Losing Loft: Why Your 8-Iron is Your New Best Friend Around the Greens
Losing Loft: Why Your 8-Iron is Your New Best Friend Around the Greens
G'day golfers! I'm here to talk about a concept I push all the time, and that's losing the loft around the greens. Unless you absolutely need to fly something over an obstacle, you should get rid of the loft. Why? Because it's the simplest way to get the ball close and save yourself from those frustrating, round-wrecking mistakes.
When you're just off the green, your first instinct is probably to grab a sand wedge or a lob wedge. You think you need to get the ball up in the air and land it softly. But what happens with those clubs? You need to make a bigger, more aggressive swing to get the distance you need. And the bigger the swing, the more likely you are to make a mistake. One wrong move, and you catch it thin and send it flying way over the back of the green, or you get it fat and it barely moves at all.
This is exactly why I'm a big advocate for using a lower-lofted club like a 7, 8, or 9 iron for your chipping.
The Power of the Chip and Run
When you choose a club with less loft, you don't need to make as big a swing to hit it the same distance. This reduces the risk of bad contact and keeps your mistakes from being so drastic. The ball will fly a bit lower and run out more, which is much more predictable and easier to control.
With a bump-and-run shot, the difference between a great shot and a slightly-off shot is much smaller than it is with a sand wedge. You might not hit it perfectly, but it won't be a disaster.
The Go-To Technique
The technique is simple and direct. It's the same kind of chipping motion I teach with a sand wedge, but the lower loft of the club does the work for you.
Feet Together: Start with your feet close together.
Weight Forward: Keep your weight shifted forward to encourage a downward strike.
Body Turn: The motion comes from your body turning back and through, not from your hands and wrists.
Hit the Nail: I want you to imagine you're hitting an imaginary nail in the back of the ball. You're not trying to lift the ball in the air; you're just driving it forward.
I've seen it time and time again. This shot might not be as flashy as a high-flying flop shot, but for most golfers, it's a much more effective way to get the ball on the green and give yourself a putt for par or bogey. The expectation shouldn't be to get down in two every time; getting onto the green and having a chance to two-putt is a bloody good result!
Key Lessons for Mastering Your Short Game:
Lose the Loft: Unless you absolutely need to fly over a hazard, opt for a lower-lofted club like a 7, 8, or 9 iron.
Minimize Your Swing: A smaller, more controlled swing reduces the chance of making a bad strike and minimizes the penalty for any minor errors.
Embrace the Roll: Understand that the ball will fly lower and roll out more. This makes distance control much more predictable.
Master the Simple Technique: Focus on the fundamentals: feet together, weight forward, and a body-driven motion.
By ditching the high-lofted clubs and embracing the simple, reliable bump-and-run, you'll find that your short game becomes less stressful and far more effective. It's not about being a golf pro; it's about being a smart golfer.
Ready to gain more control around the greens and lower your scores? Book a call with Paul Williamson today so he can guide you in the right direction!
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