Bump and run with a sand wedge: Dubuisson's little lift
A 25-yard chip, with the flag at the back, on a firm and fast green: many would choose a 9-iron. Victor Dubuisson, however, plays this bump and run shot with his 58°, like a soft lift shot in tennis. He explains to the FFGolf why and how.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
On a firm, fast green, Victor Dubuisson prefers his 58° sand wedge with a No. 9 iron for the bump and run shot. He's looking for a soft ball—neither too high nor too low—that pitches about halfway, slows down a bit, then rolls gently toward the hole. On this chip shot of about 25 yards, the ball lands just before the break on the green. He wants the ball to take all the striations on the clubface, and check where the ball lands on the club to verify the impact area.
The technique looks like a a little facelift at the tennis court: ball between the feet, weight on the left, a fairly strong left-handed grip and his right hand slightly above it, which keeps the clubface square after impact. He swings around himself, using his body. The danger: the arms drift outward away from the body. The swing becomes outside-in, the ball slides off the clubface, makes contact with only half the grooves, and rolls too far. At the finish, the right forearm crosses over the left.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Choose a landing spot halfway down the slope, just before the break—if the green has one.
- Place the ball between your feet, with your weight on your left side.
- Use a strong left-hand grip, with your right hand slightly on top.
- Think of a slight lift in tennis: a motion that brushes the ball.
- Swing your arms around, keeping them close to your body.
- Finish with your right forearm above your left.
- Make sure your shots land in the same area on the face.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Use a 9-iron on a very firm and fast green.
- Let your arms move outward: an outward-to-inward motion.
- Slide the ball across the face: it only picks up half the grooves.
- A pitch that's too low or too high and doesn't break at mid-distance.
- A ball that rolls too far and won't stop.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- A landmark on the ground halfway along the route as a landing point
- Series of short lifts at 58°, weight on the left
- Check the impact marks on the clubface every five balls
- Check the finish: right forearm above the left
Your Questions
Why use a sand wedge for a bump and run shot instead of a 9-iron?
On a very firm and fast green, Victor Dubuisson wants a soft shot that stops halfway before rolling. Struck cleanly with his 58°, the ball follows all the grooves and doesn't run off.
Where should the ball land?
About halfway, whether you're approaching uphill or downhill. On its 25-yard chip, the landing spot is just before the break in the green.
What grip does he use?
A fairly strong left hand and a right hand that’s slightly higher. This grip keeps the clubface square after impact.
Why is my ball rolling too far on this shot?
According to him, the arms often move outward away from the body. The swing becomes an outside-in motion, the ball glides over the clubface and makes contact with only half of the grooves.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Victor Dubuisson). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.