Bump and Run
A bump and run is a low-trajectory golf shot played near the green that lands short of the flag and rolls most of the way to the hole, usually hit with a mid-iron like a 7, 8, or 9.
What is a bump and run?
The name of the shot describes exactly what it does. The ball is “bumped” a short distance through the air, lands on the fringe or just onto the green, and then “runs” along the ground toward the hole. It stays low, covers most of its distance on the turf, and behaves more like a putt than a chip by the time it stops.
A bump and run is one of several options a golfer has when the ball is within roughly 5 to 40 yards of the green. Rather than flying the ball most of the way with a lofted wedge, the golfer uses a club with less loft and a compact, putting-style stroke. The ball barely gets off the ground. That trade-off has a clear purpose. Lower trajectory means less spin, and less spin means more predictable roll. The ground does the work that the clubface would otherwise have to.
The shot fits into the short game as a low-risk alternative to a chip or pitch. It is one of the simplest shots in golf when conditions allow it, which is why many teaching professionals recommend it over higher-lofted options for recreational players.
When to use a bump and run
A bump and run works best when three conditions line up. First, there is nothing between the ball and the green that needs to be carried: no bunker, no water, no thick rough, no collar of long grass. Second, the ground between the ball and the hole is reasonably firm and smooth, so the ball can roll predictably. Third, there is enough green between the landing spot and the flag for the ball to run out without rolling past.
Firm turf and windy conditions both favour the shot. A lower ball flight cuts through wind, lands softer on firm turf than a high shot would, and is easier to control on fast greens because the golfer picks the landing spot and lets the roll handle the rest. Tight lies, where the grass is cut short or worn thin, are another strong case. A lofted wedge is unforgiving on a tight lie, while a mid-iron with less loft tends to strike the ball cleaner.
The shot is a poor choice when a bunker, water hazard, mound, or stretch of thick rough sits between the ball and the green. It is also risky on a steep downhill green where the ball needs to stop quickly, since the bump and run is designed to run, and a fast downhill surface will carry it long.
What clubs are used for a bump and run?
There is no single correct club. The choice depends on how much air and how much roll the golfer needs. Most bump and runs are played with a 7, 8, or 9 iron. A 7-iron produces the lowest trajectory and the most roll; a 9-iron gets slightly more air and less roll. According to Golf Digest instructor Joe Plecker, a higher-lofted iron like a 7, 8, or 9 is the most efficient choice when there is a long stretch of green to cover and nothing to lob over.
Some players go further in either direction. A pitching wedge can be used for shorter bump and runs where a little more height is needed to clear the fringe. Longer irons, hybrids, and even fairway woods are occasionally used from the apron, especially on firm links turf where the ball will release a long way.
The general rule is simple: more loft equals less roll, and less loft equals more roll. A rough guide for a clean lie on flat ground is below.
| Club | Approximate carry | Approximate roll |
|---|---|---|
| 5 or 6 iron | 10% | 90% |
| 7 iron | 20% | 80% |
| 8 iron | 25% | 75% |
| 9 iron | 30% | 70% |
| Pitching wedge | 40% | 60% |
These ratios shift with green speed, lie, and slope, but they give a starting point. Parker McLachlin, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher, advises landing the ball one or two paces onto the green and letting it roll out like a putt from there.
Bump and run vs chip shot vs pitch shot
Much of the confusion around the bump and run comes from how close it sits to the chip shot. Some golfers and coaches treat the two as the same thing. Others draw a distinction based on the club used.
In the most common usage, a chip shot refers to any short shot around the green played with a wedge or 9-iron and a putting-style stroke. A bump and run is a type of chip played with a lower-lofted club (typically an 8-iron or longer) that produces much more roll than air. A pitch shot is different again: it uses more wrist hinge, more loft, and is designed to land softly and stop quickly, usually from farther out.
| Shot | Typical club | Trajectory | Roll | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bump and run | 7, 8, or 9 iron | Low | Lots | Clear path, firm ground, plenty of green |
| Chip shot | 9 iron, pitching wedge | Low | Moderate | Just off the green, modest roll needed |
| Pitch shot | Pitching, gap, or sand wedge | Medium-high | Little | Over an obstacle, stop quickly |
| Flop shot | Lob or sand wedge | High | Minimal | Short-sided, need to stop fast |
Of the four, the bump and run has the lowest trajectory and the most roll. It is also the shot with the smallest margin for error, which is why many teachers recommend it to beginners working on their short game.
