John Hamarik's Tips of The Trades - Advice from a PGA Pro.

Learn the Bump and Run shot.

For such a long time, the bump and run shot has been a European specialty. In fact, the shot itself evolved from the earlier days of golf design mostly found in the British Isles, where wind and firm conditions were prevalent. Those variables made the bump and run necessary.

The American golfer primarily has relied on the sand wedge or pitching wedge, designed to bounce through long, rough grass and to carry deep bunkers. This technique is a necessary part of your short game, as is chipping from just off the green. But what if you're 10 yards in front of the green, which is slightly elevated, and the ground is firm with grass cut short. The experienced PGA Tour player would consider the bump and run. He may even putt the ball.

More courses are mowing the long rough, just off the green. This really gives the player a chance to be more creative with the short game. It offers the player a wide choice of club selection, anywhere from a putter to a 4-iron.

Answer these questions beforedeciding on the bump and run:

Is the surface in front of the green firm?

Is the grass cut short?

Is there a severe slope in front of you, where if the soft pitch were not properly executed, the ball would roll back to your feet?

Would it be difficult to hit a high lob off the firm ground with the lofted club?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you have the green light to hit the bump and run.

Club Selection

Let the height of the grass, the firmness, and the degree of slope be the determining factors in club selection.

1. Putting the ball is an option anytime, and you'll feel most accustomed to this style. This shot was used often and successfully from around the green during the 1991 Ryder Cup Matches at Kiawah Island, S.C.

2. Consider a 4-, 5-, or 6-iron for longer distances and negotiating contours between you and the hole.

3. Use a 7-, 8-, or 9-iron to create a little more carry and roll. You can avoid irregular surfaces in front of you.

4. Use a pitching wedge for many situations. The versatility of the club allows you to do many things, such as carry over a contour then rolling the ball, or to bump the ball into a contour and let it die to the hole, which is excellent for faster surfaces and fall-away slopes.

Overall, the main concept is to land the ball short of the green and roll it to the hole. Leave your sand wedge in your bag and experiment with different clubs for different situations. Be creative.

Bump and Run Technique

Pre-swing:

1. Choke down on the club, with grip pressure fairly firm.

2. Keep your hands ahead and slightly upward.

3. Keep your weight left, with a narrow, open stance.

4. Your knees should be flexed.

5. The ball position should be center for your putter, and slightly back of center for an iron.

In-swing:

6. On the backswing, your arm swing should have a slight wrist cock. This ensures some elevation of the clubhead in the backswing, which promotes a downward motion.

7. The path of the clubhead should be slightly inside the target line on the backswing, and down the line on the through swing. (A lengthy backswing causes deceleration and flippy action through impact.)

8. On the downswing, swing your arms forward and keep your knees moving, hitting down slightly with a firm, abbreviated follow-through. Keep your wrists firm during impact. This promotes a square clubface and solid contact. A slight divot is recommended with an iron club. The tendency is to break down the left wrist through impact, and miss-hit is the result.

9. When you finish, the club should be low to the ground an on the line. The knees should remain flexed with your weight left.

Less carry means a shorter, firmer swing, which will help you acquire more consistency and feel. This technique will minimize room for error. Also, you may miss-hit the bump and run slightly and still get a good result. The more you practice, the more feel and rhythm you will acquire.

At the Ryder Cup, the Americans beat the Europeans at their own game: the bump and run. You'll have fun using this shot. The only person who won't enjoy it is your opponent.