The Check & Release Shot

photo credit: thievingjoker     With firmer and faster greens, the importance of the  chip  shot has increased dramatically.   This very controllable  shot is played with a sand or lob wedge and it's called the “check and release.”   The reason why it's called check and release is because the ball comes out low with a lot of backspin.   When it hits the green, after a few bounces it rolls out to the hole.  

The set-up is critical.   Strike the ball firmly  and keep your weight on your lead foot with the shaft angled toward the target.    Your wrists must be firm  through the impact zone in order to trap the ball for backspin.  

Tour Pros seldom play what was once called,  ”the chip and run.”   They have replaced it with the  ”check and release.”