Short Game · Lesson
How to Play 50- and 70-Yard Wedges
Part of our short game programs for high, soft shots. Build a program with it
In-between wedges trip up a lot of golfers. First, check your lie and any slope. From 50 yards, many amateurs take a big swing and then slow down. Instead, treat it like a big pitch. Short backswing, longer follow-through, steady speed. On an upslope, let the hill add height but still hit down for spin. From 70 yards into wind, take a less lofted wedge and swing smoothly. It flies lower and holds better than a hard swing with your highest wedge.
Step by step
- Read the lie and slope.
- 50 yards: short back, long through.
- Never slow down.
- Hit down for spin.
- Into wind: less loft, smoother swing.
Why it works
A shorter backswing with a longer follow-through keeps the club accelerating through impact. That gives you clean contact and steady spin. Slowing down near the ball makes you hit fat, thin or weak shots. A less lofted wedge into wind launches lower, so the ball spins less and the wind has less time to push it up and back. A smooth swing keeps the strike solid and the distance predictable.
Common mistakes
- You take a long backswing and then slow down before impact.Shorten the backswing so you can keep the club speeding up all the way through the ball.
- You skip the lie and slope check and play every shot the same way.Look at the lie and slope before you pick a club, and set your stance to match the ground.
- You swing hard with your highest-lofted wedge into the wind.Take a less lofted wedge, swing smoothly, and let the lower flight hold its line.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball launches on a steady, medium-low flight and lands near your target distance.
- Your divot starts just after the ball and the strike feels crisp, not fat or thin.
- Your finish is longer than your backswing and the club never feels like it stops.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice from a clean fairway lie on flat ground with no wind, and only hit the 50-yard shot.
Harder: Hit the same distances from an upslope or a tight lie, or into a breeze, and aim to land the ball on a small target.
Common questions
How do I stop decelerating on 50-yard wedge shots?
Use a shorter backswing and a longer follow-through, so you have room to keep speeding up. Think of it as a big pitch, not a small full swing.
What club should I hit from 70 yards into the wind?
Take a less lofted wedge than you would in calm conditions and swing smoothly. The ball flies lower and holds its line better than a hard swing with your highest-lofted wedge.
