Mastering The Wedge Shots: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Hit Your Wedges Better

Check out our 5 step process to improve any part of your golf game!

We are all about game improvement here at thegolfmavericks.com. Oftentimes the wedge game is overlooked.

BUT…So much of the scoring happens inside of 125 yards.

And it might be time to shift your focus to scoring from 125 yards and in.

This is why your wedge game is so important to your overall success and the score you post each round.

While the driver can set you up to make birdie, hitting shots inside of 20 feet, truly brings birdie into play.

We have all had holes where we eliminate our chance for a birdie and even bring a high number into play because of poor wedge shots: too far right, too far left, too short or too long.

As a golfer, I have come to realize that the key to a successful game lies in mastering the art of wedge shots. Wedges are an essential part of any golfer’s arsenal, and being able to hit them well can make a significant difference in your overall performance.

In this comprehensive guide, I will share with you the techniques and strategies that will help you hit your wedges better and take your wedge game to the next level.

Importance of Mastering Wedge Shots

Before diving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand why mastering wedge shots is so important. Wedges are primarily used for shorter shots, typically within 125 yards from the pin. These shots require precision and control, as they often determine whether you can score a birdie or save par. By improving your wedge shots, you will be able to hit your approach shots closer to the pin, giving yourself more birdie opportunities and reducing the number of putts needed to complete a hole.

Special Note: It is often reported that 60-65 percent of shot take place within 100 yards of the hole in golf.

5 Tips For Better Wedge Play

We all want to hit our wedges closer to provide more birdie opportunities or to simply make less double bogeys. Here are our top 5 tips to take your game to the next level.

#1 Low Point Control

All great wedge players make clean, crisp contact and this starts with low point control. Often times, the location of the weight in your swing will impact your low point. If your weight is too far back (most common) or too far forward, you will often have inconsistent striking of the ball.

We want to think of a striking of a match or landing an airplane vs digging or scooping.

11 Tips To Improve Your Chipping

#2 Club Face Control

Generally speaking, the ball will start in the direction the club face is pointing at impact. The wedge game relies on having quality club face control to keep the ball on the correct line on this shorter shot. The best feedback you can have without any fancy launch monitors is to check where your golf ball starts.

If it is starting too far right, your club face is too open. If the golf ball is starting too far left, your club face is too closed. Hit 50-100 shots at the range with your sand wedge and work on starting the ball on the correct line. The long term benefit is that this will help you with every club in the bag.

Recommendation: Need more distance in your game, check out this post!

#3 Know Your Distances

Too many golfers think they hit their sand wedge 115 yards. So they come up to a shot, laser their distance and find out they have 115 yards. They pull their sand wedge, hts a well struck shot only to see it come up short in the bunker.

They head down into the bunker, hit the sand shot poorly and make a double bogey. The cause of the double bogey is lack of awareness or ego that made them pull the sand wedge from 115 yards. The right club pull and you are looking at a birdie opportunity instead of scrambling trying to save par or bogey at the worst.

10 Tips To Improve Your Approach Shots

#4 Pick The Correct Aim Points

Once again, too many golfers aim right at the pin. This can often lead to disaster. Not even the professionals hit the ball as close from 100 yards with a wedge as your might think.

Fun Fact: Did you know the average proximity to the pin from 100 yards on the PGA Tour is 18 feet?

Hopefully, this stat above can provide you with proper expectations, which can help you pick the right aim points. Understanding your miss can also play a significant role in a realistic aim point that will leave a putt inside of 30 feet and somewhere on the putting surface.

I would recommend checking out Decade Golf for more information on picking the right target lines and the analytics behind game management strategies.

#5 Control Your Shot Height

I played in a scramble the other day with golfers of various handicap levels. Way too often the golfer is trying to hit a 65 yard wedge shot way up in the air. Instead, the golfer should try to control and flight the ball into the hole.

Why, you might ask. It helps reduce some of the variable such as wind and quality contact with the ground. Eliminating the big miss (chunk shot) and/or different variables can help take your game to the next level.

I am not advocating for low runners everywhere, but instead a flighted 60 degree wedge that is easier to control the distance with is often more effective, especially over the course of an entire season of hitting these 30-90 yard shots.

Helpful Video on Flighting Your Wedges:

Understanding the Different Types of Wedges

To hit your wedges better, it’s essential to understand the different types of wedges and their specific uses. The most common wedges in a golfer’s bag are the pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge. Each wedge has a different loft angle, which affects the trajectory and distance of the shot.

The pitching wedge has the lowest loft, followed by the gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge. By having a variety of wedges in your bag, you can choose the right club for each situation and improve your chances of hitting closer to the pin.

My Experience: I carry a 48 degree pitching, a 54 degree sand wedge and a 60 degree lob wedge. I am able to play with the 6 degree difference between wedges because I am comfortable hitting less than full shots. If you struggle ith less than full wedges, you might only want a 4 degree gap in your wedges and carry the following: 48 degree pitching wedge, 52 degree gap wedge, 56 degree sand wedge and a 60 degree lob wedge.

Proper Grip and Setup for Wedge Shots

Having a solid grip and proper setup is crucial for consistency and accuracy in your wedge shots. Start by gripping the club with your left hand (for right-handed golfers) with your thumb resting on top of the grip. Place your right hand below your left hand, with your right pinky finger resting between the index and middle finger of your left hand.

This grip allows for better control and feel of the club during the swing.

In terms of setup, position the ball in the center of your stance, with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees slightly and lean your weight slightly towards your left side (for right-handed golfers).

This setup promotes a descending strike on the ball and helps create the necessary spin and control. Additionally, ensure that your body alignment is parallel to the target line to ensure you are aiming in the right direction.

