Full Sand Wedge

[TourSpoon]

Lately, I have been laying up to the 115-125 yard range so that I can hit a 3/4 - full pitching wedge. I have no problem hitting these shots with my blade pw and love hitting the low flying knock-down from the 105-115 range (hit this one twice the other day to 10-15 feet). My problem is that at the 85-105 range I am having an issue with my 54 degree sand wedge (less issues with the 60 from 70-85). I know that this is mostly mental but it is really bugging me as I am starting to lose confidence with this club. I do all those things that I can think of...slightly open, 2 balls right of center, hands slightly ahead, weight favors the left side, etc. I went to the range yesterday and improved when I loosened the stranglehold I had on the grip and relaxed my arms. I am thinking that the tension was taking the swing out of my move and probably made it more of a lift, through and lift. Oh, and yes, I realize that the 100 yard SW is not a 100% swing, but more like 85% with solid contact being key.


What are some thoughts or tips that you use when you need to hit the 100 yard SW money shot?

[saevel25]

Learn to hit your PW lighter. I found that i am way more accurate hitting a lower softer pitching wedge than a full sandwege.

[jamo]

I'm sort of in the same boat as the OP. Last year shots from 85-125 were my specialty, this year I just feel lost. I am making good contact but just not getting the distance right, and I find myself over a lit of greens.

[TourSpoon]

I'm sort of in the same boat as the OP. Last year shots from 85-125 were my specialty, this year I just feel lost. I am making good contact but just not getting the distance right, and I find myself over a lit of greens.

Yes, this is what I am talking about except that it is mostly the 85-105 yard range. I know that it is mental more than anything.

[TN94z]

Lately, I have been laying up to the 115-125 yard range so that I can hit a 3/4 - full pitching wedge. I have no problem hitting these shots with my blade pw and love hitting the low flying knock-down from the 105-115 range (hit this one twice the other day to 10-15 feet). My problem is that at the 85-105 range I am having an issue with my 54 degree sand wedge (less issues with the 60 from 70-85). I know that this is mostly mental but it is really bugging me as I am starting to lose confidence with this club. I do all those things that I can think of...slightly open, 2 balls right of center, hands slightly ahead, weight favors the left side, etc. I went to the range yesterday and improved when I loosened the stranglehold I had on the grip and relaxed my arms. I am thinking that the tension was taking the swing out of my move and probably made it more of a lift, through and lift. Oh, and yes, I realize that the 100 yard SW is not a 100% swing, but more like 85% with solid contact being key.

I used to have this same issue with my 56* and I found that I had started doing 2 things out of the ordinary. The first was that I got into a groove of swinging the club too aggressively. I smoothed that out and started to see much better contact and distance control. The second thing I noticed was that my swing with the shorter irons got a little flat for whatever reason. All I had to do there was concentrate on getting a little steeper and it worked out. I am sure you have thought about these but I feel very confident in my 56* after those things. One more thing I did was making sure that I got a full chest turn. I had slowly gotten away from a full chest turn and that hindered my distance.

[TourSpoon]

I used to have this same issue with my 56* and I found that I had started doing 2 things out of the ordinary. The first was that I got into a groove of swinging the club too aggressively. I smoothed that out and started to see much better contact and distance control. The second thing I noticed was that my swing with the shorter irons got a little flat for whatever reason. All I had to do there was concentrate on getting a little steeper and it worked out. I am sure you have thought about these but I feel very confident in my 56* after those things.

Thanks...great points.

[JML22]

i'd probaly rather hit back to 85-100 than hit from 30-50 lol

[Varsity_Golf]

Learn to hit your PW lighter. I found that i am way more accurate hitting a lower softer pitching wedge than a full sandwege.

x2. I CAN hit my sandwedge 100 yds, but I don't like the feel, and know that a half-three quarters swing will put me in a good place for that distance.

