Imagine this, you hit a great iron shot approach to a par 4, but the golf Gods somehow make it leave the putting surface.
Then, you’re left with a debate that so many of us have faced countless times.
If you’re like most players, I’m sure you’re thinking… “Should I putt this?” Or, should I chip it?
It’s a great question because the wrong choice may leave you with a bogey (or worse). And there’s nothing worse than hitting a fairway, hitting a good approach shot, but walking away with anything more than par.
Yet, it happens to players all the time, despite how good they are striking it.
In fact, over 50% of shots happen on or around the green. Knowing how to maximize these shots is key to shooting lower scores and your flat stick might be the secret key to success.
In this post, we’ll review when you should be putting when you’re off the green and when you should take out a different club. Keep reading to start saving strokes and shooting consistently lower scores.
Putting Stroke vs. Chip Shot When Off the Green
If you watch a lot of PGA Tour golf on TV, you see them hit all kinds of crafty shots around the green. Sometimes it’s a chip, other times it’s a flop, and sometimes it’s even a bump and run with a hybrid or 3-wood.
Then, when we get to the course and we’re off the green, we try to do the same thing. When in reality, we’re not a PGA Tour pro (or even close) and find ourselves stubbing shots or thinning them over the green.
This usually leads to utter frustration, embarrassment, and anger that can affect the next shot too. Because you should be putting for par, instead you’re trying to save bogey.
When in reality, the answer was probably for you to putt the golf ball… even though it’s not on the dance floor.
There are a number of factors to consider when figuring out the right club, so let’s review each scenario. Let’s break down when you should putt, when you should chip, and what shots yield the best chances to get the ball up and down.
Short Game Rule: Putt As Much as Possible
A general rule of thumb in the game of golf is this; if you can putt it, putt it. If you can’t putt it, then chip it. And if you can’t chip it, then you should pitch it.
One of the best tips I’ve ever been told is to putt whenever possible!
Also, do you notice a theme? Keep the ball low so that it will roll on the ground like a putt. Don’t take a high follow through on a chip shot and get it high in the air.
Basically, land the shot on the green instead of trying to carry it to the hole.
Why?
Because a lot more can go wrong the higher off the ground it gets and it’s not the high percentage shot choice.
Seriously, even the best players in the world putt a ton of balls off the green. While it’s not as sexy as using a wedge, it is usually more effective.
Sure, they have the skills to chip or pitch (or in some cases like Phil Mickelson) flop the ball. But they’re still playing the shot with the highest percentage and that’s putting the golf ball.
Think about it, if you hit a “bad” putt, you’re still typically going to be within 5 or 6 feet of the hole. Yet, so many golfers try to hit the miracle shot around the green instead of using the putter to hit it close.
If the best guys in the world opt for putter instead of chipping or pitching, then you should too. Let’s review the scenarios to give you the best chance to save par.
How to Putt From Off the Green Fringe (or Low Cut Fairway Grass)
If your ball lies on the fringe or tightly mown fairway grass, putt it!
Nothing changes with setup either- not the ball position for putting, putting grip, or anything else. Just take a few extra practice strokes and make sure your through swing is enough.
The only thing to think about is how hard you hit it.
Since you’re not on the short grass, you need to hit it slightly harder to get through the longer grass. Otherwise, go through your normal routine, read the putt, and have confidence in your shot.
In other instances, putting isn’t the right choice. Sometimes you need to use a bump-n-run type chip shot, a pitch, or even a hybrid putting style shot.
Here are some scenarios you will find on the golf course and which shot you should attempt.
The Lie
Where the ball lies is another important factor in determining the correct shot to hit. If your ball is on the fringe aka short grass, then you’re fine. Even public courses with “hairier” fringes are usually fine to opt for the putter.
But if your ball is in the longer grass (aka, the main cut of rough), I would advise against putting it in most instances. If you’re someone who shoots 100+, then you can probably still putt from the light rough and get it closer than a chip. Just be prepared for the ball to bounce a little more on its journey to the hole.
However, if you’re more advanced, I would suggest chipping or using a hybrid bump and run shot instead. If it’s in super thick rough, avoid the putter entirely as it’ll be nearly impossible to make good contact. Opt for the wedge to deal with the thick stuff.
Remember, keep the ball low to the ground and you will save stroke after stroke during the round.
Type of Grass
The type of grass also plays a big role in deciding which shot to hit.
For example, I was watching Tiger’s Hero tournament in December 2021 and saw a lot of players putt from way off the green. They did this because the type of grass in the Bahamas is very “sticky”, meaning it can catch the bottom of the wedge and make following through nearly impossible.
This sticky grass led to some really bad chip shots (especially if you’re hitting into the grain). Perhaps no better example is Sam Burns who made a costly triple bogey that killed all his momentum. Finally, after several failed chips and plenty of embarrassment, he putted it and got it on the green.
The main type of grass this happens with is Bermuda, which has grain. When grain is a factor, it can really affect your chip shots and why it’s a good idea to putt instead of trying to chip it.
Click here to learn more about the different types of grass as well.
Distance to the Hole
Also, when considering the right play, any golfer should look at the distance to the hole. Is it 20 feet or is it 100 feet?
Imagine if your ball is just off the green and you have 20 feet to the hole, putting is no big deal. But if you have 100 feet and you’re off the green, it might take a few putts to get there. Instead, you might want to land it on the green and have it roll like a putt.
Always think about the pin location and carry distance by walking up to the hole and evaluating the shot.
Speed of the Greens
Another factor is the speed of the greens. Some golf courses have fast greens while others have slow greens.
If the greens are really fast, putting is usually the best option assuming you have the right lie. Most golfers can’t create enough spin with chip shots and they watch the ball roll well past the hole (or off the green).
Slower greens make it easier to stop the ball than fast greens.
Uphill or Downhill
While speed is important, the slope of the green also factors in. If you have an uphill approach, you’ll need to hit a putt harder or opt to use a wedge and lift the ball on the green.
Conversely, if it’s a downhill shot, putting is the play for almost any golfer.
Trouble Near the Target
Finally, when deciding what is the right play, make sure you evaluate any trouble.
For instance, if you’re thinking about chipping or pitching, but water is just off the green, go with a putter. I would hate to have you thin one and send a ball into the drink from just off the dance floor.
While it will surely make your friends laugh, it will 100% make your blood boil as well. Don’t try to be a hero when thick grass, bunkers, or water is in play around the hole.
Final Thoughts on Picking The Right Shot When You Miss the Putting Surface
Hopefully, these tips will help any golfer find more success from short range.
Don’t make golf harder than it already is by trying a miraculous chip shot or high flop. Instead, take the “boring” route and watch your scores drop almost immediately.
Remember, you already know how to putt and not many changes when you’re off the dance floor. The only thing you need to adjust is your speed and a slightly larger stroke.
Finally, always make sure you decide in your head about the shot you want to execute. The worst thing when you stand over a golf ball is to have indecision and don’t have a good sense of what you’re trying to do.
The more you can assess the lie and shot ahead of time, the easier it is when playing the shot.