Improving Wedge Play

**gas_can** · February 11, 2005

I'm a little dissapointed with my wedge play, and I really want to sharpen my accuracy and be able to attack some flags. It's not horrendous now, but I'd like to be within 10 feet any time I'm 50-120 yards from the pin.

My main idea for practice is starting to play a par-3 chip and pitch course twice a month where I've got lots of 100-50 yard par-3's mixed in. Has anyone play these courses? Think it's worth it? Have any other tips for wedge accuracy?

***iacas*** · February 11, 2005

What's off? Distance, direction, or both?

I've seen dramatic improvements since I've taken on the Dave Pelz method. 7:30 (which I visualize as shaft straight back, horizontal to the ground), 9:00 (shaft straight up in the air), 10:30 (no real "position" here - just halfway-ish between 9:00 and 12:00, my full swing), and then the full swing.

So three wedges (I don't want a gap wedge - I just open my PW) and 4 yardages apiece gets me 12 yardages. If I want a 70-yard shot, that's a 9:00 PW.

For in between shots, I choose the trajectory I want first, then the appropriate wedge.

If direction is off, well, I don't know how to help ya.

Other people use the "choke-down" method - gripping down an inch takes about 10 yards off, or so I've heard. I like to keep the grip size the same except for chips around the greens, so I didn't go with this method.

That doesn't really answer your question: whether a par-3 course helps. I've heard that it can and does, but I haven't visited one recently.

**gas_can** · February 11, 2005

What's off? Distance, direction, or both?

Yeah, it's direction unfortunately. I think I may just have a case of the pulls cause everything's ending up pin high but well left of where I want it. Hopefully it's not a swing plane thing, cause I'm killing every other club in my bag. Looks like I may need to go see my pro soon to diagnose what's going on.

I also use a Pelzish method, even though I didn't learn it from him. the only difference I have is my 9:00 to 3:00 swing can either leave my wrists cocked (club points straight up) or straight to control spin. I don't release my wrists much through impact with my wedges (or any other club in my bag for that matter) to try and maximize spin, perhaps I should try that . . . but I also don't want to change my other swings. Golf is such a fickle game.

***iacas*** · February 11, 2005

Ball position still good with the wedges? Sometimes if I start pulling, I'll check ball position (an inch forward of center) and I'll weaken my grip just a little.

**gas_can** · February 11, 2005

That's definately a possibility, I'll have to check it later today. I usually do weaken my grip a touch the closer I get to the green, but I'll check that too. Thanks for the tips.

**flap** · February 12, 2005

I take my shag bag to a local ball field and put the garbage can on the pitchers mound then pace off the distance that I want to practice at in the outfield and wedge away till my hearts content.

The master · February 12, 2005

Best advice I can give is never siwng a wedge more than 85%.

Also work on hitting lower wedge shots all the best wedge players hit low wedge shots they are easier to control and you should get better direction. If you hit them to high they are a lot harder to control and wind wil affect them more.

**Ben** · February 15, 2005

I've found that by focusing on keeping my right elbow tucked close to my torso throughout the swing helps keep my ball striking quite consistent. Like The master says, a controlled right arm along with a nice smooth (85%, or less) swing is what I try to execute each time I hit a SW.

**mmoan2** · August 20, 2012

What about Pelz's concept of a "dead hands finesse" swing? What about almost never playing the ball forward in the stance to avoid fat shots? I totally agree with the 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 concept, but there's much more to the Short Game Bible than that. I've heard several people object to the two Pelz mantras I mentioned. Any comments on them?

**Mr. Desmond** · August 20, 2012

You might want to have more realistic goals ... " I'd like to be within 10 feet any time I'm 50-120 yards from the pin."

Touring Professionals are not able to produce that result.

Be realistic, or don't be hard on yourself when you're not achieving that goal.

**Jakester23** · August 20, 2012

Mr Desmond what would you say is a realistic goal for us weekend hackers? I'd like to hit about 1 in 3 other wedge shot within 15 feet obviously it depends on conditions lie,wind, distance ect.. For me my gap wedge is my best club and if I'm sitting between 90-110 I expect to be putting and somewhere within 15 feet but I think part of that is that I'm very confident in that club.

