Sweeps Alert! Wedge Play Wizardry

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By Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

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  • 148 Replies
  1. Dave N

    Dave N
    Dade City, FL

    I took my 54* and 58* wedges out of the bag. If I try to fly it in (like Phil) it's a mystery as to where it will go and how far it will go. Hit them fat, thin you name it I do it. Thoughts?
  2. LAYNE S

    LAYNE S

    Dave N,

    Focus on clean contact. That will develop a "feel" through consistent loft delivery. Two priorities for you: Learn to lean the shaft forward at impact AND control your low point. Draw a line in the sand and take out the front side of the line with low point practice. Additionally, if your shaft lean forward at impact is predictable, you will now know how hard to swing for carry distances.

    good luck,

    Layne S
  3. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    I struggle with those short sided shots where I pull the 60* lob wedge, play it off my back foot and strike the ball too high on the club face so it travels too far. Am I pulling the wrong wedge or is the ball too deep in my stance?

  4. greg p

    greg p
    Chicago 'burbs, IL

    How important is club fitting? Specifically interested in how lie angle, length, and shaft selection impact performance.
  5. Dr. Robert J Neal

    Dr. Robert J Neal

    greg p said:

    How important is club fitting? Specifically interested in how lie angle, length, and shaft selection impact performance.

    Hi Greg,

    Getting the right fit on wedges is very important! Lie angle has a HUGE impact on the start direction, particularly for distance wedges (i.e., shots greater than 50y carry). In my experience, most amateurs have a lie angle that is too upright so therefore it is imperative that you get a fitter to get that lie angle to match with the way you deliver the club. I am not so sure how shaft stiffness and kick point affect wedge play. There is far less lead/lag and droop deflection with wedges than with a Driver so these parameters may have a lesser role in wedge fitting than Driver fitting.
  6. Paul T

    Paul T
    alpharetta, GA

    I typically can hit out of firm sand with better results than soft fluffy sand. Titleist SM7 08M grind. Always seems to hit out of fluffy sand too short or (I'll skull it).
    Should my swing be different in either kind of sand?
    thanks.
  7. Tommy H

    Tommy H
    Northern VA

    Hi Doc and Layne,

    I was fortunate to be able to get fitted for wedges through the Bob Vokey experience in 2017 and got SM6's. How often should I replace my 3-4 wedges if I play about once a week for 6 months a year? Thanks!


    Tommy
  8. Baylor

    Baylor
    Carmel

    When it comes to different yardage control in using the same club for 30 to 60 yard pitch shots, what advice would get to get on the green more consistently within 20 feet or so for the put?

    Thank you
  9. Matthew D

    Matthew D

    Is it better to focus on using only one club around the greens? I want to get better at my short game but I feel using only a 52 is holding me back, any suggestions? Thanks Matt!
  10. Todd M

    Todd M

    Rick V., Team Titleist Staff said:

    Hey, Team Titleist.

    A few weeks ago, we presented a special live webinar hosted by Titleist staff members Layne Savoie and Dr. Rob Neal, the co-founders of WedgeCraft. During this exclusive Team Titleist event, Layne and Doc shared a wealth of short game knowledge that they have acquired over the course of more than eight years studying and working with the world's most accomplished wedge players.

    The data they collected through their study led to the identification of Seven Control Variables - core fundamentals of wedge play that the world's best have mastered and that you can learn, as well, to develop your own elite short game.

    Luckily, we had the foresight to record the live webinar and from it, we were able to produce several great videos that are now available for viewing on the Titleist Instruction Center. In these videos, Doc and Layne examine a variety of short game shots and analyze the techniques used by some of the world's finest wedge players in the game, including Titleist brand ambassadors Justin Thomas, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Ian Poulter and more.

    To learn more about the science of wedge play, and for a deep dive into the fundamentals of three core short game shots, check out the following videos:

    Wedge Play Wizardry | Part 1: Introduction to WedgeCraft

    Wedge Play Wizardry | Part 2: Elite Technique of Titleist Tour Players

    Wedge Play Wizardry | Part 3: Distance Wedge Keys with Jordan Spieth

    Wedge Play Wizardry | Part 4: Finesse Wedge Keys with Justin Thomas

    Wedge Play Wizardry | Part 5: Keys to the Lob Shot with Jason Dufner

    Full Webinar: The Science of Wedge Play Featuring Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott and More

