Of all the embarrassing things that can happen on the golf course, chunking a wedge is one of the most frustrating. We’ve all experienced that swing where you put in the energy, but the ball ends up falling way short, forcing you to try again. This miss is often followed by a thin or skulled shot as a natural reaction. But don’t worry — this rollercoaster of poor contact can be corrected with a few adjustments.
Follow the six keys below from GOLF Top 100 teacher Kellie Stenzel and you’ll be making consistently pure contact in no time.
1. Nail your posture and setup
For all golf shots, especially short game shots with less swing speed, having the proper setup and posture is crucial. Bend from your hips so that your arms hang naturally below your shoulders. This creates the necessary space between your hands and thighs, which helps prevent the club from being too long relative to your body. If you’re too upright and crowded, your club will get stuck in the ground when your arms extend. I encourage my students to find the optimal distance between their hands and thighs when they make solid contact and then apply that distance consistently across all shots.
2. Engage the bounce
For the ball to get airborne, the bottom of the club must make contact with the ground, using the loft to lift the ball. To achieve this, it’s vital to set the club down properly with the leading edge perpendicular to the target line. Avoid twisting the club face, as a closed face can catch the ground and get stuck.
If you find this challenging, consider using a club designed to assist with setup. Ping’s new BunkR wedge, for example, features a high loft and bounce, which makes setting the club properly on the ground easier.
PING BunkR Custom Wedge
The BunkR is engineered to help golfers who struggle out of bunkers make an easy exit and land the ball close. Because of its loft, wide sole, and iconic EYE2-style shaping, you’re able to employ a normal, square-faced technique to get up and down from the bunker.
Easy Escapes
Relying on the confidence-inspiring Eye2 shaping, extra loft and the wide sole of the BunkR, getting the ball onto the green has never been easier.
Friendly Bounce
With 14.5° of bounce, the club moves easily through the sand and generates more ball speed to launch the ball high and out of trouble.
Lots of Loft
With 64° of loft, the BunkR helps pop the ball up high and onto the green with ease, setting you up for more-makeable putts.
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3. Find the correct ball position
Ball position plays a key role in short game shots. If you tend to strike the ground too soon or too often, the ball’s position is critical. Placing the ball too far back in your stance can cause the leading edge to dig into the ground. However, placing it too far forward can result in hitting the ground before the ball.
To find your ideal ball position, take a practice swing and note where the club hits the ground relative to your feet. Once you identify the bottom of your swing arc, position the ball just behind that spot during your setup.
4. Adjust your grip
If you have a strong grip and tend to hook or draw the ball, you may want to adjust your grip for short game shots. A strong grip can cause the club face to close, which works fine for full swings but can lead to digging with slower, shorter swings.
By rotating your hands slightly toward the target, you can keep the face from closing too much, allowing the club to glide better through the turf. While this may feel odd or weak at first, it can be the key to preventing the club from getting stuck.
5. Learn the difference between a chip and pitch
Proper setup is essential for both chip and pitch shots. A chip shot is typically low and designed to roll more than it flies. When hitting a chip, avoid leaning the club handle too far forward — aim to keep your body weight evenly distributed.
For a pitch shot, which requires more carry and less roll, using the bounce of the club is crucial. You can use a lob, sand, or gap wedge for this type of shot, as these clubs have a rounded sole designed to glide through the turf without digging in. Make sure your wedges are properly fitted for your swing, as the right clubs make a significant difference.
I recommend my students get fitted at TrueSpec Golf, where they can be properly fitted on grass, which is essential for wedge fitting.
6. Have a balanced finish
A forward swing with good momentum and a balanced finish is key to ensuring the club doesn’t get stuck. Remember: objects in motion stay in motion. A smooth, forward swing allows the club to glide through the turf and bottom out at the correct spot. A balanced finish also helps you ensure that you’ve transferred your weight correctly to your front foot.
