Wedges are useful clubs for hitting the ball high and landing soft, but oftentimes, keeping the ball low is the optimal play. When hitting a wedge in the 50-125 yard range, flighting the ball is the correct play.
Lofting the ball high in the air might be the correct shot in certain situations, but keeping the ball down with wedges is something the best short-game players in the world typically do. This reduces the amount the wind can affect the shot and makes controlling distance much easier.
Watch any of the best wedge players in the world and you’ll see them deploy this technique. But how exactly can you replicate this shot? GOLF Teacher to Watch Parker McLachlin — aka the Short Game Chef — explains in the video below.
How to hit a flighted wedge
Hitting a high, towering shot with your irons is a great skill to have when accessing tucked pins. But when you come into the greens from closer range, it’s more prudent to flight the ball down.
“All the best wedge players in the world hit their wedges low,” McLachlin says. “Especially from 50 to 125 [yards].”
An easy way to produce this flighted trajectory is by changing your setup just a bit.
First off, you want your weight to be on your lead side. However, instead of putting the ball in the back of your stance, instead put it just forward of center.
“This is going to allow me that nice, downward attack angle,” McLachlin says. “It’s going to allow me good ball contact and it’s going to help me flight this ball low.”
Copy these setup keys and you can hit a flighted wedge into the greens like the pros do.
You’ll find much more of McLachlin’s advice at ShortGameChef.com, which provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short games. Through personalized tips, drills and expert insights, McLachlin helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
