Shot Selection: When should you NOT use a lob wedge when just under 50y around the pin?

Question

Can you give examples when it will be just wiser to use a less lofted gap or sand wedge than going for a lob shot?

Like for example... youre just behind a green side bunker.. would you still go for a lob shot even though there is a good chance of you will hit a bladed shot? In this scenario... would it be wises to go for high lob a shot or soft pitch with another less lofted wedge?

Other examples are also welcome.

Answer 1

Molly -

Here is some simple advice from Ben Hogan that I follow when I play.

If the pin is in the front of the green, bring it in high, if it's in the back of the green, bring it in low......whatever club you need to accomplish this is up to you, but this is sound advice.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I will not use a lob wedge/do a lob shot on to the green if there's water guarding the green and also when the wind direction is working against me.

Answer 3

I use my lob to carry greenside bunkers or to hit the green when a hill is in front of it.  I used to blade it but that was when I tried to hit it too far I never even consider hitting it unless I'm w/in 50 yards even that is a stretch.  It is a very usefull club for me in those situations I mentioned (which unfortunately happen a lot.  

My advice practice your pitching wedge from 50-100 those IMO are the toughest shots in golf because you have to swing just right.  

Just made me think of flubbing the ball 2 feet forward on one of those 50 yard pitches after a 320 yard drive.  I think I'm gonna be sick....

Answer 4

WHEN YOUR MIND TELLS YOU NOT TO, ONLY YOU KNOW WHEN TO GO FOR IT... "HIT 'EM STRAIGHT"

Answer 5

I don't have a lob wedge or even want one.  PW and SW are much better for me.  7I 8I 9I also work well for 50y shots.  Be creative with your shots.  Try different trajectories.  There's no magic bullet for a 50y shot.  Try having several 50y shots and use the best one for whatever type of 50y you're faced with.

Answer 6

You should not use a lob wedge anywhere on the course if your not sure you can hit it correctly. Practice on the practice greens and range.

That being said, the lob wedge can be extremely useful, especially on the opposite side of a bunker. If you are afraid of blading the ball, there is a reason that you do. Generally, it is because you are shifting your weight back and trying to come under the ball. To get the ball to pop up, you need to come down on it at a sharper angle. Try keeping your weight forward through out the entire swing.

Below is a link to a website for a free report on how to pitch a golf ball. Very useful information.

Answer 7

Anytime that you are not forced to carry a greenside bunker or water hazard.  Get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible on every short shot.  

Now unlike some other people, I have no fear of bladingthe ball over the green with my lob wedge, because Ive practiced with it and used it for years.  Once you get good with that club, besides your putter, it will be the most valuable club in the bag.

Ex.  40 yards in to a 3 tiered green, pin cut in the back, and an apron cut in front of the green...no bunker or water hazard to carry.  This shot presents a few options.  Carry the ball to the back tier with a lob wedge with some spin, try to get it to stop close to the hole.  Risky shot, no reason to even try it.

Play a lower shot with a Pitching Wedge, try to land it into the ridge below the top tier, one-hop and check, and let the ball filter to the hole.  Easier shot, but must be precise where you land the ball, it could roll back down the hill or run through the green.  Pretty good option but not the best.  

Best option:  Play the shot back in your stance a bit with a 7 or 8 iron, keeping it low.  Land the ball on the apron or just on the front of the green, and let it roll up to the hole.  Much easier shot to execute, with much more consistent results.

Answer 8

I had a lob wedge for a while and it spent most of the time in my bag.  I use my sand wedge 99% of the time and a pitching wedge that other 1%.  I hit a variety of shots with both.  When I need more loft, I just lay the face of my sand wedge open giving it more loft.  Painting a scenario would be difficult being that you don't know the contour of the green once you hit over the bunker.  If you can hit it high enough for it to land soft and the green doesn't run away from you, then that should work.

Answer 9

Under 50 yards, I'd probably use my SW. I'd ensure a smooth swing with not a lot of power and try to land it maybe 10-15 feet away from the hole with some roll to get closer. I do use my LW only when I'm very close to the hole. Like 10-20 yards. That being said, I might even try a chip with my 7I if I'm that close if the lie befits it.

Answer 10

I don't carry a lob wedge precisely so I won't be tempted to use it. :) There are too many things that can go wrong with one.

There are so many other creative shots you can use in virtually any place you could use a lob. I always think about and evaluate shots in this order: putt, chip, pitch, lob. If I can putt it, I will. I'll putt with a 3 wood from 50 yards out in the fairway. I chip or pitch if I need to get the ball up a little. As a last resort, I'll pull out the sand wedge.

Answer 11

If I'm 50 yards or less from the green with a clear shot to the green, I try to keep the ball in the air as little as possible and roll the ball to the pin.  For me, I'm better off playing the bump and run rather than trying to fly it close to the pin.  I'm better at controlling my distance that way.