7 Golf Lob Shot Tips: Master Short Game

The lob shot is a high, soft-landing golf shot that’s perfect for clearing obstacles like bunkers or water hazards and landing close to the pin. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to master it:

• When to Use It: Ideal for tight pin positions, steep elevation changes, or when you have little green to work with.
• Choosing the Right Club: Use a 58-60 degree wedge for height and spin. Adjust the clubface for more or less loft as needed.
• Proper Setup: Place the ball slightly ahead of center in your stance, open the clubface, and keep 60% of your weight on your front foot.
• Swing Technique: Smooth, controlled swings with natural wrist hinge. Keep hands leading at impact and maintain steady acceleration.
• Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t push the shaft too far forward or decelerate during impact. Maintain a smooth tempo.
• Practice Drills: Work on different distances (5-30 yards) and lies to improve control and confidence.
• Advanced Moves: Adjust for firm greens, tight lies, or deep rough by tweaking weight distribution and landing spots.

Pro Tip: Always practice lob shots before using them in real play. Start simple and build up to challenging scenarios.

For more tips, drills, and advanced techniques, check out the full guide!

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What is a Lob Shot and When to Use It

A lob shot is like throwing a ball straight up in the air – it goes high and comes down soft. It’s a specialized golf shot where you use a lofted wedge to send the ball on a steep upward path, making it stop quickly when it lands.

Think of it as your "get out of trouble" card. When you need to pop the ball up and over something in your way, and you don’t want it rolling far after landing, the lob shot is your best friend.

Here’s what makes it work:

• The clubface is slightly open
• The ball goes almost straight up
• It lands soft with minimal roll
• You need smooth tempo (not harder hitting)

When should you pull this shot out of your bag? Here are the perfect moments:

• You’re facing a tucked pin position and need the ball to stop fast
• There’s a big elevation change and you need to go up
• You need to clear the lip of a bunker with room to spare
• You’ve got very little green to work with and can’t risk the ball rolling out

Pro tip: Don’t try this shot without practice first. It’s like learning to ride a bike – you need to build muscle memory through repetition. Start with basic shots and gradually work up to tougher scenarios. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when you need this shot on the course.

How to Choose the Right Club

Want to hit perfect lob shots that land softly on the green? It all starts with picking the right club and setting it up correctly. Here’s what you need to know.

Picking a Lofted Wedge

Most golfers find a 60-degree wedge works best for lob shots. It gives you the height you need without being too hard to control. If you need to hit the ball EXTRA high (like over a tree), try a 64-degree wedge – just know it takes more practice to use well.

Want to keep the ball a bit lower? A 56-degree sand wedge might be your best bet. It’ll give you more control and help you fight the wind better.

Adjusting the Clubface

Here’s a pro tip: you can make any wedge more effective by adjusting how open the clubface is:

• Slightly open: Perfect for standard lob shots when you need a bit more height
• Very open: Use this when you need to clear something tall in your way
• Square: Best for keeping the ball lower, especially in windy conditions

For right-handed players: point your feet a little left of the target when you open the clubface. And remember to keep the shaft neutral or tilted slightly back at setup – this helps maintain the club’s natural loft.

Setting Up and Using Proper Technique

Let’s dive into how to nail those lob shots with the right setup and swing mechanics.

Stance and Ball Placement

Here’s the key to a solid foundation: Put about 60% of your weight on your front foot. This helps you hit down on the ball cleanly.

For ball placement, think "front and center" – position it just ahead of center in your stance, closer to your lead foot. If you’re right-handed, point your feet slightly left of the target, but keep that clubface aimed right at it. This open stance helps you swing steeper, giving you that high-flying lob shot you’re after.

Weight Distribution and Swing Motion

The secret to a good lob shot? Keep that weight on your front foot – don’t let it shift around during your swing. Take it back smooth and controlled, let your wrists hinge naturally, and swing through with your hands leading the way.

Here’s what makes a great lob shot:

• Keep your backswing length in sync with how far you want the ball to go
• Let those wrists hinge on their own in the backswing
• Your hands should lead the clubhead at impact
• Move through the ball with a steady acceleration

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How to Avoid Common Mistakes

Typical Lob Shot Errors

Want to nail your lob shots? Let’s talk about what NOT to do first.

