Short Game · Drill
Drive Your Hips for Lower, Steadier Wedges
Part of our short game programs for distance control, high, soft shots. Build a program with it
High, floaty wedges get pushed around by wind. A lower shot driven by your body carries a steadier distance. Take one less lofted wedge than usual. Make a shorter backswing, about chest high. Drive your hips toward the target through impact. Keep your arms connected to your body. Hold a short, low finish. Your hands and arms do less, so the strike repeats better.
The drill
- Use one less lofted wedge.
- Swing back to chest height.
- Drive your hips toward the target.
- Keep your arms connected.
- Hold a low, short finish.
Why it works
A shorter backswing and a stronger wedge reduce launch and spin loft, so the ball flies lower and the wind has less time to move it. Driving the hips toward the target brings your body through the shot and keeps the club moving with your chest. Your hands and arms then have less to do, so the low point and face angle repeat more often, and the distance stays steadier.
Common mistakes
- Swinging the arms back past chest height.Stop your lead arm at about chest height and match the length of your finish to it.
- Stalling the hips and flipping the hands to catch up.Start the downswing by moving your hips toward the target so your chest and arms follow.
- Letting the arms separate from the body and swing on their own.Keep your upper arms close to your chest, and rotate your chest and arms together through impact.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball launches lower than your normal wedge and holds its line in the wind.
- Contact is crisp, with a shallow divot starting just after the ball.
- Your finish is short and low, and your belt buckle faces the target or left of it for a right-hander.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice with no wind on a short target of about half your normal wedge distance, and take slow, half-speed swings until the hip drive feels natural.
Harder: Hit to a set of targets at different distances using only backswing length, and try to land each ball within a few paces while keeping the flight low.
Common questions
Why does a lower wedge shot fly straighter in the wind?
A lower flight spends less time in the air, so the wind has less time to push the ball offline or change its distance. Less spin also reduces the ballooning that makes high wedges unpredictable.
How far should I take the club back for a low wedge?
Take it back to about chest height with your lead arm. Keep the finish the same length, so the swing stays balanced and the distance is easier to repeat.
