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GOLF
TEACHING PRO MAGAZINE®
Teaching the LOB SHOT
By Bob Wyatt
USGTF National Coordinator, Port St. Lucie, Florida
DEFINITION
The “lob” shot,
sometimes referred to as the flop shot, is a high-flying pitch shot
which, upon landing, has very little if any roll. The lob can be
used anywhere when this flight characteristic is required.
For example, a player
might be just off the green by five or six yards, but a pot bunker
stands in his/her way. Running the ball through is not an option due
to the severity of the front lip of the bunker, and the pin is
tucked only a few feet behind the bunker, giving the player no
option but to put the ball into the air with a steep enough angle of
flight to ensure a minimum degree of roll.
EXECUTION
Opinions vary
somewhat from one teacher to another as to what a player should key
on when performing a lob pitch. Some say the use of a lot of hands
and wrists is best; others suggest keeping the wristiness to a
minimum! It’s no wonder so many students become confused and
frustrated over this shot. What teachers do agree on almost across
the board is the need for a long, unhurried swinging motion. Not a
move creating a lot of speed, but one designed to send the ball up
at a steep angle to provide the soft, controlled landing desired.
On a personal note, I
firmly believe this shot needs to be controlled by the lead hand and
arm. The lead arm is in position to create and retain the needed
radius of the swing as well as control the speed of the motion.
Being in front of the grip, the lead hand is also in position to
prevent the club from twisting and turning during the swing. An open
stance with the body weight slightly favoring the front foot is what
I normally use and what I recommend to my students. One last key
point: be aware of maintaining your spine angle as you strike the
ball, and, if having trouble getting the ball up quickly, try
keeping your spine angle into the finish even to the point of
feeling you are leaning forward. This will help prevent the body
from trying to tunnel under the ball.
CONCLUSION
It’s certainly more
advantageous to execute this shot with a lob wedge, however a sand
wedge of 56° to 58° will do the job just fine in most cases. Good
golfing!
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