How to Bump and Run in Golf

The bump and run is a specialized golf shot, developed to get the ball over the fringe of the green and run it to the hole. It gives you more control than lofting the ball with a wedge and trying to get it to pancake up close to the flag. Use a 7 or 8 iron for this shot. Here's how to hit the bump and run.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Use the bump and run when the ball is close to the green and you have a lot of green to work with.
2. Address the ball with your feet about 6 inches apart and your toes pointed at a 45-degree angle to the target. Turn your shoulders so your front shoulder is at a 45-degree angle above the target. The ball should be just inside your front foot.
3. Think of this shot as a firm putt. Use a 7 or 8 iron to get just enough loft to lift the ball up off the ground. Use a quarter swing for this stroke and concentrate on a long roll to get the ball up close for a short putt to finish the hole.
4. Read the green as you would for a putt. Your swing will be similar to a firm-putting stroke, with your wrists held firm and your arms locked. The object is to "bump" the ball over the fringe in a low trajectory without being too concerned about how far you fly the ball. You want to get the ball rolling toward the cup as soon as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• A pancake shot is one that is hit high up in the air to come down on the green landing "flat" with very little roll. It's like flipping a pancake in a pan--up high and back down flat without much forward distance.