Hip incline and partial wedge shots

[WUTiger]

This is a comment from David_Wedzik in the

Straightening the Right Leg thread from October 2009:

2. The back leg straightening (straightening means becoming straighter and almost fully straight...never locked) allows the hips to turn the fullest and allows them to turn properly on an inclined plane (picture the circle pane of glass in Hogan's book for this purpose as in image). The back hip is rotating inward and upward to be on this inclined plane. The straightening of that back leg allows the hip to get its "rise". This entire action helps the arms get their depth (not width...depth) and keeps the circle motion intact.

We have warm sunshine

and no rain this week, so I have gotten to hit some golf balls outdoors. I want to get my distance down on my partial wedges, after jacking around with my wedge mix all last summer. Here is my question: For 7 O'clock and 9 O'clock wedge shots, should I have: * A full hip rotation and upward incline, or... * Only a partial hip rotation and incline? (...whatever comes naturally / don't consciously worry about it?)

[Zeph]

If you have a somewhat good hip rotation, I would not go that far into the matter. Do whatever the body does, it will move according to how far back you swing.

Try having the same tempo and rhythm, only changing how far back you take the club, not focusing on the hips. The hips turn as a result of the upper body turning, unless you restrict them of course, which you should not. This means that the hips will move as far as the upper body allows. The shorter backswing, the less shoulder turn and less hip turn.

[DavidFehertysBike]

It sounds like the advice there was on a full shot. I dont know if you want to be worrying too much about your legs with a simple pitch or chip. Like the post above says, i think tempo and rhythm is the key.

[sean_miller]

I focus (for a moment) on how much weight I want on my front foot. From that point on, the focus shifts to the ball and delivering the clubhead. On short shots, as long as they're not shifting or lifting off the ground, foot, leg, and body action just sort of happens.

[catfell]

For all my partial wedge shots, I like to open my left (front for righties) foot about 45 degrees to encourage my turn-through.

Also I keep more weight on my front foot, I'm not looking for power, but consistency. So by pre-shifting my weight, I'm reducing movement.

I really fix my gaze on the ball to concentrate making a good strike.

Try to feel the "weight" of the hip turn to get the distance I want during the practice swing.

Commit to accelerating through the ball.

Like the previous posters, tempo and rhythm are essential.