Full Sand Wedge

[Adumb]

Within 100 yds I will hit a PW and focus on the wrist action. This helps me get a good shot whether I'm 80 yds from the green or 20. With an extremely lofted SW like mine (56 degrees), it's hard to really get the green to pick up the spin since it simply drops right down on top of it. My only exception would be when I'm between 60-70 yds out and I have to make it over a bunker or have a small landing area I'll hit SW full.

[hero12]

A full pw for me is about 115, full sw is around 100. I only hit my sw inside 90 because I never swing more than 3/4 with my sw or lw. The rest of my clubs are 1 inch longer and I feel out of control swinging wedges more than that. Dunno if it will work for you but I have ditched my sw for those shots and worked on the feel of my pw.

[WUTiger]

One thing to consider: What is the bounce on your 54* SW?

I have a 56.14 (see sig). Get some great full shots if the fairway is plush; but, if the grass is thin or very close, I'm reluctant to hit it.

Have been working on wedges as system recently; even made up a laminated card with average distances for PW, GW and SW for: quarter, half, three-quarter and full swing.

SW is high bounce and primarily my bunker club, although it works well for greenside lobs and other fluffy lies.

[RC]

The obvious thing is to choke down on the grip thereby reducing your swing speed without trying to change your swing. Practice one inch, two inch, and even down to the almost the shaft... with both your SW and Lob wedge to see what your distances are when doing this. I don't typically move the ball back in the stance unless it is to punch under something, but I often choke down on the club because I know what will take various yards off both my 60 and 54 wedges. But you need to practice these shots. Any time either of these clubs is a less than full swing, I choke down. This seems to automatically shorten the swing a little as well so I don't have to think about if I am at 1/2 or 3/4, which is sometimes tough.

[TN94z]

Within 100 yds I will hit a PW and focus on the wrist action. This helps me get a good shot whether I'm 80 yds from the green or 20. With an extremely lofted SW like mine (56 degrees), it's hard to really get the green to pick up the spin since it simply drops right down on top of it. My only exception would be when I'm between 60-70 yds out and I have to make it over a bunker or have a small landing area I'll hit SW full.

I have a 56* sand wedge and I have no problems with the greens picking up the spin. It will stop much faster than the choke down PW will. A smooth swing with my 56* is a 100 yard shot all day. These things here are very golfer specific. For instance, I am two clubs further than my cousin on distance except the wedges. He can smooth his lob in on 100 yard shots very consistently.

The obvious thing is to choke down on the grip thereby reducing your swing speed without trying to change your swing. Practice one inch, two inch, and even down to the almost the shaft... with both your SW and Lob wedge to see what your distances are when doing this. I don't typically move the ball back in the stance unless it is to punch under something, but I often choke down on the club because I know what will take various yards off both my 60 and 54 wedges. But you need to practice these shots. Any time either of these clubs is a less than full swing, I choke down. This seems to automatically shorten the swing a little as well so I don't have to think about if I am at 1/2 or 3/4, which is sometimes tough.

Very good advice. Knowing these distances will triple your shots with these clubs.

[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!

Ever since this thread, I have been working hard on the suggestions that you all gave me with some great results. Staying loose, swinging at 85%, and not popping up to watch the ball have all made a difference. I have also been leading the club through impact, gripping down, and hitting 3/4 and 1/2 swings to hit all these distances. Really working on these shots has made me a better player. See you guys do make a difference! Oh, and the 75 yarder is just a 3/4 LW...hit this one twice last Saturday to 15 feet or less both times.

[JayMc]

Do you spin the ball hard? I used to play a 55* SW w/out a GW. I could hit the SW 110yds, but it really spun hard. A few years ago I went to a 52* GW and a 56* SW. I can hit the SW 100yds, but the spin is crazy when I hit it full. I've gotten to where I don't hit the SW over 90yds b/c of the excess spin and just lay back on the GW for 100yd shots.

[CassinoNorth]

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.

Once or twice a week I'll head over to the little league field right near my house and hit from a few bucket of balls from behind the fence and hit to 2nd base, pitching mound, home plate (40 yds, 60 yds, 80 yds). It's awesome practice and gives you confidence beyond all belief.

[ohiolefty]

I try not to overthink these shots. I know I can hit them well. When I'm scuffling, I try and simplify my setup (I setup a little open on these shots...I'll get rid of that when I'm having a hard time; I weaken my grip for these shots, I'll also get rid of that, etc.) and just focus on the backswing length (relative to distance) and hitting the ball first. Generally, when I simplify and hit the ball first, I'm going to get a crisply hit shot that's on line. Most of the time, well-hit shots that are on line end up in a playable position and you're making no worse than par. It's when you start squirting it all over the place and/or mishitting it that you start leaking oil.

[TourSpoon]

Do you spin the ball hard? I used to play a 55* SW w/out a GW. I could hit the SW 110yds, but it really spun hard. A few years ago I went to a 52* GW and a 56* SW. I can hit the SW 100yds, but the spin is crazy when I hit it full. I've gotten to where I don't hit the SW over 90yds b/c of the excess spin and just lay back on the GW for 100yd shots.

A smooth SW is 100 and I could step on it for 110 but rarely do. I prefer the PW gripped down and an almost 3/4 swing. It comes in lower with enough spin to stop it. To me, this is a golf shot!