The secret of the sand wedge.

[joeparr]

No I havent got it but I would like to know how to hit it straight. Also I cant hit it far, it goes high and short, 50 yrds is not good for me. Do you swing a sand wedge different? What is the proper way if any?....joe

[conkanen]

Interesting Question...I have the same problem with gap wedge (52 degree). I make very good contact but I have a job to hit it 95 -100 yards yet I can get a driver out there 260 on the fly. *shrug*

[BIGBALL]

It's all about compressing the ball. If you are not taking a nice divot after the ball with the higher lofted clubs, you are not getting the most out of them. Most players, in my experience, who hit wedges short, generally are flippers.

[Jim Kobylinski]

Originally Posted by BIGBALL

It's all about compressing the ball. If you are not taking a nice divot after the ball with the higher lofted clubs, you are not getting the most out of them. Most players, in my experience, who hit wedges short, generally are flippers.

If you hit the ball it compresses; it's about the effective loft at impact and spin.

If you are creating more loft on the club and spinning it too much it won't go anywhere. If you have too soft a shaft or one of those "spinner" wedge shafts in them, again they don't really go anywhere.

If you have a wedge that spins a ton like a spin millled, callaway MD groove, taylormade Y/Z groove head they don't go as far either.

Usually when you have someone who are hitting wedges shorter than they think they should go is because their effective loft at impact is MORE than the stated loft on the club

[tongzilla]

I hit my wedges 'short' relative to my long irons and driver. Definitely not because I flip. I'm so happy I don't hit 145 yard pitching wedges like I used to.

[joeparr]

Thanks jim makes sense, by the way were do you have the ball in the stance and do you play with an open stance and is it hit with a full swing?...joe

[Jim Kobylinski]

Originally Posted by joeparr

Thanks jim makes sense, by the way were do you have the ball in the stance and do you play with an open stance and is it hit with a full swing?...joe

I know this isn't the answer you want but it depends on what i'm trying to do. But if it's a regular ole wedge shot:

Ball up in my stance
Slightly open stance
"Feel like" a smooth 3/4 swing every time

This keeps me consistent

[joeparr]

Thanks again jim, I`ll work on it and get back to you....joe

[BIGBALL]

Originally Posted by Jim Kobylinski

If you hit the ball it compresses; it's about the effective loft at impact and spin.

If you are creating more loft on the club and spinning it too much it won't go anywhere. If you have too soft a shaft or one of those "spinner" wedge shafts in them, again they don't really go anywhere.

If you have a wedge that spins a ton like a spin millled, callaway MD groove, taylormade Y/Z groove head they don't go as far either.

Usually when you have someone who are hitting wedges shorter than they think they should go is because their effective loft at impact is MORE than the stated loft on the club

Definitely agree with you about the shorter distances of the spin milled wedges! I have 56 & 60 vokeys, and they are 5 - 10 yards shorter than the wedges I used to have. ( But they feel soooo much better lol! ) Even worse if there is even a slight breeze in my face Guess that's the price we pay to hold more greens

[birdie_man]

"No I haven't got it but..."

joeparr's the best.