Golf · Chipping · Decision-making

Bump and run club selection

Three different spots around one green; the player reads each lie and the green available, picks the club and calls the landing spot before playing.

GreenABCPCO
Start / 6
Time
20 min
Players
1–6
Age
U11+
Area
Chipping green
Equipment
9 ballsclubs: 7-iron, 9-iron, wedge and putter3 cones or markers

Setup

  1. Use one hole and mark three spots off the green, each with a different picture.
  2. Spot A: a tidy lie with a long stretch of green to the hole.
  3. Spot B: short-sided, with only a few metres of green between the edge and the hole.
  4. Spot C: on a smooth fringe with nothing in the way.
  5. Only one player plays at a time; the others stand behind the player and well out of reach of the club.

How it runs

  1. At each spot, the player looks at the lie, the green available and the slope, then says the club and the landing spot out loud.
  2. Play three balls from each spot. A ball finishing within a putter length of the hole scores 2; within two putter lengths scores 1.
  3. If the first ball misses, the player may change club for the next one, but must say why.
  4. Rotate spots so every player plays all three; total the scores.
  5. Finish by holing out the best ball from each spot.

Coaching points

  • Get the ball on the ground and rolling as early as the lie and the green allow: putt if you can, chip if you can't putt, pitch only when you must.
  • Less-lofted clubs fly lower and roll further; a lofted wedge carries more and stops sooner. Learn your own clubs.
  • Pick a landing spot a pace or so onto the green, where the bounce is predictable.
  • Same chipping action for every club: ball back of centre, weight on the lead side, hands just ahead, a firm putting-style stroke.
  • Read the putt from the hole back: chips break and roll out like putts.

Common mistakes

  • Reaching for a lofted wedge every time, even with lots of green to work with.
  • Landing the ball in the fringe or rough, where the bounce is unpredictable.
  • Choosing the club before looking at the lie and the slope.
  • Flicking the wrists to lift the ball instead of trusting the loft.

Say it: “Ground first, air only if needed.”

Make it harder

  • One ball per spot, and the coach changes the hole position between rounds.
  • Add a spot from light rough, or one chipping uphill onto a tier.
  • Score only balls within a putter length.

Make it easier

  • Two clubs only: a 9-iron and a putter.
  • Bigger scoring circle of three putter lengths.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.