“Roll is a lot more easier to judge than flight” – John Jacobs
The above quote comes from the godfather of modern golf instruction, Mr John Jacobs. For any teaching pro, or in fact anybody who is interested in improving their golf, his material is a must read.
As with most individuals who are considered greats in their respective field, John Jacobs was way ahead of his time, he was the first coach to really document and publicise information around the ball flight laws, i.e. what a club does through impact to produce a certain shot a.k.a. fact not fiction.
He certainly knew a thing or two about this ”ol stick and ball game” did Mr Jacobs, and that quote at the top of this page has served me and my students very well over the years.
Many a time I have given lessons on the short game, been out playing with students or had players play with me in a pro-am and stood back in complete horror as they turn the relatively simple into the very complex.
I’m talking about little chip shots from just around the green.
The ball may be resting ten or so feet off the green in rough grass or on the apron sitting well, requiring a little nudge onto the green and a gentle roll up to the hole.
Choice of club should be a straight faced club like an eight iron, seven iron or, maybe even a putter, but time and time again I will see player reach for their most lofted club.
Just because you are around the green does not mean you automatically have to reach for the most lofted club in the bag, chips do not need to fly high, as the quote above states, flight is so much harder to judge than roll.
I kid you not, I’ve seen some of the best players in the world chip from just off the green with 5,6,7 irons, even three and five woods, aiming to get the ball onto the floor as soon as possible and running to the hole.
It’s about reducing margin for error.
Playing the percentages, putting the odds in your favour.
Yes the floated chip with a bit of backspin, played with a lofted club may look fantastic, but most of the time it serves no purpose, not to mention it’s an incredibly complex shot to pull off and should only really be attempted if you have solid technique.
Loft is in fact a double edged sword, it can get you out of many a tight spot around a green, you can play some fantastic shots with loft, but a lot of the time using loft can lead to problems with technique for the average player as they try and help the ball into the air.
So the next time you head out to the practice green, or have a few minutes before your round, try hitting a few chips with your less lofted clubs.
Watch how the ball comes off the face of the club, how it reacts on landing and the amount of roll produced. Learnt this shot and it can’t help but take strokes off your score.
Now if your up for improving, want to get your handicap down and shoot lower scores, then learning to turn three shots into two around the green is an essential skill.
Something else that can help you on the road to lower scores is my e-book “9 Ways to Lower Your Handicap & Shoot Your Best Round Ever”, it”s available to you free of charge at this link here.
Check it out now whilst the going is good and before I change my mind and start charging for this little bad boy.
Play easy.
Bob James PGA