Top teacher Ryan Hager explains why the hands must win the race
Poor contact with wedges is a real score killer because these are the shots that you’re supposed to hit close. Good ones lead to par saves and easy birdie putts. Unfortunately, many amateurs don’t capitalize when they’re close to the green because they typically hit their wedges way too high. Remember, these clubs come with a lot of loft so the mistake is to add even more at impact by trying to scoop these shots into the air. You’ll never control distance that way. Here I’ve put an alignment rod in the ground to represent my ball position and a small pointer on my wedge's clubface to indicate the shot’s trajectory. Note the difference between an amateur's typical impact position (below, left) and the impact look you’d want to be a better wedge player (below, right). See the difference in how the ball will come off the club? Also, check my hands. I’ll get to their role in a moment.
JAMES FARRELL
JAMES FARRELL
Good wedge play is all about hitting the ball pin-high, and my finish-line drill is a great way to learn how to compress these shots and lower your trajectory—and that's the real key to distance control. Grab an alignment rod or some other marker and place it next to your golf ball and then get into your address position. Your weight should favor your front foot, and your hands should be slightly ahead of the marker (below).
JAMES FARRELL
Now it’s time to hit some shots. Your goal should be to have your hands pass the stick (the finish line) before the clubhead strikes the ball (below).
JAMES FARRELL
JAMES FARRELL
When your hands win the race, you’ll immediately get the feel of better contact and then see the ball bore through the air versus ballooning too high. One thing to be mindful of is to not “cheat” by yanking your arms forward without rotating your body toward the target. Your arms and body should move through together. That’s how you get good compression.
Ryan Hager, one of Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America, is director of instruction at Plainfield Country Club in Edison, N.J.
Category: General Sports
