Wedge - reducing spin for a release shot

[iacas]

I believe it is bending the rules, but I don't believe it is cheating. Of course you can't apply a foreign substance to the face. But if this was cheating, then not cleaning your clubs would be cheating. I always keep my clubs clean, but nothing in the rules says you have to. And nothing, that I know of says you can't take a practice swing. I'll be the first to admit I am not a rules expert, and that taking uneccessary divots is bad etiquette, but against the rules...? I don't see it.

If you knowingly "apply" dirt to the clubhead for the purpose of reducing spin or whatever, that's breaking the rules, and thus cheating.

I've known guys (it mattered more when we had balata, etc.) who would swing their drivers through dew because they felt they'd get less sidespin (and less spin in general). Cheating. You know the reason you're doing it, and the intent (or "ill intent") is what matters. Now, back to topic please.

[powerfade]

I would disagree if the swing you describe is a dramatic departure from your regular swing. Better to take an extra club and take a shorter swing.

Interesting. The wedge game typically requires a different swing type. While a 'full' wedge may require the same swing as, say, your normal 7-iron, if you're trying to take some spin off, you'll have to use a different swing which does not have coil/torque (a.k.a. power). It's a touch shot.

Taking an extra club with a partial swing can work as well if the shot allows it. No argument there.

[krb]

Interesting. The wedge game typically requires a different swing type. While a 'full' wedge may require the same swing as, say, your normal 7-iron, if you're trying to take some spin off, you'll have to use a different swing which does not have coil/torque (a.k.a. power). It's a touch shot.

From 100 yards, I'm typically taking a regular swing. I may cut or draw the ball, move it back in my stance, shorten my swing etc. But I wouldn't consider any of those things to be a dramatic departure from my regular swing. That allows me to address the ball without taking the number of swing thoughts going through my head to double digits

[kc8kir]

You are basically asking how to hit a "pitch and run". Easy. Put that sand wedge away and take out a high iron (PW if you are really close). Make a short swing where the club comes to parallel with ground in the backswing, then finishes in a similar position on the forward swing. Rotate the club face open on the back swing, then close through the shot. The toe should point up in both the backswing and followthrough positions. The ball will pop off the ground for a short distance and run forward after landing. The club action is mostly in the wrists, with the body providing any power. Don't try to power the ball, just let the club swing. With practice, this shot is very accurate (with the exception of the effect of the ground on its roll quality). We use it a lot in Texas on the hard fairways when the green is open in the front.