Short Game · Drill
Let Your Wedge Do the Work
Part of our short game programs for fat or chunked, distance control. Build a program with it
Your wedges have lots of loft and bounce. Both are on your side. The mistake is trying to lift the ball. Let the loft do that. On wedge approaches, try a pause at the top in practice. Then start down by turning your body, not by throwing your hands. Hands-first leads to hitting behind the ball. Vary your swing length to change distance. Around the green, use the bottom of the club. Let the handle swing around your body instead of scooping.
The drill
- Trust the loft.
- Pause at the top in practice swings.
- Turn your body to start down.
- Use the bounce on tough lies.
- Let the handle move around you.
Why it works
A wedge has enough loft to launch the ball without help, so you only need to deliver the club to the ball and let it climb the face. When you try to lift the ball, your hands flip and the low point of the swing moves behind the ball, which produces chunks. Starting down with your body turn keeps the handle moving around you, so the bounce slides along the turf instead of the leading edge digging in.
Common mistakes
- You try to scoop the ball into the air with your hands.Keep the handle ahead of the clubhead through impact and trust the loft to lift the ball.
- You start the downswing by throwing your hands at the ball.Pause at the top in practice, then start down by turning your chest and hips toward the target.
- You hit the ground with the leading edge on soft or tight lies.Set the club so the sole sits flat and let the bounce, the bottom of the club, brush the turf as the handle swings around you.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts on your intended line and climbs without you helping it.
- You strike the ball first, then the turf, and the divot or brush mark starts in front of the ball.
- Your chip distances vary by swing length, not by how hard you hit.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice from a good lie on short grass with a short swing, and keep the pause at the top until the body turn feels natural.
Harder: Hit from tight lies, rough or a slight downslope, and set a target for each shot so you must control distance with swing length alone.
Common questions
Why do I keep chunking my chip shots?
Most chunks come from the low point of the swing landing behind the ball, often because the hands flip or scoop. Start down with your body turn and let the club's loft and bounce do the work.
What is wedge bounce and how do I use it?
Bounce is the angle on the sole that keeps the leading edge from digging into the ground. You use it by letting the sole brush the turf as the handle swings around your body, rather than leaning the shaft hard forward or scooping.
