A bump and run golf shot is played around the green and is a chip that rolls along the ground more than it flies in the air.

It is played most commonly with a slightly less lofted club such as a 7 iron so that the ball flies on a lower trajectory so that it rolls forward once it lands. Playing the shot with a 7 iron would on average see the ball fly a quarter of the shot in the air and then roll along the green for three quarters of the shot, if the green is relatively flat and weather conditions are average. If you remember this, the next time you play the shot you will be able to chip very accurately at the hole by working out where a quarter of the way is from the ball to the hole and then landing the shot first bounce on that quarter spot.

To play the shot effectively, you need to set up with the ball in the middle of your stance. Aim the club face at the target and then place your feet together and pointing at the club face in line with it. Now step left and right with your feet and then pull your left foot directly back by about four inches. If you do this it will rotate your pelvis slightly towards the target (for right handed golfers) and help you swing your arms and the club down the target line so that you experience a great chip.

Create a straight line from your left shoulder down your left arm to your left hand and then continue this down the club shaft to the club head. This will set your hands ahead of the club head or to the left of the club head as you are looking at your set up and this is crucial if you are to hit a crisp chip. Doing this will also place slightly more weight on your left side and you now want to swing the straight line of your left arm and the club away from the ball and then return the straight line back to the ball and through it towards the target, rotating your body to the left of the target as you do this. Your weight and hand position will encourage you to make a downward striking action with the club head towards the golf ball and this will force the ball forwards and up the club face angle, in to the air.

The distance that you need to swing the club head away from the ball will be dependent upon the distance you need to play the chip. If it is a short shot you only need a short backswing and a longer shot requires a longer swing. But whatever length you swing the club head to the right of the ball, you need to return the club head back to the golf ball and then swing it an identical distance to the left of the ball on your follow through. This will ensure that you maintain the speed in the club head as you strike the golf ball and as such you will hit a successful chip.

As you swing also work on moving the club with a steady and even tempo back and through the shot and you will be playing a great bump and run shot in no time.