Here’s a big one: pushing the shaft too far forward. This kills the club’s loft and keeps your ball from getting the height you need. Instead, point the handle toward your body’s center or slightly back – that’s how you’ll get the ball up in the air.

Another classic mistake? Slowing down during impact. It’s like hitting the brakes right when you need to speed up. Keep your swing moving smoothly through the ball. And speaking of smooth – lots of players struggle with jerky swings. Think of your swing as a pendulum: steady and even.

Balancing Risk and Reward

Before you pull out your wedge for a fancy lob shot, ask yourself: "Is this really my best play?"

Here’s a quick guide to smart shot selection:

Want to get better? Practice these shots from different spots and surfaces. It’ll help you know when to go for the lob shot – and when to play it safe. Work on your chips and pitches too. Mix up your shots by changing your backswing length and speed. When pressure hits, you’ll be glad you put in the practice time.

Practice Drills for Better Lob Shots

Want to nail those tricky lob shots? Let’s break down some practical drills that’ll help you master this shot on the course.

The key is practicing from different spots around the green – just like you’d face during a real round. Here’s how to structure your practice:

Short Game Distance Zones

• 5-10 yards: Focus on soft touch and control
• 10-20 yards: Work on height and spin
• 20-30 yards: Perfect your distance control

For the best results, keep your grip light – about 4 out of 10 on the pressure scale. This helps the club flow smoothly through impact. Match your swing arc to the shot distance: use a 7-to-5 o’clock motion for close shots, and extend to 8-to-4 o’clock for longer ones.

Here’s a pro tip: Put the ball forward in your stance and open the clubface slightly. This combo helps you get the height you need.

To get a feel for spin, try this: Pick a target and hit shots using the same swing length but different speeds. You’ll start to see how speed changes the ball’s spin and flight path.

"The key to mastering lob shots is dedicating time to practicing around the green, focusing on different distances and lies to simulate on-course conditions", explains Chris Jenkins from Chris Jenkins Golf Academy.

Once these basics feel natural, you’ll be ready to tackle more complex shots and situations.

Advanced Tips for Improving Lob Shots

Want to nail those tricky lob shots? A 58-60 degree wedge is your best friend here – it gives you just the right mix of height and spin. Let’s look at some pro-level moves that’ll help you handle those tough spots near the green.

Choosing a Landing Spot

Here’s a secret most golfers miss: don’t aim straight at the hole. Instead, pick a specific landing area that gives your ball the best path to the target. Look for a flat spot about 1-2 feet past any obstacles – that’s your sweet spot.

Playing on firm greens? Land the ball 5-10 feet before the hole – it’ll roll out nicely. On soft greens, you can be more aggressive and land it closer since the ball won’t travel as far.

Adjusting for Different Lies

The ground beneath your ball changes everything. Here’s how to handle what you find:

Tight Lies: Put about 60% of your weight on your front foot. Don’t try to force the ball up – let your club’s loft handle that job.

Deep Rough: Choke down on your grip for better control. The grass can twist your clubface, so keep that club moving through impact. No stopping!

"The key to mastering lob shots from different lies is maintaining a consistent tempo while adjusting your weight distribution. Keep 60% of your weight on your front foot and focus on a descending strike for optimal contact."

The more you practice these moves, the more confident you’ll feel when you need to hit that perfect lob shot.

Conclusion

Want to take your short game to the next level? The lob shot is your ticket there. Here’s what you need to remember: grab a 58-60 degree wedge and get your weight distribution right.

The basics are simple but crucial. Put the ball forward in your stance, open that clubface, and keep your weight where it needs to be. Then comes the fun part – playing with your backswing length and swing speed to get just the right height and spin.

"Practice varying the trajectory of your lob shots by adjusting the length of your backswing and the speed of your swing. This will help you develop a feel for controlling the height and spin of the ball."

But here’s the thing: lob shots aren’t always your best bet. They’re like a fancy sports car – powerful but not for every situation. The key? Practice different lies and scenarios you’ll face on the course. Focus on your swing tempo and make clean contact with the ball every time.

Ready to step up your game? Start working these tips into your practice sessions. And if you’re hungry for more short game wisdom, head over to 36 Holes – Golf (https://36holes.com) – they’ve got tons of great golf tips waiting for you.