How to hit the wedge

[bobmac]

Following on from a previous thread, I thought I would try and help out a few who are having difficulties from under 100 yards.
This is what we call the scoring zone.
If you watch the top pros, they are all very good from this range because they practice it. But what and how to practice?

Ok, starting from the ground up..........

The heals should be 3-5 inches apart, left foot turned out slightly (right handers)
Ball in the centre of the stance or perhaps 1 ball back in your stance for a low shot.
Weight should be 80-20 on your front foot.
Hold the club at the bottom of the grip.
Keep the lower half of the body quiet through the swing. Not still, but not swaying all over the place.
Think of this shot as mostly wrists, arms and shoulders, with your lower half just reacting to the length of swing.
Try and keep weight transfer down to a minimum
The length of the backswing will depend on the length of the shot.

Now comes the easy bit.

Take a divot after the ball
Take a divot after the ball
Take a divot after the ball
Take a divot after the ball
Take a divot after the ball
Take a divot after the ball
Take a divot after the ball

If you imagine there is a ball about a foot behind your target ball and you have to swing on a steep angle to miss it, you will take a small divot after the ball. This helps the ball into the air. Scooping not allowed !!!
If you get the chance to practice this, use a headcover a foot behind the ball until you get the feeling of hitting DOWN on the ball.

Lastly, don't quit on it.
Dont have a full backswing and then a 3 inch follow through.
Whatever length your backswing is, make your follow through a bit longer.

By simply using this technique, the ball will go different distances with different lengths of swing.
Try this the next time you're out practicing........
Take you PW and hold it at the bottom of the grip. Swing back so your left arm (right handers)is horizontal with the ground and the shaft pointing at the sky. Now hit down on the ball and finish up with the club shaft once again pointing at the sky and the right arm just passed horizontal.
Hit 10-12 balls and pace out the average distance.
This will give you a standard pitch distance you can shorten or lengthen to suit the shot required. it should be between 40 and 60 yds depending on the speed of your swing.
HTH

P.s.this technique can be used with all of your scoring clubs, not just the wedge

 

[DCB]

Thanks for posting that Bob.

 

[bobmac]

Thanks for posting that Bob.

You're welcome.
Hope it helps

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'll give that a go later on and report back on my new improved technique (or not)

 

[Herbie]

I can positively concur, that when I do this it works exactly as Bob says.........its doing it consistantly right thats the bitch!

 

[drawboy]

Cheers bob, sounds simple, as I have the week off work (yesssss!)I will get out on the practice ground and try that.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

OK

I'm not sure if a) I misconstrued the type of shot or b) I'm just a chopper (probably a little of a and a lot of b) but I wanted to try and hit those fiddly little pitch shots which aren't quite full ones (with a 52 and 58 degree wedge swinging to about waist high)

I took Bobs advice and put my hybrid headcover down about a foot behind the ball, gripped down the club and had my weight forward. I took the club back much steeper than normal and came down missing the cover. The ball popped up pretty well and seemed to stop very quickly (on an artificial green). However my problem is that I seemed to take pretty big and deep divots. I was following through well and so they weren't hit heavy and like I say came out pretty high and consistantly. What am I doing wrong other than perhaps taking away and hitting down too steeply.

 

[Basher]

I've been using the technique described by Bob for a while now. I can also conclude that it does work!

I do have a problem however.

My backswing is almost text book perfect, no problems there. My downswing is good too. When it comes to the ball strike and follow through I find myself "flipping" at the ball.

Bob, any tips to maintain a good follow through preventing the handsy flipping!

 

[TWM]

Thanks Bob,

All my short iron shots are crap at the moment. I used to be pretty good with these but it looks like I am quitting all the time. I will try to practice as you suggested.

 

[Hendy]

Cheers for that Bob, looks to be some sound advise indeed..

 

[ColinR]

Bob, I have been hitting wedges this way, but find that 3-5 inches of distance between my heels is not enough. I tend to be more comfortable with about 10-12inches. Focusing on taking a divot after the ball really helps me understand the plane I need to come in at, it also helps avoid 'thins'.

Good stuff, cheers.

 

[bobmac]

Homer, you may have got too steep or have the ball a bit too far back in your stance. Try just hitting the shot only holding the club with your left hand.
Is the greenkeeper giving you grief or HID for the divots?

Colin, if you feel more comfortable with the wider stance, then go for it, especially on the longer pitches.
If no one's around try practicing the short pitches with your legs crossed. That improves your balance over the ball

 

[mattdeeks]

Thanks Bob, my stance maybe a little to wide at the moment so I'll give it with a narrower stance.

 

[janmolby]

Bobmac, any chance you could do a series of these i.e How to putt, how to chip & run, how to drive without slicing/hooking etc. & maybe one of the mods might sticky them so it would stop us high handicappers from asking the same questions over & over.

 

[bobmac]

I could do, but there are loads of sites on here already by people alot more qualified than me where you can find free tips.
Besides, I dont want to step on any Top 25 Coache's toes

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Even though said top 25's have been extremely quiet lately

 

[tonecapone]

Cheers Bob another top tip,The cheque is in the post