Controlling Wedge distances..help

[pinyo8]

My wedge game is where I am really losing my shots as I am having trouble controlling distances from 100 yards in. Instead of giving my self easier chances to shoot birdies, I tend to leave myself with longer birdie putts or even have to chip!

The way that I hit my shot has always been based on feel and not really the exact yardage. How do the top pros handle their shots? Do they calculate the exact yardage and have have already practiced swings that they know will go that distance?

I know its partly because I dont practice much but what kind of practice should I be doing? Is there something that I should worry about, e.g. backswing length, rhythm, etc?

Although I hit my PW quite far (135-140), I struggle to even get 100yards with my 56*SW. Should I get a stronger SW?

[LowPost42]

Re: Controlling Wedge distances..help

A couple of thoughts:

According to short game guru Dave Pelz, there are two types of players - method and feel.

Feel players are just that - they look at the distance, and take practice swings, feeling for the right one.

I follow the Dave Pelz method.

Assuming the body is a clock face, with your head 12:00 and your feet 6:00 (and instruction for a RH Golfer)

Arms to 7:30 and follow through will produce one distance.
Arms to 9:00 and follow through will produce another distance.
Arms to 10:30 and follow through will produce yet another distance.

The theory is that if you learn these distances with each of your wedges (and I'd be buying a gap/approach wedge, if I was you, to fill the gap between your PW and SW) then you'll have repeatable distances with repeatable swings.

The plus side is that you only have to learn your 3 arm positions, and it will translate across all you clubs. The downside is that you have to practice them enough to know what it looks like (or feels like) so it becomes repeatable.

For me, knowing that my 7:30 60º wedge is a 20 yard carry out of a clean lie is priceless information, especially when coupled with understanding how a ball will release after the pitch.

If you like the sound of the above, buy 'My Short Game Bible' by Dave Pelz. It's a bit of a read, but the information is golden.

[msklar92]

Re: Controlling Wedge distances..help

Agree with low post

On golf channel, Pelz showed the "scatter" of shots with a 3/4 wedge shot starting with high handicappers and working down to low handicappers. As expected, the scatter was much less with low handicappers. The big differnce in swing action was that high handicappers tend to take the club back to long with stiff wrists and a short follow through, whereas the low handicappers have a shorter back swing, more relaxed and more wrist cock and a long follow through. Although the back swing length varies, the follow through should be long and to the same height.

[leebev]

Re: Controlling Wedge distances..help

I also agree with low post. You need to reduce your backswing for the distance you require. In addition, the ball makes an immense amount of difference. I generally create a lot of spin and if I'm using a high quality ball, I need to aim for the pin. Thus, the roll will only be inches to a few feet. However, if you are using a distance hard casing ball, then you need to hit shorter allowing for the added roll.


Cheers.
Lee.