fun the game will become.