Ditching high-loft wedges around the green in favor of a hybrid bump-and-run It’s one of the classic golf tips, but do the numbers really back it up? It was something I was wondering recently, so I decided to do a little experiment.
We put three amateur players through a 30-shot test to see if putting with a hybrid produces better closeness and consistency than traditional wedge options. And not only did they test their mettle on both types of shots, when it came to the bump-and-run hybrid, it was their first time. ever try the shot.
Here’s how the experiment went.
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The Setup
Distance: 10 meters from the hole.
Destination Corridor: A 3-yard wide landing/finishing zone bounded by alignment sticks.
Format: Three players hitting 10 shots each (five with a hybrid, five with their wedge of choice).
Round 1: The bump-and-run hybrid
Using a simplified putting motion, all three players demonstrated immediate control and consistency. Out of 15 total attempts with the hybrid, six shots landed and ended up in the 3-yard target zone. Remarkably, performance was balanced across the board – each player successfully placed exactly two shots into the target lane. The hybrid’s wide sole and low loft significantly reduced the penalty for off-center shots.
Round 2: The wedge of choice
When players switched to their favorite wedges for five tries each, the spread widened considerably:
58° wedge: Three out of five in the end zone.
54° wedge: Two of five in the end zone.
Ultra-High 60° Loft Wedge: Zero out of five in the target area (including two shots that missed the entire green).
I take it away
Putting it with a hybrid has provided a better proximity and consistency to take the ball from 10 meters away from the hole to the destination corridor. From the 30-shot test, the hybrid option produced a combined six successful shots into the target zone. This was an additional blow on the wedge options that produced a combination five successful shots in the target area. More importantly, the high-loft wedge options (especially the 60 ° wedge) introduced a massive variance, resulting in complete misses outside the putting surface.
How to play the hybrid chip
If you’re ready to try the hybrid option for your next approach shots, we’ve got three steps to get you started.
1. Set up as a putt: Get closer to the ball so that the shaft is more vertical, lifting the heel slightly off the turf.
2. Choke down: Choke down near the bottom of the handle for maximum control.
3. Use a put stroke: Keep your wrists steady and let the wide sole slide over the turf without digging in.
For recreational golfers looking to eliminate costly turf interaction errors around the periphery, trading in ultra-high lofts for a hybrid bump-and-run offers a wider margin for error and closer proximity to the hole. So the next time you’re not sure whether to play the chip or a bump-and-run, opt for the latter. It will save you shots in the long run.
