Top 10 Wedge tips guaranteed to improve Handicap Scores

1) Wedges are designed and used as precision scoring clubs, when
playing a wedge shot you should only swing with the maximum of 70%
effort.

2) Keep your arms free, soft and relaxed. Keep your chest turned
away from the target during the swing and allow your arms to flow
through the shot. Your shoulder will automatically line up with
the target and your arms will follow your shoulder line to the
target.

3) Playing green side bunker shots, open the clubface and imagine
a line through the sand with your left arm, all the way to the pin,
hit the sand an inch behind the ball and the ball will float out
of the bunker, that’s all you have to do. It’s the arm swing that
does it, slow and easy, same tempo back and same tempo down following
the shot all the way through.

4) On all wedge shots you should use a soft slightly lose grip and
just let the club flow all the way through the shot, you don’t have
to try and guide it, it will just happen all on it’s own.

5) When playing from the rough, the deeper the rough the tighter
the grip needed. If the rough is 1 inch high then play the ball
back in your stance, if the rough is 1-2 inches then play the ball
in a more normal position, if the rough is 2-3 inches high
play the ball 2-3 inches back from your normal position.

6) Make sure you have aligned your shoulders with the slope of every
shot.

7) If the ball is sitting up by 1/2 inch play the ball 1/2 - 1 inch
back in your stance. When the ball is sitting up it will increase
the loft of the wedge, if the ball is sitting up by 1 inch then play
the ball back in your stance 1 inch.

8) Playing a tight lie or playing from a divot, play the ball 2-3 inches
back towards the right foot from normal. This will allow a deeper
down swing and compress the ball that bit quicker.

9) The softer your arms are in the wedge swing, the more you will "spank"
the ball and become a better wedge player.

10) At all times keep your right foor firmly planted on the ground
when playing a wedge shot. Only after you have hit the ball does
your right foot want to come up slightly. The wedge swing is an arm
and upper body movement only. You should never feel the need to force
the swing, just let the arms flow soflty and you will get the right
result.