Great wedge game it starts with understanding how solid contact is made. Many golfers struggle around the greens because they unknowingly make the game more difficult than it needs to be. By focusing on a few key fundamentals (impact, ball position, balance and reaction) you can improve contact, control distance more effectively and hit more shots close to the target.
1. Stop trying to lift the ball
Golf can be a very counterintuitive game. Many golfers who struggle with wedge shots, or even full swings, don’t fully understand how the golf ball hits the air.
A common mistake is to try to help or take the ball off the ground. When golfers try to get the ball in the air, it often leads to poor contact, making it nearly impossible. check the distance or repeatedly hit shots close to the target.
2. Understand the impact
In a properly struck wedge shot, the club contacts the ball first and then the ground. The clubhouse loft does the job of launching the ball into the air.
When the ball is pressed into the club face and hit in the center of the grooves, the club loft creates the trajectory. In most solid golf swings, the club contacts the ball before making a slight separation after impact.
There are many great videos demonstrating this concept. One of my favorite things to share with students is an overview of well-struck putts that clearly shows the club going into the ground after the shot.
3. Ball position is key
Ball position is important throughout the game, but it becomes especially critical in short grass wedge play.
Avoid playing the ball too far forward in your stance. When the ball is positioned too far forward, the club often reaches the bottom of its swing arc before reaching the ball, causing the club to hit the ground first.
If you often hit heavy wedge shots or make excessive ground before impact, check that the ball position is closer to the center of your stance. This simple adjustment can dramatically improve contact and stability.
4. Finish forward
During landing and during impact, allow your weight and momentum to shift to your leading side. Avoid falling back or trying to lift the ball in the air.
A balanced finish with your weight over your lead foot promotes better contact and more consistent results. A great way to check this is by holding your bottom after each shot. If your weight is off target, poor contact often results.
A great habit is to hold your bottom until the ball stops rolling. This not only improves balance, but also provides valuable feedback to your movement during the stroke.
5. Monitor face contact
Pay attention to where the ball makes contact with the club face. This is one of the best ways to make adjustments and improve the quality of the shot.
Often, you can see the location of impact directly on the clubface after a shot. If not, impact spray can be applied to the face to leave a visible mark where the ball was hit.
