Bump and Run: The Magic Golf Shot That Will Improve Your Game

In this article, I will be talking about the bump and run, a shot in golf that a beginner can practice and become quite good very quickly and help their game immensely.

The short game is where almost all amateurs lose most of their strokes on the course. When you're learning how to chip, the bump and run is an excellent shot option to add to your repertoire that can be highly effective in specific situations.

Key Takeaways

• The bump and run aims to keep the ball on a low trajectory, allowing it to roll or "run" towards the hole once it lands on the green.

• You can use any club to hit a bump and run; the lower the loft the more run out, or "release", on the green.

• The bump and run is easier to control and predict, opposite hitting the ball in the air, making it very effective around the green.

Executing the Bump and Run Shot

Stance

In preparation for your bump-and-run shot, you must select the right club for the distance needed to get you into gimme territory, if not sink it in the hole.

Certain types of wedges, such as a gap or pitching wedge, will work, or even a 9 iron can be suitable for shorter distances.

For longer distances, lower irons or fairway woods or hybrids can be used in specific scenarios if distance and lie call for it. A little further down the page I get into what to look for to pick the best option for club.

It is more about technique and understanding distances with your clubs than me telling you which EXACT club you should use.

When lining up for the bump and run, stand with your feet close together and have the ball slightly back in your stance.

This setup helps create a more vertical shaft angle for achieving a clean bump-and-run shot. Your weight distribution should lean towards your front foot, which promotes a downward strike on the ball.

When gripping the club, ensure your hands are ahead of the clubface. This forward hand position helps to minimize wrist action, giving you better control over the shot.

I can’t stress enough the importance of weight being distributed towards your front foot, as the consequences of not doing this end up in higher risk if skulling the shot way across the green.

Hitting the Bump and Run

Maintaining a stable base and keeping your head still throughout the swing.

Make sure that your shoulders should remain level during the backswing and follow-through so that the tempo is flowing. 

As you take the club back, avoid hinging your wrists, which can negatively impact the shot's consistency.

When contacting the ball, aim to strike downward with the club, creating a low, running trajectory.

Pay attention to your lead foot. As you contact the ball, ensure your lead foot is firmly planted on the ground.

This provides stability during the shot and helps transfer the weight from your back foot to your lead foot while keeping the club low for better control.

Your follow-through should be short and controlled, ensuring you maintain a stable and consistent swing.

I recommend you understand the difference between a short and controlled follow-through vs. stabbing at it, as many amateur golfers tend to do this. 

The smoothness of the swing is important and will reflect in your results.

What are the Advantages of the Bump and Run?

The bump and run can be a reliable and effective weapon in your golf arsenal. This type of shot involves striking the ball with a low launch angle, allowing it to roll on the ground toward your target with greater control.

One significant benefit of hitting a bump and run is the increased control you can achieve in windier conditions. The bump and run is a great shot to use if you are playing a links style golf course, given the generally high winds.

A high, lofted shot around the green adds another element to account for that is often difficult to predict and control when the wind is strong.

However, since bump and run shots fly close to the ground, they are far less affected by the wind, offering you higher precision and more or less neutralizing the wind considerations in the shot.

Golf is a challenging game, as we know, so knowing when to use the bump and run is part of making decisions on the course to help your score.

Another advantage of the bump and run is its simplicity, making it a reliable shot to execute. It demands lesser body motion compared to a pitching or chipping shot, enabling you to maintain consistency in both distance and direction.

Choking down on the club slightly and narrowing your stance are some simple techniques to help improve your accuracy when hitting a bump and run shot.

Moreover, low running shots pave the way for better managing uneven surfaces on the golf course where your ball lies.

With a standard lofted shot, an uneven lie or unpredictable terrain can easily result in an unsatisfactory result.

In contrast, bump and run shots roll on the ground, making it less likely for uneven surfaces to affect your shot's performance.

Club Selection for the Bump and Run

When choosing your club for a bump and run shot, consider the following factors:

• Loft: The optimal loft will depend on the course conditions, obstacles, and desired trajectory.

• Distance: Different clubs will cover varying distances, so choose a club that aligns with the range you need to cover.

• Green conditions: The slope and speed of the green should influence your club selection to maximize control and accuracy.

As mentioned earlier in this article, it is not necessarily about recommending the perfect club for you to choose; it is about getting you to understand your clubs and skills with each.

You can use that knowledge to select the right club based on distance, obstacles, and green conditions.

Tips and Drills for Better Bump and Run Shots

One Hand Swing

Hold your club with one hand (the hand closest to the club head) and practice hitting bump-and-run shots.

It does feel awkward initially, but it will help you develop a better sense of control over the club and enhance your touch around the greens.

Land the Ball on a Coin

Place a coin, ball marker, or a small target on the green, and practice landing your bump and run shots on it.

This drill will train your skill in judging distances and controlling your trajectory.

Aim for the coin, and with practice, you can consistently land the ball close to your desired landing spot.

Practicing this with different clubs will also give you a better sense of how far the roll out is for each.

Practice from Different Lies

Practicing from various lies on the practice green will prepare you for any situation you may encounter on the course.

Work on hitting bump and run shots from tight, fluffy, and slight uphill or downhill lies.

This will help you adapt to diverse conditions and confidently execute bump and run shots.

The bump and run is a neat little shot that I have started to use a lot more in my short game and is one of the easier short game shots to get the hang of if you practice just a bit!

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