We’ve all been there, on the short grass within 100 yards of a crashed drive, hoping to keep it close. Then the nerves kick in and tension creeps into your swing. Suddenly you’ve hit it over the green – or worse, cut it a few feet in front of you.
As you make the shameless walk to your prom, you ask yourself, “Why did I do that?” Although there are a few possible explanations, most of them are nerves. Increased stress often creates tension in your swing that kills your feeling and rhythm. The solution? Adjust the way you practice these important scoring shots.
Addison Craig, a GOLF teacher to watch, recommends taking a page from the pros by focusing on structure, building a baseline, and practicing with purpose. Here’s how to take your wedge game to the next level:
Step 1: Find Your “System”
A repeatable system is the foundation for consistency under pressure. While each player’s approach may differ, the goal is the same: create a reliable method that you can rely on when it matters most.
Below are three common methods you can use to drive in your wedges:
1. The clock method: With this system, a dial acts as a guide to the swing length. For example, a 9-to-3 swing produces a half shot with a low finish.
2. Feeling-based system: Some players prefer to rely on tempo to control distance rather than fixed swing positions. With this approach, a metronome app can be helpful.
3. Three-swing approach: Others like to simplify their technique by basing distances on the results of half, three-quarter and full swings.
Finding the right approach is a personal journey, says Craig, one that takes some experimentation. Next time you’re on the range, try a few different techniques until you discover the one that clicks for you.
Step 2: Build your baseline
Once you’ve chosen your wedge system, it’s time to develop your distance control: your personal baseline for how far you typically hit each of your wedges. This will be the foundation on which you build your wedge system.
To build your baseline, start by hitting a few short wedge shots – about 30-40 yards. The goal, says Craig, is to generate solid contact in the center of the face. Focusing on your contact can help you develop your rhythm and feel before adding power. When you can hit three solid shots in a row, gradually lengthen your swing.
As you slowly extend your backswing, Craig says to remember a few keys:
– Broaden your base
– Play the ball in the center of your stance
– Provide a square club face.
These setup and swing directions will help you establish a reliable “template” for your wedges. With improved tempo, feel and solid contact, you’ll be ready to integrate your wedge system into structured practice sessions. A great place to start is by tracking your distances with a launch monitor, like the one below. It provides instant feedback so you can confirm how far your wedges are flying and ensure your distances are consistent.
Full Swing KIT launch monitor
The Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor is designed with the most advanced radar technology and a high-resolution camera to give you 16 data and video points to see your swing in perfect clarity. Tested and trusted by Tiger Woods, made for everyone. 5D Machine-Learning Enhanced Radar The most innovative radar technology, patented to obtain the most accurate measurements in a more compact design at a lower cost. Heads-Up Display The only home monitor where you can see what’s on a customizable color display. Portable Build to take to and from the course with quick and easy setup so you can practice faster. “I KNOW THAT FULL SWING MEASURES MY GOLF BALL, AND NOT GADIS.” –Tiger Woods
View Product
Step 3: Stay sharp with completion exercises
Completion drills are one of the most effective ways to simulate pressure during practice. Dustin Johnson’s go-to wedge drill, seen in a recent one episode of Warm Upis a perfect example.
While this is a great exercise for amateurs to copy, Craig says you can get even more out of it with a few simple adjustments. First, expand your landing zone. In the video, Johnson only gives himself a one- or two-yard buffer on each shot. A landing zone of this size is certainly a challenge, but it also quickly leads to frustration. After all, you haven’t put in the 10,000 hours that helped Johnson perfect his touch, so it can be difficult to perform the drill consistently in a reasonable amount of time.
The second adjustment he recommends is to worry less about your right and left misses.
“You have to get the consistency of the distance control down first,” he says. “It sounds crazy, but if you can make that window a little bit bigger and not have to worry about left and right, call it 10 to 15 yards, that’s pretty much the average size of a green.”
For most amateurs, consistently hitting the green with their wedges is a major achievement, Craig explains. Especially considering that the PGA Tour average for approaches within 100 yards is 17′ 1″. Close – but probably not as close as you might think.
By setting realistic expectations, you can celebrate the good shots while noticing improvement on your misses. As your accuracy increases, you can gradually reduce the landing zone. You can also time your sessions and track how many of every five or ten shots land in the zone, giving you a clear, measurable way to track your progress.
#wedge #method #professionals #pinpoint #accuracy