Hitting gap between wedges

[Alohaed]

First off, I would like to thank all your forum members for your invaluable input. I asked about trying different irons,some players, some GI. Then also reading many similar threads and your inputs. So with my handicap, I will stick it out another year with my 1999 TM Supersteel irons, take a lesson or two, learn the Stack and Tilt and practice my ass off. Then when I get better, I will have a better idea of which irons are suited best for me. Why spend over a grand on irons and wedges when, until I improve, they will not help my game much. Anyway, it also makes no sense buying wedges until I know what irons I will have. SO..... I have my P wedge at 45* and then my 56* sand wedge, leaving me a huge gap. What is the best way to make this up with the P? Choke down, shorten my backswing, other? Also, since my irons are about 1" to 1.25" too short, and my proshop being expensive, wanting $8.50 each to extend, along with the $7.50+ each for the grips, I really don't want to spend $150 total with tax to lengthen them. Should I widen my stance? Will the S&T help any? The reason I ask, is that even though many times I top the ball, it is when I lift my head and stand up during my swing. Many other times I hit some nice sweet shots.

[Balldoc]

Hi Eddie,

Strongly recommend that you get a 50 or 52 degree gap wedge. You can probably get a used one for about $50. Since you have a 3 hybrid, you can remove the 3 iron from your bag to make room for your new wedge. Good luck.

Art

[linkin22luke]

hey, i had the exact same problem as you about a year ago. What i did was practice with my p wedge over and over and over. Eventually you begin to get familiar with what the club can and can not do, i eventually became pretty good with it, until it was on of the strongest parts of my game, all it takes is a lot of practice. I have never been a fan of the gap wedge, i like the feel of the p wedge better.

[Robato]

Hi Eddie,

I think that that gap between your P and Sand wedge is too big to compensate effectively.
You could do it by gripping down, etc., but a gap wedge would fix your problem perfectly.
A 52 would not only make it easier to get distances between your P and SW clubs,
but also fit in perfectly when you get a new iron set,
since all iron sets are gonna leave you with around the same gap,
unless you buy a set with an A wedge.

If you wanna make it all up with the P,
you could do it, yeah.
In my setup I have a lot of options with my PW.
I grip down to take about 10 yards off the full distance.
I use a softer full swing that lands and rolls about 20 yards shorter than full too.
Any shorter, and I'm right at the distance for my full SW.
So it works!

Shortening you backswing could also work.
I recommend trying a 9 o'clock swing,
where your arm would be parallel with the ground,
and see it that gives you another dependable distance you can use.

Seems like your clubs are fine for now as long as you keep your head down.
Just remember to see the ball as it is hit,
and you are good to go!

[canes113]

For sure a 52* gap wedge will help.... and forget about the Stack & Tilt. You don't see PGA pro's winning with that swing.

[danieldrieberg]

Before you get a gap wedge practice distance control with your 2 wedges. 1/2 swings, 3/4 swings, keeping the pace of the swing crisp. Gripping down will also help distance control. You can move the ball back in your stance with the sw and approximate the gap wedge's loft.

Pick targets out on range or your practice areas and hit balls to that target with both your wedges. Hit to one target for a while then add or subtract 25 yards to another target. You will know you've got it when you can go from target to target with either wedge and get reasonably close.

After this process you will be ready for a gap wedge. And will be breaking 85 or lower on a regular basis.

The same can be done with chipping with your wedges. Practice controlling trajectory and spin of the chip by moving the ball back and forth in your stance.


All of this practice will give you the tools to create shots when you go to a 3 or 4 wedge system.

GOOD LUCK

[ks8829]

You could go out a buy a wedge to fill in the gap between clubs or you cold improve your overall game by working with what you have. Learning to take distance off each club will be invaluable playing into the wind and keeping the trajectory low. I have taken distance off in the following ways:

1) choke up and take my regular swing
2) shorten my backswing
3) swing slower
4) open the club face and aim slightly left of the target
5) shorten my follow through

[JetFan1983]

Definitely agree with the others about getting a GW. I have the same problem as you right now and I plan on purchasing one sometime at the end of the month.

That said, there's definitely a time and a place to be using and practicing a choked down PW with a shorter backswing for those in between shots. And practicing a nuked SW.