Instruction
Do you know the wedge swing?
If you’re like many amateur golfers, your wedge play could use some improvement. You might even be a player who is willing to practice the short game, but you just can’t seem to get the results you’re looking for. Well, I have good news: It’s probably not your fault your wedges are under performing.
Historically, the instruction community has neglected wedge play due to the fact that most golfers prefer to work on their iron swings or try increase their driving distance. Thus, we (golf instructors) have focused mainly on the full swing, which has been invented and re-invented hundreds of times over the last few decades. I would be remiss if I neglected to mention the great work done by short game specialists Stan Utley, James Sieckmann, Dave Pelz and others, but by and large most books, articles and videos target full-swing instruction in some way.
Because of this lack of information, the wedge game and wedge swing remain mysteries to most golfers and they have been left to themselves to decipher the code of short game. Most golfers try to apply their full swing knowledge to the wedge swing and find it to be ineffective. Some try a half swing while others try slower swings, but that fact of the matter is that a wedge swing is not a regular golf swing.
I recognized this difference in technique my first year coaching players on the PGA Tour. When I observed the professionals chipping and pitching, not only were they in total control of the golf ball but their address positions and wedge swings were completely different from what I had learned as a player and taught as an instructor.
Fundamentally, the stance used by the great wedge players for wedge shots, pitches and chips was only slightly open, probably only 15 or 20 degrees. The ball position was well back in the stance for standard wedge shots and then forward for high, soft shots. I was taught to have a very open stance for all short game shots and the ball was usually positioned in the middle or slightly toward my back foot.
Backswing on plane with a square club face.
The wedge swing itself was incredibly different from what I had been taught. In short, they swung the club back with the club face in a semi-closed position.
Wedge swinging through open, but still square to the plane.
They then kept it open coming through impact. They also swung the club on a much lower circle, or a more inside path than I thought was correct.
Wedge swinging back on plane with a square/semi-closed face.
This lower swing plane allowed the sole of the wedge to hit the grass before contact, creating a sweeping action where the bounce kept the club from digging into the turf. I could see from this technique that the ball simply rolled up the face of the club and then landed softly on the green. This type of swing also allows the player to control distance and direction because of the face staying square to the plane through impact.
Additionally, they looked incredibly soft in their hands and arms and were actually allowing the wrists to move freely during most of their chips and pitches. My old chipping method was very stiff in the wrists and usually included a great deal of grip pressure.
As you can imagine, I quickly adopted the new technique for my own game and was blown away at the results. For the first time in my life I was able to chip and pitch with control and accuracy. My students also benefitted from learning this wedge swing and their feedback has been incredibly positive.
Examples of great wedge players are Lee Trevino, Jordan Spieth, Steve Stricker and 2015 Open Champion Zach Johnson, to name a few. They all swing the wedge into the ball on a shallow angle, with a club face square or slightly closed on approach. This allows them to make the “closed-to-open” swing and control the ball with ease. They also pull their lead elbow around and behind their body as they turn through the shot; one the secrets of this technique. This elbow motion might also be called a chicken wing on a full swing, but it is an essential ingredient in a wedge swing.
Left elbow bending through impact, then moving back and around.
Finally, this article would be incomplete without mentioning wedge fitting and how professionals have their wedges adjusted to fit their swings. Wedges built by the big-name manufacturers come in a variety of lofts and bounce numbers, but almost all of them are made with a 64-degree lie angle. This is interesting because most good wedge players have their wedges bent down to a 62-degree lie angle or less. The reason for this adjustment is that if the wedge has a lie angle that is too upright, the heel of the wedge will dig into the turf on impact and cause the face to close down. As the club slams shut on impact, the ball will go low and left or the player might simply hit a chunk shot that comes up far short of the target.
If the wedge is bent to the flatter, 62-degree lie angle, the toe of the club may get caught in the grass, but even if does the club will then open through impact and keep moving with ease. Most avid golfers are aware of the importance of the loft and bounce numbers, but few know about adjusting the lie angle to improve performance.
My hope in writing this article is that you will understand how to adjust the lie angle on your wedges, learn a correct wedge swing and be able to practice effectively. A great wedge game will improve your proximity to the hole on approach shots and allow you to recover from errant shots.