Origins of the bump and run
The bump and run is one of the oldest shots in golf. It came from the links courses of Scotland, where the game was first played on firm coastal ground exposed to strong wind off the sea. Early golfers used hickory shafts and soft, low-spin balls that did not hold up well to high shots in the wind. Keeping the ball low was the only reliable option.
The shot remains a hallmark of links golf today. Commentators and players at The Open Championship, which is always played on links courses in Britain and Ireland, reference the bump and run constantly. Even on modern inland courses with softer greens and thicker rough, the shot still has a place whenever the turf runs firm.
Common misconceptions
A few misunderstandings about the bump and run come up often enough to be worth clearing up.
The shot is only for links courses.
It is most associated with links-style play, but the bump and run works on any course where the ground between the ball and the green is firm and unobstructed. Parkland courses in dry summer conditions are perfectly suited to it.
It is the same as a chip shot.
The two overlap, and some coaches use the terms interchangeably in everyday conversation around the clubhouse and on the range. The distinction most instructors draw comes down to club choice. A chip is usually played with a wedge or 9-iron, while a bump and run reaches for a longer, less-lofted iron to get more roll.
You need a lofted wedge.
The opposite is closer to the truth. A lofted wedge adds spin and air time, both of which work against the bump and run. The shot is designed around lower-lofted clubs.
Related Golf Terms
- Break — The curve or slope of the green that affects the path of a putt.
- Bogey — A score of one over par on a single hole.
- Chip shot — A short, low shot played close to the green with a wedge or 9-iron.
- Blade — A type of iron with a thin, flat clubhead preferred by skilled players.
- Bogey golfer — A golfer who typically scores around one over par per hole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called a bump and run?
The name is literal. “Bump” describes the small hop the ball makes as it lands short of the green or just on the apron; “run” describes how it rolls along the ground after that. The two words together describe the full path of the shot from strike to stop.
What is the best club for a bump and run?
There is no single best club. Most players reach for a 7-iron, 8-iron, or 9-iron, though some teachers recommend going as long as a 5-iron when the shot calls for a lot of roll. The further from the green the ball sits, and the more roll is needed, the less loft is used. A pitching wedge suits shorter, higher-trajectory versions of the shot.
Is a bump and run the same as a chip shot?
Not quite. A bump and run is often described as a type of chip, but it is usually played with a lower-lofted club and produces much more roll than a standard chip. Golf writer Brent Kelley notes that the term is sometimes used interchangeably with “chip and run” and “run-up shot.”
Can beginners use the bump and run?
Yes, and many coaches actively recommend it for beginners. The stroke is compact, resembles a putting motion, and has a smaller margin for error than a lofted wedge shot. Less can go wrong when the ball never gets far off the ground.
When should you not play a bump and run?
Any time there is an obstacle between the ball and the green (a bunker, water, thick rough, or a mound), a higher shot is safer. It is also a poor choice on a firm, downhill green where the ball needs to stop quickly, since the shot is designed to keep rolling.
Sources
- Plecker, Joe. “How to hit a bump and run: A 5-step refresher for golfers.” Golf Digest.
- McLachlin, Parker. “Master the bump and run shot in six simple steps.” Golf.com.
- Elliott, Brendon. “A Six-Step Guide to Master the Bump and Run Chip.” PGA.com.
- Kelley, Brent. “Bump and Run Golf Shot (Definition).” LiveAbout.
- Palozola, Maria. “The Bump and Run.” My Golf Instructor.
- “The Bump and Run.” NJM Blog.
- “Golf’s Swiss Army Knife: The Bump and Run Shot.” The Left Rough.