**Jeffrey71** · August 20, 2012

I usually have trouble judging the distance.

**Beachcomber** · August 20, 2012

Originally Posted by iacas

What's off? Distance, direction, or both?

I've seen dramatic improvements since I've taken on the Dave Pelz method. 7:30 (which I visualize as shaft straight back, horizontal to the ground), 9:00 (shaft straight up in the air), 10:30 (no real "position" here - just halfway-ish between 9:00 and 12:00, my full swing), and then the full swing.

So three wedges (I don't want a gap wedge - I just open my PW) and 4 yardages apiece gets me 12 yardages. If I want a 70-yard shot, that's a 9:00 PW.

For in between shots, I choose the trajectory I want first, then the appropriate wedge.

If direction is off, well, I don't know how to help ya.

Other people use the "choke-down" method - gripping down an inch takes about 10 yards off, or so I've heard. I like to keep the grip size the same except for chips around the greens, so I didn't go with this method.

That doesn't really answer your question: whether a par-3 course helps. I've heard that it can and does, but I haven't visited one recently.

Is there a book that you can direct me to that details this method?

**mmoan2** · August 21, 2012

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Is there a book that you can direct me to that details this method?

Read "Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible." It's a very scientific approach to short game scoring, including the 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 theory. Pelz recommends using 4 wedges - a PW, SW, LW, and XW (64 degree) and makes a good case for doing so. It promotes what Pelz calls a "dead hands finesse swing" for short game shots, but I've found it interesting that Phil Mickelson, who has worked with Pelz for years and is a master short game player, refutes many of Pelz's conclusions. The book was originally published in 1999, but researched earlier than that (Pelz talks about how Tiger Woods is an inferior short game player - ha!). Since then, I wonder if he has changed his tune a bit on some ideas. If you like lots of theory to back up an instructor's conclusions, this book is for you, however, and it is worth the time. I reference it often.

***iacas*** · August 21, 2012

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Is there a book that you can direct me to that details this method?

The post is seven years old. You can get the book, but basically:

1) Take all of your wedges to a course or field or something.

2) Hit 10 balls with your first wedge swinging back to whatever you want to call 1/4 position.

3) Hit 10 balls with the same wedge going to half.

4) Hit 10 going back to 3/4.

5) Hit 10 with a full swing (skip this for the lob wedge perhaps).

6) Write down the distances they carry.

7) Repeat for other wedges.

That's it.

**Beachcomber** · August 21, 2012

Originally Posted by iacas

The post is seven years old. You can get the book, but basically:

1) Take all of your wedges to a course or field or something.

2) Hit 10 balls with your first wedge swinging back to whatever you want to call 1/4 position.

3) Hit 10 balls with the same wedge going to half.

4) Hit 10 going back to 3/4.

5) Hit 10 with a full swing (skip this for the lob wedge perhaps).

6) Write down the distances they carry.

7) Repeat for other wedges.

That's it.

Thanks, I'll try this.

1/4 swing - is that like A2?

1/2 swing - is that like A3?

3/4 swing - is somewhere between A3 and A4?

Also - for the swings... At address - just standard stock shot setup and address?

***iacas*** · August 21, 2012

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Thanks, I'll try this.

1/4 swing - is that like A2?

1/2 swing - is that like A3?

3/4 swing - is somewhere between A3 and A4?

Also - for the swings... At address - just standard stock shot setup and address?

Yes to setup.

A3 is more like 3/4, so A2.5 (arm and shaft at almost the same angle to vertical) is roughly 1/2. For me, anyway. Come up with your own positions that way you'll be comfortable and will stick with them.

**Beachcomber** · August 21, 2012

Originally Posted by iacas

Yes to setup.

A3 is more like 3/4, so A2.5 (arm and shaft at almost the same angle to vertical) is roughly 1/2. For me, anyway. Come up with your own positions that way you'll be comfortable and will stick with them.

Cool, thanks!

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