Know when to play the lob shot

Five key questions that will help you decide whether to take the risky option

THIS is a familiar situation to all club players. You’ve just missed the green and left yourself a tempter. There is just about a shot on – a high lob that just clears the fringe and lands softly near the pin – but it’s a risky option. Chris Jenkins, the under-16 coach of England’s East Region, suggests that you ask yourself these five questions to gauge if the risk is worth it.

1. Will the lie permit the lob?

You have to slide the sole of the club under the ball. Be sure there is enough grass under the ball to permit this strike; if the lie is tight, play a more conservative shot. Also beware the ball sitting too well as the club can pass straight underneath.

2. Have I got the tools for the job?

Opening the clubface shows a little more sole bounce to the ball. Try playing the shot with the 12-degree of bounce you find on a typical sand wedge and the club can skip off the ground. The ideal club is a 60-degree lob wedge with no more than 6-degree of bounce.

3. Is the reward worth the risk?

Statistics show that the chances of you holing a putt always drops rapidly outside eight feet. With this, you should consider if taking it on gives you a better chance of ending up within eight feet – it could be worth it.

4. How good are you at these shots?

This shot requires full commitment on the part of the player and no negativity. You have to ask yourself how successful you were with your last five lob shots and when you last practised it. If you decide you could pull the shot off seven times in 10, then one would have to say: ‘Go for it’.

5. Check if there a safer option

A careful reading of the situation can often throw up a less risky but perfectly serviceable strategy. Here, a slope on the green will carry the ball towards the pin and this consequently means you do not have to hit the ball over the sand. So, remember foremost, that seven feet left and pin high is as good as seven feet long or short straight at the flag.