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Re: A wedge guide by Willsstrs

Thu, Nov 1 2012 10:02 AM (3 replies)
  • Willsstrs
    632 Posts
    Tue, Oct 30 2012 5:44 PM

    Here is how I play all of my wedge shots-

    1. Be aware of the wind...wind does not affect wedges as much as drivers and irons, but it is still there. I always go by feel with the wind. I visualize the shot going thru the air and see how the ball gets bounced around by the wind. I try more compensation and less compensation and get a feel for what the right line is. Also be aware that the ball will keep moving the way the wind is going after it lands, so if you have a left to right wind, you want the ball to land left of the hole. 

    2. Be aware of the slope. Break on the green will affect where the wedge shot ends up, as most shots will have either backspin or topspin. I like to go to chip view to get a general idea for the break of the green, even on full shots. Also, make sure you account for any bounce of slope that the ball will land on.

    3. Know how far you need to hit it. The wind, slope, and elevation will affect this. I like to use distance off the meter in stead of using spin with the wedges. This only affects high level wedges  with full and punch shots. With too much spin, they are not controlled. With lower level wedges, always use spin first! With low level wedges, spin will depending on the ball take 5-8 yards of distance off of the shot. The remaining distance you need should be taken off of the power on the meter.

    4. USE THE RIGHT SHOT!!!!!!! Among the higher level players it is not uncommon for a wedge to be punched from the fairway. Or a bunker shot pitched or flopped. This is simply to avoid guessing for distance on in between shots, or to make the ball stop faster. In fact, my most common wedge shot it my punch 60 degree. It goes 62 yards and is very reliable. If you watch videos of me or Bollox or anyone at a high level, you will see that we use every shot just as much as every other shot. Being 1-demensional when it comes to wedges is a bad idea!

    5. DING IT!!!!!!!!! I can't stress this enough! Focus as hard as you can on hitting the ding with the wedges! I don't know what it is about them, but they get offline very very easily, and if there is wind, A NON-DING WILL GET OBLITERATED BY THE WIND AND GET THROWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR HOBOS TO EAT! YOU COULD TURN A 50 YARD SCORING OPPORTUNITY INTO A NIGHTMARE-ISH PAR TO LOSE THE HOLE!

    If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments on this, reply below :)

  • strrretch
    89 Posts
    Thu, Nov 1 2012 6:37 AM

    Great advice.  I think I'm still learning what my wedges can and will do.  Your suggestions are excellent.  My flop shots had been somewhat askew from time to time.   Need to practise those flop shots more.  Was trying to take into consideration the wind on a flop shot today - overplayed it and my question is  - does wind have much of an effect on a flop shot?  Is the slope more of a consideration for where ball lands than the wind?

  • SamanthaWho
    3,403 Posts
    Thu, Nov 1 2012 8:27 AM

    I am lucky to have been here long enough to have gotten the 3 Z-Satin wedges way back at L38-39. I think it was 650 credits for all three. I watch my friends try to dial in their Clevelands or the new ATV high level ones. I know exactly what and where my wedges will go and what they will do. I will never get rid of these.

    The punch with my 64 degree (50yrd) wedge helps tremendously around the green from a full 41 to 30 yrds. A great way to hit from a bunker too.

    I cant say enough to people to learn the flop shot. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.

     

  • strrretch
    89 Posts
    Thu, Nov 1 2012 10:02 AM

    Thanks Samantha.  Still learning to use those punch shots with my wedges.  Have heard others say good things about the Z-Satins as well.

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