[tterrag]

Lately, I have been laying up to the 115-125 yard range so that I can hit a 3/4 - full pitching wedge. I have no problem hitting these shots with my blade pw and love hitting the low flying knock-down from the 105-115 range (hit this one twice the other day to 10-15 feet). My problem is that at the 85-105 range I am having an issue with my 54 degree sand wedge (less issues with the 60 from 70-85). I know that this is mostly mental but it is really bugging me as I am starting to lose confidence with this club. I do all those things that I can think of...slightly open, 2 balls right of center, hands slightly ahead, weight favors the left side, etc. I went to the range yesterday and improved when I loosened the stranglehold I had on the grip and relaxed my arms. I am thinking that the tension was taking the swing out of my move and probably made it more of a lift, through and lift. Oh, and yes, I realize that the 100 yard SW is not a 100% swing, but more like 85% with solid contact being key.

Could you tell us what your miss is? Fat, thin, blocked, etc. When you say two balls back of middle, I personally think that may be too far back. Also, I go 60% left, 40% right when referring to weight distribution on shots from 60 yards and in, not 105-115. You may have too much weight on your front leg. Since you are trying to hit precise, smoother shots with your wedge, you will definitely need to have a relaxed grip pressure.

[TourSpoon]

Good questions...it is mainly getting the distance. The misses would be short or short right with what appears to be decent contact (not fat nor thin). Two balls meaning I would be playing the second ball which could be a bit too much. Now that I think of the weight, it is closer to 50/50 on the longer shots. Yesterday I was hitting it at the range @ 98 yds and I had the ball back in the stance. The not turning (see TN94Z's post) could be the culprit due to tension and lack of confidence.

[tterrag]

Make sure you keep your spine angle through impact. You may be looking up and flaring your wedges.

[TourSpoon]

Another good suggestion. It could be something as simple as that...coming out of the shot eager to see the results. Thanks.

[danieldrieberg]

wedge play has a lot of options----Coming out of a shot is the same as the soft arm high pitch. The fanned open high finish will result in a high shot, with less spin.
Or you can finish low and crisp and results will be a low trajectory shot with some stopping power. A low finish turned over will be a runner.

When at the range try different techniques. It's kinda fun and useful on the course. My round today I pulled a 60* for a 50 yard shot. The green was sloping to me.
With the ball slightly back and some extra forward shaft lean in the shot I hit the ball crisply. Result was a ball trajectory that was no more 10-12 feet high but bounced once and stopped dead. You can shoot right at the pin in this situation. A little practice and the shot is in my bag. Had another 50 yard shot where there was a pond between the ball and a short sided pin. This shot was a dead (soft arm) 60 * wedge with a high open finish. Results were a high floater that plops down.

A little practice and imagination will result in a wedge game that will be a source of fun rather than stress. What's really neat is if you can find a suitable area and a shag bag this practice can be free. Just your time invested.

[double_j]

I love the 3/4 shot as well - my money makers tend to be the 75 yard sand wedge, the 95 yard gap, or the 110 yard pitching wedge. When I miss the way you're describing it generally means that I'm getting too 'armsy' with the swing (almost like I was taking it too casually).

Back of the stance is fine (helps promote a lower trajectory with nice spin for me) - just make sure that you come through it at impact. Keep the big muscles involved, use the length of your backswing to control distance, and rifle down and through the ball to ensure a nice crisp contact (nothing feels better than taking a clean divot on a 50 yard punch). And stay down!

[TourSpoon]

Alright, keep it coming. Good discussion so far.

[eaglecc]

I had a problem with my wedge shots this year as well. I caught up with a pro on a course, when I explained to him what was going on he told me to pull a wedge out of my bag and take a practice swing. He said right away the problem was in my back swing, it was way too quick. I slowed down my back swing and I am hitting wedge shots better than ever.

[TourSpoon]

Played today and hit 2 100 yard shots stiff...just stayed relaxed and made a full swing at 85%. Now gotta work on that 75 yard shot...always something!

[MMouse]

I play the ball back in my stance on my wedges. I've found that this has gotten rid of any thin shots. I've hit some a little fatter than I would like, but my wedges usually bail me out and make it a half decent shot.
I feel as though I can attack the ball more aggressively with the ball back in my stance.