Some wedge shots fall and stop quickly, others are released. I like to look at this in two ways: the ingredients and the recipe. The components are the ball and the wedge. The recipe is your technique and delivery.
If you want your wedge shots to stop on the green, here’s what you need to know.
The golf ball controls how much spin is available
When you look at our results 2025 golf ball test from 35 yards with a sand wedge, the spin gap between the balls is significant.
Tour urethane balls:
Distance and “soft feel” balls:
This is a change from almost 4000 rpm at the same distance. Rotation is the main braking force in a wedge shot. Less spin means less friction with the green meaning more opening. If you have the wrong ball in play, you are already at a disadvantage.
Height helps, but it’s not the divider
A common belief is that shots with higher wedges stop faster. During testing, you will quickly discover that this is not true.
- Rotation: 2058 rpm
- Descent angle: 40.9 rank
- Peak height: 22 feet
- Rotation: 6009 rpm
- Descent angle: 34.5 rank
- Peak height: 17 feet
of Speed it takes off higher and lands steeper, but still comes out higher. When a wedge shot lands, the ball is still moving forward. The roll creates the horizontal braking force that resists the forward momentum. Elevation changes the angle, but it doesn’t brake in the same way.
Tournament players often fly low. A lower-flying, high-spin wedge often stops faster and more predictably than a high, floating putt.
The wedge determines whether the rotation survives
Spin must also survive real-world conditions. Here we can look at wedge testing and pull numbers in 50 yard spin conditions from dry and wet grass. You will notice that some wedges cannot be hung to rotate when friction is lost.
Strong rotation retention:
Significant torque loss:
When moisture reduces friction, some wedges lose half their spin. This dramatically increases rendering even if the launch and height remain similar.
What your technique adds
Equipment gives you the ability to spin a wedge shot. The technique determines whether you unlock it. Even with a high spin ball and a strong wedge, the spread increases if the spread is broken.
- No ability to fly it down: Higher is not always better. Professionals often lower the trajectory to control spin and speed.
- Attempt to lift instead of compression: Wedges already have lofts. Scooping increases launch but reduces friction. Let the loft in the club do the work.
- Poor shot quality: Grass or moisture between the face and the ball kills spin. Prioritize contact with the ball.
- Attic greatly added to the influence: Spinning increases height, but often decreases effective spin. Keep the handle slightly forward through the stroke.
Final thoughts
Stopping power isn’t about hitting it higher. It’s not about playing a “softer” ball. And it’s not just about “hitting it.”
It’s about friction and forward momentum.
Rotation creates friction. The design of the ball determines how much spin is available. The design and technology of the wedge determines whether that roll survives, especially in the wet. Your technique will determine whether you can take advantage of it and stop your shot on the green.
