What's your short range "go-to" shot?

[sfrank711]

From around 40 yards and in, depending on the hole design of course, there are a number of shots you can use. What shot are you the most comfortable with in a clutch spot? Are you one of those guys who feel as though you have all of the shots in your bag, it's just a matter of picking out the right one and executing? Or as long as the conditions allow, do you stick with one type? I've been wondering a lot lately about my shot selection around the green, about whether my tendency to stick with what's comfortable has cost me shots in the past. For awhile there, I had somewhat of a one-sided love affair with the flop shot, lately have been more dependant on a lower, running type of shot. What are your tendencies once you get in close?

[Baycal92510]

It is easy for me to say because I run a pro shop all week. Which basically means between 10 am and 3 pm I am either putting or hitting shots from 40-50 yds to the green behind the shop. I don't really think there is a wrong answer, but there is probally a right one, you need to hit what you are comfortable with. Anything else is sabotage. Not many people have time to hit 50-100 really short shots a day like me but because I do I feel from 50 in I have 3 shots I work with. I favor the standard arms back to 9 o'clock pitch shot, because it allows the most margin for error, and is relatively easy the hit. The 2nd I would open up the face on my 56 and would hit more of a full shot all the way to the pin, maybe cutting across it just a hair. The one I go to least would be a choke down pitching wedge, land it on the front and let it run out. These are just my basic go to's, all plans are tenative and subject to change by operator depending on weather, lie, bunkers, and green shape, and about 20 other variables.

[Shaitan]

Nice answer.

 

Mine is the 9o'clock one as well from around 40m. It all depends on the green though - if there is plenty of room at the front of the green, i'll hit that 9o'clock shot lower and with more zip, if there isn't, high and soft - if i'm carrying a bunker and its tight, i might want to hit it harder and with more spin to make sure i carry that bunker. I also pretty much always use lob wedge inside 40m, unless i want to hit it lower or a bump and run, etc.

[thenewbie]

I don't even feel like i have a single kind of shot. its all by feel for me. I find the best way to approach pitchs is with complete trust in yourself. its scary how much better these shots end up going for me if i have and almost stupid level of self-belief.

[venturagolfer87]

pretty much anything 70 yards and in, i rely on my lob wedge. i understand that pros say you should be versatile with hitting different clubs different ways, etc. but for me, my lob wedge is just money anywhere from 70-80 yds all the way to chipping off the fringe. as far as the 40 yd shot, i hit the same club (lob wedge), and i basically use the same swing (9 o' clock to 2 or 3 o'clock), but if i want to hit it lower, one of those low two bounce and stop shots, i'll put the ball more back in my stance and have my downswing a little faster to put a little more spin on it, but still cut off the finish, if i want it to be the standard pitch shot, then i just put it in the middle of my stance and swing normally, if i want to hit it a little higher and land softer, then i put it a couple inches up in my stance, and again, maybe swing a little faster to put some more spin on the ball. but like the previous posts say, there's not really a wrong way to go, it basically just comes down to hitting the shot you're comfortable with, and hitting the right shot for the situation.