Tip From the Archives

Half Wedge Shot

Problem

You are at a distance that is in between two of your wedges.

Cure

Trying to add on extra power with the shorter club could leave you with a more difficult lie than you started with. Because it might be difficult for you to reduce the power of your swing using the longer club, focus instead on shortening the swing length with it.

Therapy

Place the ball in the center of your stance. Place about 60 percent of your body weight on your forward leg. Set your hands slightly ahead of the ball. As you swing, only take your arms back until the club is parallel to the ground and match this length for your follow through. Feel free to take a couple of practice swings, until this abbreviated swing feels natural to you.

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3 votes

 
Jim O\'Reilly | last year, at the end of June

This shot is difficult, and most players seem to "chunk" or totally flatten the shot. I believe the key to this shot is swinging with the arms and not the wrists. Less movement in the wrists will minimize the likelihood of scooping and or chunking the ball.

Mark 1 | last year, at the end of June

I have terrible problems with this distance of wedge shot. I agree that to much wrist in the swing is deadly. I have been practising to try and stop this happening, but it's not easy. In fact my confidence with this shot is so low I've resorted to laying up further back off the tee to leave myself as full wedge into the green. I play off 9 at the moment but generally leave at least 3 to 4 shots out there because of this particular problem shot.

Michael Henry | last year, at the end of June

Mark 1 I have begun to harrass the pin and the area around it like never before. The secret is not hurrying the shot at all, but slow backswing and an accelerating strike through the ball. ie on the back swing to half way back (thumbs pointing up to the sky) and thru to the same position (thumbs up at the sky). I used to use a 9iron at 100yards.Now with a PW (Ping G2 Orange spot for a shorty)and my lower hand (L) at the bottom of the grip almost on the steel of the shaft. I can swing as hard as I like. The one thing I am doing different is a bit like putting, NO PEEKING!! until you have counted "one thousand" after the strike before you move your head to follow the ball.Believe me you will have oodles of time to watch the high flying mortar round like shot nailing the pin consistently. The confidence it gives you is breathtaking. I love wedge shots now, bought a LW and at 75yards in it is deadly all due to having the courage not to PEEK!

Brian | last year, at the end of June

This is a great tool to have in your bag. In fact I have 4 swings with my wedge. I bring the club to my knees, my waist, my shoulders, or full backswing. However, like Michael said, the key is NO PEEKING!



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