Chipping - Carry/Roll Ratios

[Ducky]

Hi everyone,

 

Generally, I have been doing most of my chipping around greens with my 60/12 wedge, but would like to start using additional clubs to improve the versatility of my short game. As a result, I would like an effective way to calculate the carry/roll ratios for various clubs.

 

Previously, I had read (I cannot quote the original source) that a good way to calculate the carry/roll ratio was to take the number twelve (12) and minus the club number. For example, if I was chipping with an 8-iron the carry/roll ratio would be 4:1 (12 - 8 = 4).

 

Honestly, I have not sufficiently tested out this theory. However, I was curious to see if anyone else has a more accurate way of calculating the carry/roll ratios.

 

Thanks!

[Constantin]

Hi!

 

a pro at my club has just published a book and he uses this kind of calculation:

 

12- (roll/carry) = club selection

 

The method seems to work, but i don't like it too much. It makes the short game a bit to analytical for my liking. Depending on where in my stance I place the ball, I get different ratios. The lie isn't taken care of either. A lobwedge chip from the fairway will stop much quicker than the same chip from the rough. i like to rely on feeling and instincts in my short game!

[DavidR]

I agree with the above poster. I like to rely on feel for my short game rather then statistical analysis. The slope and firmness of the green will have so much to do with the end result that I don't think it is even worthwhile to attempt to figure out a ratio.

[againstthegrain]

It's all the Pelz Short Game Bible from LW down to 3i.

[emc]

Chipping has to be feel, because with the same club you can send one skipping across the green by leaning into it and getting some hook spin, or you can stop it dead with cut spin and leaning on the back foot. To practice just take one club and 3 balls to the practice green and just keep chipping

[Diesel]

all feel and practice... a formula isn't going to do crap for you in the short game... get out there and practice...

 

don't give yourself too many options either...

 

just work on a LS, GW, PW, 8I to start...

[Ducky]

I don't believe it can all just be feel, there has to be a guideline. Of course, adjustments can be made to the guideline based on lie, slope, etc. It appears that the original ratio mentioned (and Constantin's) appears to be the most common.

 

Do you just "feel" yardages on your pitches or full shots? Of course not, you have set yardages for each club which are then adjusted according to the lie, slope, wind, etc.

[nyhacker]

There is no subsittue for feel. Each turf type and lie is going to give a different result. Practice is the only way to be able to judge this most effectively. A player's short game is what defines them. All of the greats have has amazing short games. It were as easy as a formula everyone on tour would have TW's short game.

[Constantin]

I do think one can feel a yardage. I am not talking about feeling 172 yards on a full 7 iron or so. But hey if I am inside 100 or maybe 70 yards I wouldn't pull out my Pinseeker (If i actually owned one :P). It's all taking a couple of practice swings to get the feel for the shot I will need to get me close!

[emc]

Obviosuly for shots from 20 to 100 yards you need to have a basis of some form of half or 3/4 swing, but inside that it's all down to feel and hours spent practicing different shots from different lies with different clubs to see what works

[ej002]

How does the ball know if an 8 iron is delofted to a 7 iron or increased to a 9 iron. What about the speed of the green? The amount of condensation? The ball cover? Now we are talking calculus. It reminds me of the commercial where Tiger says "I forgot the earth's rotation". I am not making fun of anyone, but seriously I doubt any number / ratio would work for the same person the same way all time. Practice is the only way.

[mikpga]

A chip shot by definition spends more time rolling on the ground than it does flying in the air. I always try to encourage students to treat a chip shot as though it were a putt. Try to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. I personally am not a big fan of determining ratios.

[stuckntx]

Let's give credit to the innovator of this method, who happened to have a handy short game, Paul Runyan.

BTW, speed is calculated on the practice green, which is what will give you the 12 calculation. Of course, practice greens do not always roll like those on the course.

[Diesel]

chips ideally are 1 part carry, 2 parts roll...

 

anything else is probably a pitch...