Hello, golf aficionados and accidental Golf Channel subscribers! It’s your favorite San Diego slice specialist, Linda Parker, back with another thrilling installment of “Golf Terms That Sound Like Failed Dance Moves.” Today, we’re diving into the world of the bump and run. No, it’s not what happens when you’ve had one too many Stone IPAs at the 19th hole. It’s actually a useful golf technique that might just save your scorecard. So grab a Ballast Point Sculpin, settle into your favorite golf cart, and let’s get bumping and running!
The Bump and Run: Not Your Grandma’s Fender Bender
First things first, what exactly is a bump and run in golf? Well, it’s a low-flying shot that spends more time on the ground than in the air. Kind of like my golf career, but with more intentionality.
The bump and run is typically used when you’re just off the green or in the fairway close to the green. Instead of trying to flop it high and soft (which in my case usually ends up as a chunk and curse), you bump the ball onto the green and let it run towards the hole.
Think of it as the golf equivalent of pushing your shopping cart and letting it roll to your car. Except in this case, the shopping cart is a Titleist, and the car is a 4.25-inch hole that seems to get smaller every time you look at it.
When to Bump and Run: Because Sometimes, the High Road Isn’t the Best Road
Now, you might be wondering, “Linda, when should I use this magical technique?” Well, let me tell you, it’s not just for when you’ve had too much Napa Valley Cabernet and can’t get the ball airborne. Here are some prime bump and run situations:
- When you’re just off the green: If you’re on the fringe or just in the fairway near the green, a bump and run can be your best friend. It’s like the golf gods are saying, “Here, we’ll make it easy for you this time.”
- When there’s a clear path to the hole: If the green is flatter than my attempts at humor, and there are no obstacles between you and glory, bump and run it is!
- When the wind is howling: If it’s blowing harder than my excuses after a triple bogey, keeping the ball low is your best bet. Unless you want your chip to end up in another zip code.
- When you’re feeling unconfident: Let’s face it, we all have those days when our short game is shorter than my patience for slow play. A bump and run is more forgiving than your standard chip shot.
- When you’re playing links-style courses: If you find yourself across the pond playing some Scottish links (or just at Torrey Pines on a particularly blustery day), the bump and run is your go-to move.
The Bump and Run Technique: It’s Not Rocket Science, But It’s Close
Alright, now that we know when to use it, let’s talk about how to actually execute a bump and run. Spoiler alert: it’s easier than trying to explain to your spouse why you need a new set of Kirkland clubs.
- Club Selection: You can use anything from a 7-iron to a pitching wedge. I personally like to use my 8-iron, mainly because the number 8 reminds me of how many shots over par I usually am by this point.
- Ball Position: Play the ball back in your stance, closer to your right foot (if you’re right-handed). If you’re left-handed, well, you’ve got bigger problems than ball position.
- Weight Distribution: Put about 70% of your weight on your front foot. Think of it as leaning into your problems, but with better results.
- Grip Down: Choke down on the club a bit. This gives you more control, which is something I’m always in desperate need of on the golf course.
- The Swing: Keep it simple. It’s a pendulum motion, like a putt but with a slightly longer backswing. No need for a full John Daly here.
- Follow Through: Keep it short and low. You’re not trying to high-five the clouds.
My Bump and Run Adventures: A Tragicomedy in Three Acts
Now, you might think, “Linda, surely with your ahem skills, you must be a bump and run pro!” Well, let me regale you with a few tales from the trenches.
Act 1: The Coronado Catastrophe
Picture this: I’m playing at Coronado Golf Course, it’s a beautiful San Diego day, and I’m just off the green on the 7th hole. “Perfect bump and run situation,” I think to myself, channeling my inner Phil Mickelson (minus the calves and the talent).
I set up, take my swing, and… the ball goes straight up in the air, travels about two feet, and lands right back where it started. Turns out, I had inadvertently invented the “bump and stay.” My playing partners were not impressed.
Act 2: The Torrey Pines Triumph
Fast forward a few weeks (and a few hundred range balls later), I’m at Torrey Pines North. I’m just off the green on the par-3 6th, with a tricky downhill lie. Normally, this is where I’d reach for my trusty sand wedge and proceed to blade it across the green. But not today!
I pull out my 8-iron, set up for the bump and run, and… it works! The ball lands softly on the green, rolls towards the hole, and stops about 2 feet away. I was so shocked I almost forgot to make the putt. Almost.
Act 3: The Maderas Misjudgment
Feeling cocky after my Torrey Pines success, I decided to try the bump and run from a bit further out at Maderas Golf Club. I was about 30 yards from the green, with a nice flat lie. “Perfect,” I thought, “I’ll just bump it onto the green and let it roll all the way to the hole. What could go wrong?”
Well, as it turns out, plenty. I didn’t account for the slight upslope of the green, and my perfectly executed bump and run turned into more of a bump and stop. The ball made it onto the green… and then promptly rolled back to my feet. I swear I heard it laughing at me.
The Bump and Run: Your New Best Friend (Or at Least a Casual Acquaintance)
So, there you have it, folks! The bump and run: a technique that can save your scorecard or give you new and exciting ways to embarrass yourself on the golf course. Either way, it’s a win-win!
Remember, the key to a good bump and run is keeping it low and letting it roll. Kind of like my expectations for breaking 80 – I keep them low, but I let that dream roll on.
Whether you’re playing the links of Scotland or just trying to save par at your local municipal course, the bump and run is a valuable tool in any golfer’s arsenal. It’s like a Swiss Army knife, but with fewer sharp edges and more potential for both glory and humiliation.
So the next time you find yourself just off the green, fighting the urge to reach for your 60-degree wedge, consider the bump and run. Who knows? You might just bump into success and run away with a better score.
And if not? Well, that’s what the 19th hole is for. At least there, every shot is perfect after enough Ballast Point Sculpins.
Until next time, keep it low and let it roll!
Cheers,
Linda 🏌️♀️🍷
P.S. If anyone needs me, I’ll be on the practice green at Aviara, trying to convince myself that every putt is just a really long bump and run. Wish me luck!