Knock it Stiff with Your Wedges

Knock it Stiff with Your Wedges

I have been coaching golf for ten years now and have not found many players that have practiced their wedges effectively and efficiently. This area of the game could be one of the easiest to improve in the shortest amount of time. To hit wedge shots effectively there is a little different technique involved versus the full swing, but after that it will take a few practice sessions and it will stay with you for a very long time.

Wedge Technique

When watching the technique of the best wedge players in the game one thing is noticeable. They all hold off their wedges. What I mean by this is that through impact and finish they have learned to release the club without releasing the face. To learn how to do this go to impact slowly with no ball and hold this position. Now let your body and arms work together to a ¾ finish without your right hand crossing over your left. You must however feel as though your left armpit stays connected to your body while you’re left elbow folds next to your side. You will know you did this correct if the shaft of your club points to the right. Any release of the toe will result in the club aiming to the left through the finish. What people don’t understand is that by “holding the club off” this will actually lower the flight of your golf ball because it will require more wrist angle or “lag” and will thus make it more easy to control the distance of your wedges.

Distance Control

To learn proper distance control it is essential that you go to a place to practice where you can set out either shafts, towels or head covers at ten yard increments. In other words you are basically trying to create a football field with targets set from about 40 – 100 yards. There are two basic methods to learn to control your wedges. The first method is by feeling as though your body is like a speedometer as in a car. If you turn your body at 50 mph then the ball will go 50 yards. Spend some time practicing this and you will be able to see how far the ball flies and you will learn the proper feel for these distances. The second method to control your wedges is to develop three checkpoints in your backswing. These do not have to be exact but you want to feel a half-swing, three-quarter, and a full backswing position. When you do this each checkpoint will cause the ball to fly a certain distance with each wedge. I personally carry 4 wedges and thus have developed great feel and consistency for twelve distances that I will most often have on the golf course. Make sure you practice this for a couple of weeks and you will also see your distance control with your wedges improve dramatically.

One of the easiest and quickest ways to see your scores lower is to learn how to effectively control your distance with your wedges. There is a simple technique change that will allow you to improve your technique, but with a little practice you will be able to knock it stiff with your wedges and watch your scores drop dramatically.

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11 Comments

james ryan Says:

I once was pretty good with a short game but now I can’t try a chip with my wedge without looking up as I hit the ball this is very frustrating and embarrising,I’ve practiced alot but also done this then also.I’ve tried to look just behind the ball as I hit the shot but still can’t keep my head down.can you please help,thankyou Jr.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Dave Says:

I just read your wedge shot article-it was good-and I am going to practice it,however on full shots I can’t hit it across the room. On that shot I do roll my wrist.What might be doing wrong. Thanks
February 17th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
curtis Says:

Hi C J
I lost the mussle in my arm that raises the arm stright up to my side. I can’t get
a good back swing due to not being able to raise the arm normely. Do you have any suggsestions on how to solve this problem?
Thanks
C J Thompson
February 17th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
CJ Says:

Curtis,
For issues like this I would refer to my partners who, one is a doctor, and the other one is a trainer. Damon is the trainer and he is TPI Certified. Let me know where you live or if you want you can look mytpi.com and try to find a trainer that may be able to assess your situation more carefully. Basically without that muscle, however you would need to make sure your flexible enough in the Thorasic spine area that would allow you to get the turn needed to finish your backswing and help support the club. Again this is a special situation and I want to make sure your health comes first so please look for a trainer or physical therapist for help.
Keep em long and straight,
cj
February 17th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
CJ Says:

Dave,
I need more information about your swing. During a normal full swing your wrists should release so I am not sure what to tell you. Send me some more info about ball flight, swing problems etc. thanks
Keep em long and straight,
cj
February 17th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
CJ Says:

James,
Be on the lookout for my short game DVD coming soon. Your head should not be still during a chip shot so don’t worry about it. First check your fundamentals like stance width, ball position, and setup. that alone plus the right foot back drill or the two club drill that I have written about will guarantee to help your chipping.
Keep em long and straight,
cj
February 17th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Valda Says:

Read James Ryans comment and it reminded me of an old golf joke. James, the best way to remember to keep your head down is to visualise two fish hooks attached to a piece of nylon. tie the nylon round your forehead and attach the two fish hooks to a fragile part of your anatomy just prior to taking your shot…you will learn very fast to keep your head in the appropriate place.
I really appreciate the ‘keep your left armpit…’ tip. Thank you. now I am looking forward to my next game and especially those wedge shots that I have dreaded.
February 17th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Orlando Says:

Often shank to the right from 30 to 50 yds. in. I feel like I am leaning forward with the swing of the Wedge. Could that be a reason> I hate to ask my playing prtner, since I get all sorts of advice. Thanks.
February 17th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
CJ Says:

Orlando,
I want you to first check your address position and make sure your the correct distance away from the ball. Remember its a fist and a thumb drill. I have this drill in my DVD and if you don’t have it then write back and I will explain it to you. If you are leaning in towards the ball that absolutely will cause a shank but try to find a reason. Again I think the reason will be poor setup. If your setup is good then try practicing with just lifting your toes off of the ground and try to have them touch the top part of your shoe throughout the swing. From this drill there is no way you can dive forward on the shot. HOpe that helps.
keep em long and straight,
cj
February 18th, 2010 at 2:00 am
Joseph Hughes Says:

C J,

I am having troubles with as it is called I think “casting outside the line on the downswing”, “going over at the top” or throwing the club outside the line on the down swing. I am right handed.

I would like to hit a nice gentle draw. So in addition to the Power Secrets video, I arranged a practice session with our club champion (a well known long hitter with a draw trajectory & top bloke) as I was lacking distance in my game and it was excellent – he had me hitting over a short target rather than to a target (helps to hit throught the shot) and for some practice shots putting a glove under my right armpit to stay connected (compacted my swing – less sway backwards & forwards – more of a coil motion) so the backswing was fine and I was hitting some nice draw shots however he indentified the issue above and suggested I hit out to the right and try to draw the ball back to target like the top spin shot in tennis (notice the direction of my cluster of divots to see if “in to out” or “out to in” swing path & lay a golf shaft inside & close to the ball which I will hit on the follow through if I have an out to in swing path). This problem still raises itself on the course particularly with my driver (maybe more noticeable because the increased distance magnifying the issue).
How can I correct this – some tips please!

Regards
Joe Hughes
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:52 pm
CJ Says:

Joseph,
I would like to think at this point that you have a really good idea of what you need to work on in your swing. It sounds like you haven’t worked on it enough to ingrain the habit. You must remember that it will take 29 days to break a habit and 21 days to create a habit. Every time you go to the course you probably are doing your old swing and thus regressing to your old swing. Make sure on the course you tuck your sleeve under your right arm pit and that is legal during play. Continue to work on the problems you have addressed and do not give up hope but continue to work hard at it for awhile. Keep me informed on your progress and i would be glad to give you some advice but you have enough for the time being but must be patient and diligent with your work ethic.
Keep em Long and Straight,
cj
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:54 pm