    For more great wedge play instruction, be sure to visit WedgeCraft.com, as well as Layne and Doc’s pages on the Titleist Instruction Center:

    https://www.titleist.com/instruction-layne-savoie

    https://www.titleist.com/instruction-rob-neal

    •••

    BONUS SWEEPSTAKES: 

    We have a special surprise for all you short game fanatics out there. Layne and Doc have recently developed a digital wedge intensive that is available at WedgeCraft.com. This comprehensive, 12-week subscription course takes you through the Seven Control Variables and provides a weekly framework to develop and strengthen these critical short game skills. The program includes more than three hours of video content, monthly live webinars and includes over forty drills and exercises to help improve your technique and lower your scores.

    And to thank the Team Titleist community for their support, Doc and Layne have been kind enough to provide digital subscriptions for six lucky members of Team Titleist!

    HERE’S HOW TO ENTER - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Add a comment below in the form of a question for Doc and Layne, then hit the "Submit Reply" button.

    Sample entries: 

    "What adjustments do you make for a short finesse shot out of thick rough, like we saw at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot?"

    "How do you know when to play a low running chip shot vs. a pitch with more carry?"

    “Why do I hit so many chunks and thin shots on full wedge shots?”

    "Are there any good wedge drills that I can do indoors or in the back yard?"

    Yes, it's that easy. Any topic is fair game.

    •••

    We’ll randomly select six (6) winners from all approved entries that are submitted by Friday, October 2, 2020 at 11:59 PM.

    A few more important details... Only one entry per person. If you send in multiple replies, you'll be disqualified from the contest. Don't forget to include all of the details outlined above or your entry will not be considered eligible.

    After the drawing, Larry will respond to as many submitted questions as he can to help get our games on the right track for the rest of the season.

    Keep in mind, all posts are moderated, and it may take some time for your reply to appear. We'll do our best to approve posts quickly but if you enter more than one reply, we have to disqualify you from the drawing (sorry to repeat this but we want to make sure it's clear).

    No purchase necessary. View complete rules here: http://www.titleist.com/company/Community-Policy.aspx#sweepstakes

    U.S. only. Here's some more info: Why are Titleist sweepstakes U.S. only?

    Good luck!

    Rick
    Titleist Staff

    I use my 56 degree wedge for all of my partial shots inside 100 yards. I do have a 61 degree that will go 80 yards. Every time I use it, either I’m shanking it or leaving the club face wide open. I don’t do it on any other club. Are there any differences with the added loft? I would really like to use the club instead of just carrying it.
  11. Michael M

    Michael M
    holland, MI

    Best drill to keep from chunking my short chips? Thanks Mike
  12. JMcFarland

    JMcFarland

    For wedge play about 40 yards and in, I generally use either my 56 degree or my 64 degree, depending on lie, angle, pin placement, etc. Lately I've tried to learn to hit my 64 degree no matter what (previously it was more for hitting over hazards and out of rough). Would you recommend committing to just one wedge or the other and learning how to hit anything with that wedge, or does it make sense to keep switching between the two based on variables? Thanks!
  13. CZeimet

    CZeimet

    I’m interested in learning more about the “Flop Shot”.
    Thanks, Chuck
  14. Gary R

    Gary R

    How do I hit a ball in such a manner that it will check up once I hit the green
  15. Alan F

    Alan F

    I’m constantly second guessing myself on ‘When do I chip, When do I pitch.’ Help
  16. Paula F

    Paula F
    Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

    Lately chunking or blading 20 - 30 yard pitches - any suggestions or drills???
  17. HSheehan

    HSheehan

    Which variable do you consider more important, shaft lean or ball position?
  18. Flyer32

    Flyer32

    Is there a recommendation on particular wedge grind for the Wedge club I use to hit my chip/run-up shots?
  19. Scott S

    Scott S
    VALLEY CITY, OH

    How do I create consistency in greenside chipping? Sometimes they check and other times they release. How do I make it do what I want, when I want?
  20. John S

    John S

    On short pitches and chips I sometimes find myself decelerating. Any swing thought suggestions on how to avoid this?
  21. Nancy H

    Nancy H
    San Diego, CA

    Bunkers usually gives me the most trouble. What quick tips would you recommend when choosing the right wedge to play?
  22. JNemuras

    JNemuras

    what is the best approach for developing top tier chipping expertise ... learn variation with multiple lofts / lies or become a super expert with one go to wedge ?
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