Knock it Stiff With Your Wedges
I have been coaching golf for ten years now and have not found many players that have practiced their wedges effectively and efficiently.
This area of the game could be one of the easiest to improve in the shortest amount of time.
To hit wedge shots effectively there is a little different technique involved versus the full swing, but after that it will take a few practice sessions and it will stay with you for a very long time.
Wedge Technique When watching the technique of the best wedge players in the game one thing is noticeable.
They all hold off their wedges.
What I mean by this is that through impact and finish they have learned to release the club without releasing the face.
To learn how to do this go to impact slowly with no ball and hold this position.
Now let your body and arms work together to a ¾ finish without your right hand crossing over your left.
You must however feel as though your left armpit stays connected to your body while you're left elbow folds next to your side.
You will know you did this correct if the shaft of your club points to the right.
Any release of the toe will result in the club aiming to the left through the finish.
What people don't understand is that by "holding the club off" this will actually lower the flight of your golf ball because it will require more wrist angle or "lag" and will thus make it more easy to control the distance of your wedges.
Distance Control To learn proper distance control it is essential that you go to a place to practice where you can set out either shafts, towels or head covers at ten yard increments.
In other words you are basically trying to create a football field with targets set from about 40 - 100 yards.
There are two basic methods to learn to control your wedges.
The first method is by feeling as though your body is like a speedometer as in a car.
If you turn your body at 50 mph then the ball will go 50 yards.
Spend some time practicing this and you will be able to see how far the ball flies and you will learn the proper feel for these distances.
The second method to control your wedges is to develop three checkpoints in your backswing.
These do not have to be exact but you want to feel a half-swing, three-quarter, and a full backswing position.
When you do this each checkpoint will cause the ball to fly a certain distance with each wedge.
I personally carry 4 wedges and thus have developed great feel and consistency for twelve distances that I will most often have on the golf course.
Make sure you practice this for a couple of weeks and you will also see your distance control with your wedges improve dramatically.
One of the easiest and quickest ways to see your scores lower is to learn how to effectively control your distance with your wedges.
There is a simple technique change that will allow you to improve your technique, but with a little practice you will be able to knock it stiff with your wedges and watch your scores drop dramatically.
This area of the game could be one of the easiest to improve in the shortest amount of time.
To hit wedge shots effectively there is a little different technique involved versus the full swing, but after that it will take a few practice sessions and it will stay with you for a very long time.
Wedge Technique When watching the technique of the best wedge players in the game one thing is noticeable.
They all hold off their wedges.
What I mean by this is that through impact and finish they have learned to release the club without releasing the face.
To learn how to do this go to impact slowly with no ball and hold this position.
Now let your body and arms work together to a ¾ finish without your right hand crossing over your left.
You must however feel as though your left armpit stays connected to your body while you're left elbow folds next to your side.
You will know you did this correct if the shaft of your club points to the right.
Any release of the toe will result in the club aiming to the left through the finish.
What people don't understand is that by "holding the club off" this will actually lower the flight of your golf ball because it will require more wrist angle or "lag" and will thus make it more easy to control the distance of your wedges.
Distance Control To learn proper distance control it is essential that you go to a place to practice where you can set out either shafts, towels or head covers at ten yard increments.
In other words you are basically trying to create a football field with targets set from about 40 - 100 yards.
There are two basic methods to learn to control your wedges.
The first method is by feeling as though your body is like a speedometer as in a car.
If you turn your body at 50 mph then the ball will go 50 yards.
Spend some time practicing this and you will be able to see how far the ball flies and you will learn the proper feel for these distances.
The second method to control your wedges is to develop three checkpoints in your backswing.
These do not have to be exact but you want to feel a half-swing, three-quarter, and a full backswing position.
When you do this each checkpoint will cause the ball to fly a certain distance with each wedge.
I personally carry 4 wedges and thus have developed great feel and consistency for twelve distances that I will most often have on the golf course.
Make sure you practice this for a couple of weeks and you will also see your distance control with your wedges improve dramatically.
One of the easiest and quickest ways to see your scores lower is to learn how to effectively control your distance with your wedges.
There is a simple technique change that will allow you to improve your technique, but with a little practice you will be able to knock it stiff with your wedges and watch your scores drop dramatically.
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