Engaging this body part is key to hitting perfect pitch shots

Seventy yards: That’s all between you and the pin — whether it’s your second shot into a par 4 or your third on a par 5. It’s a common distance for a lot of rec players, the majority of whom will try to muscle a full sand wedge to get this one tight. That’s really not the way to go about it.

From this range, it’s important to control trajectory and spin, not necessarily to impress your buddies with how hard you can lay into a sand iron. The smart play here is to grab your gap wedge, choke down a solid three inches and hit the shot with a controlled motion that — despite what you’ve read or been told — uses body action and hardly any hands.

Here’s the trick, which works for any kind of mid-distance wedge. As you settle into address, make sure the grip points at your stomach, with the ball positioned in the middle of your stance and 60 percent of your weight over your front foot. As you swing, turn your belly as you motion the club, keeping the grip pointed at your midsection going back, at impact and — important — in your follow-through.

If you maintain this relationship and refrain from any excess hand action, you’ll always get these shots close

Scott Munroe is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who teaches at The Boca Raton Club in Boca Raton, Fla., and Nantucket GC in Siasconset, Mass.

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