When to Run It

The lob shot is probably the last shot you would want to hit around the green. The percentages of success are against you on this type of shot. It's much easier to pitch and run the ball on the green instead of trying to lob it on. But with a few tips and some practice time, you can improve your chances for short game success no matter if you try to lob the ball on or run it up.

Lob Shot
It's best to try the lob shot only when you have very little green to work with and your lie is good enough that you can slide the club underneath the ball. That's about the only time when it makes sense to try to hit the ball high and land it soft on the green.

Set-Up Tips

  • Open the clubface to add extra loft to the shot.
  • Aim left of your target. The ball will spin to the right when it lands on the green.
  • Weight should be evenly distributed on both feet.

Swing Tips

  • Swing the club back on your body line.
  • Swing through not allowing the clubface to turn over.
  • Finish with the clubface open (pointing up to the sky) to give the shot the loft and spin to stop the ball quickly on the green.

Pitch & Run Shot
The worst mistake you can make on a pitch & run shot is probably going to be much better than your worst lob shot mistake. You can pitch & run the ball from both good and bad lies, just make sure you have plenty of green to work with between your ball and the hole.

Set-Up Tips

  • Play the ball back in your stance.
  • Narrow your stance, feet about a foot apart.
  • Keep the weight on your left side.
  • Place hands slightly forward to take some of the loft off the shot to make the ball run farther than it will carry in the air.

Swing Tips

  • Swing back with very little wrist hinge to reduce the amount of backspin on the ball.
  • Swing through never letting the clubhead pass your hands.

I've covered two ways to get it up and down from the same place. In golf, there is no one way to do any shot. If you practice both the lob shot and pitch & run shot, I think it will help you shave a few strokes off your score.