My Experience: As far as ball position, you will want to experiment with the ball forward and back in your stance and measure the following: height of the shot, quality of the strike, and whether you miss right or left. By collectingy some data, you will better be able to assess your wedge game and the best ball position for you!

Helpful Resources:

Basic Swing Mechanics for Better Wedge Shots

To hit your wedges better, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of the basic swing mechanics involved. The key to a successful wedge shot lies in a controlled and compact swing. Start by taking a three-quarter swing, focusing on maintaining a smooth tempo throughout. Avoid overswinging, as it can lead to inconsistent strikes and loss of control.

As you swing, keep your wrists firm and stable, avoiding excessive wrist movement. This will help you maintain control and accuracy.

Additionally, make sure to maintain a steady rhythm and tempo, allowing for a smooth transition from backswing to downswing. Finally, ensure that you maintain good balance throughout the swing, keeping your weight centered and your body stable.

Mastering Distance Control with Wedges

One of the most critical aspects of hitting your wedges better is mastering distance control. Being able to control the distance of your wedge shots will allow you to hit the ball closer to the pin and increase your chances of scoring. To improve your distance control, it’s essential to practice with each of your wedges to develop a feel for how far each club carries and rolls.

The Golf Mavericks Recommendation: We recommend using a launch monitor and creating a chart of your distance you hit each wedge. We would highly recommend hitting 10 shots with each club at 100%, 90%, and 80% and mapping out the mean average at each distance. Create a chart that looks like this for your game:

Club	100%	90%	80%
Pitching Wedge	130	120	110
SW Club	117	108	100
LW Club	100	90	80

After creating this chart, go ahead and practice these different distances with the different length swings. Start by hitting shots at different targets on the practice range, focusing on the distance and trajectory of each shot. Pay attention to the length of your backswing and the speed of your swing to gauge the distance each club produces.

With consistent practice, you will develop a reliable sense of how far each wedge carries, allowing you to adjust your swing accordingly to hit your wedges closer to the pin.

Tips for Hitting Wedges Closer to the Pin

While distance control is essential, hitting your wedges closer to the pin requires a combination of accuracy and shot-making skills. Here are a few techniques that can help you improve your wedge shots and get the ball closer to the pin:

Visualize the shot: Before hitting a wedge shot, take a moment to visualize the trajectory and landing spot. This mental imagery will help you focus on executing the shot and increase your chances of hitting it closer to the pin.
Control the spin: To stop the ball quickly on the green, you need to generate enough backspin. To achieve this, focus on striking the ball with a descending blow and brushing the grass after impact. This will create the necessary friction between the ball and the clubface, resulting in more spin and better control.
Use your body: Engage your body in the swing by rotating your hips and shoulders through impact. This will help generate power and control, allowing you to hit your wedges with more accuracy and distance control.
Practice different shots: To become a versatile wedge player, practice different shots such as pitch shots, flop shots, and bunker shots. This will help you develop a wide range of shots and increase your confidence in various situations.

By incorporating these techniques into your practice routine, you will develop the skills necessary to hit your wedges closer to the pin consistently.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hitting Wedges

Even the most skilled golfers make mistakes when hitting wedge shots. Here are some common mistakes to avoid to improve your wedge game:

Scooping the ball: One of the most common mistakes is scooping the ball at impact, which leads to a lack of control and distance. Instead, focus on striking down on the ball and taking a divot after impact.
Overusing the wrists: Excessive wrist movement can lead to inconsistency and loss of control. Keep your wrists firm and stable throughout the swing to maintain accuracy and distance control.
Neglecting practice: Consistent practice is key to improving your wedge game. Neglecting regular practice sessions can lead to a decline in your skills and hinder your progress.
Poor club selection: Choosing the wrong wedge for a particular shot can result in poor distance control and accuracy. Take the time to evaluate the distance and conditions before selecting your club.

By being aware of these common mistakes and actively working to avoid them, you will be able to hit your wedges better and improve your overall performance on the course.

Practicing and Improving Wedge Shots

To truly master the art of wedge shots, consistent practice is essential. Here are some practice drills that can help you improve your wedge shots:

Target practice: Set up targets at different distances on the practice range and aim to hit your wedges as close to the target as possible. This will help you improve your distance control and accuracy.
Short game challenges: Create challenging scenarios around the green, such as hitting shots from different lies and slopes. This will help you develop the creativity and shot-making skills necessary to navigate various situations on the course.
Playing mini-games: Engage in friendly competitions with fellow golfers, focusing on wedge shots. This will add a competitive element to your practice and help you simulate real-game situations.

Remember, consistency is key when practicing your wedges. Make it a habit to dedicate a portion of your practice sessions to working on your wedge shots, and you will see significant improvements in your performance on the course.

The Golf Mavericks Experience: We hit plenty of wedges in our golf simulator setup that involves a SkyTrak and The Golf Club (TGC) Software. We are able to dial in our distance, compete and improve your wedge game.

Conclusion: Take Your Wedge Game to the Next Level

Mastering the art of wedge shots is crucial for any golfer looking to improve their game.

By understanding the different types of wedges, having proper grip and setup, and focusing on the basic swing mechanics, you can hit your wedges better and increase your chances of hitting closer to the pin.

Most importantly, by mastering distance control, employing specific techniques for hitting wedges closer to the pin, and avoiding common mistakes, you can elevate your wedge game to new heights. Remember to practice consistently and incorporate various drills into your routine to continue improving your wedge shots.

So, take the time to focus on your wedge game, and you will see the results in your overall performance on the golf course. Whether it’s hitting your wedges closer or more consistently, the art of wedge shots can truly transform your game. Start implementing these tips and techniques today, and watch your wedge shots become a valuable asset in your golf game.