There may be no more painful affliction in golf than the “yips” – those uncontrollable and maddening little nervous twitches that prevent you from making a decent stroke on short putts. If you’ve never had them, consider yourself very fortunate (or possibly just very young). But I can assure you that when your most treacherous and feared golf shot is not the 195 yard approach over water with a quartering headwind…not the extra tight fairway with water left and sand right…not the soft bunker shot to a downhill pin with water on the other side…No, when your most feared shot is the remaining 2- 4-foot putt after hitting a great approach, recovery or lag putt, it makes the game almost painful.
And I’ve been fighting the yips (again) for a while now. It’s a recurring nightmare that has haunted me most of my adult life. I even had the yips when I was in my 20s, but I’ve beat them into submission off and on most of my adult life. But just recently, that nasty virus came to life once again. My lag putting has been very good, but when I get over one of those “you should make this” length putts, the entire nervous system seems to go haywire. I make great practice strokes, and then the most pitiful short-stroke or jab at the ball you can imagine. Sheesh.
But I’m a traditionalist, and do not look toward the long putter, belly putter, cross-hand, claw or other variation as the solution. My approach is to beat those damn yips into submission some other way. Here’s what I’m doing that is working pretty well, and I offer it to all of you who might have a similar affliction on the greens.
When you are over a short putt, forget the practice strokes…you want your natural eye-hand coordination to be unhindered by mechanics. Address your putt and take a good look at the hole, and back to the putter to ensure good alignment. Lighten your right hand grip on the putter and make sure that only the fingertips are in contact with the grip, to prevent you from getting to tight.
Then, take a long, long look at the hole to fill your entire mind and senses with the target. When you bring your head/eyes back to the ball, try to make a smooth, immediate move right into your backstroke — not even a second pause — and then let your hands and putter track right back together right back to where you were looking — the HOLE! Seeing the putter make contact with the ball, preferably even the forward edge of the ball – the side near the hole.
For me, this is working, but I am asking all of you to chime in with your own “home remedies” for the most aggravating and senseless of all golf maladies. It never hurts to have more to fall back on!
Over the last couple of decades, golf has become much more science-based. We measure swing speed, smash factor, angle of attack, strokes gained, and many other metrics that can really help golfers improve. But I often wonder if the advancement of golf’s “hard” sciences comes at the expense of the “soft” sciences.
Take, for example, golf instruction. Good golf instruction requires understanding swing mechanics and ball flight. But let’s take that as a given for PGA instructors. The other factors that make an instructor effective can be evaluated by social science, rather than launch monitors.
If you are a recreational golfer looking for a golf instructor, here are my top three points to consider.
1. Cultural mindset
What is “cultural mindset? To social scientists, it means whether a culture of genius or a culture of learning exists. In a golf instruction context, that may mean whether the teacher communicates a message that golf ability is something innate (you either have it or you don’t), or whether golf ability is something that can be learned. You want the latter!
It may sound obvious to suggest that you find a golf instructor who thinks you can improve, but my research suggests that it isn’t a given. In a large sample study of golf instructors, I found that when it came to recreational golfers, there was a wide range of belief systems. Some instructors strongly believed recreational golfers could improve through lessons. while others strongly believed they could not. And those beliefs manifested in the instructor’s feedback given to a student and the culture created for players.
2. Coping and self-modeling can beat role-modeling
Swing analysis technology is often preloaded with swings of PGA and LPGA Tour players. The swings of elite players are intended to be used for comparative purposes with golfers taking lessons. What social science tells us is that for novice and non-expert golfers, comparing swings to tour professionals can have the opposite effect of that intended. If you fit into the novice or non-expert category of golfer, you will learn more and be more motivated to change if you see yourself making a ‘better’ swing (self-modeling) or seeing your swing compared to a similar other (a coping model). Stay away from instructors who want to compare your swing with that of a tour player.
3. Learning theory basics
It is not a sexy selling point, but learning is a process, and that process is incremental – particularly for recreational adult players. Social science helps us understand this element of golf instruction. A good instructor will take learning slowly. He or she will give you just about enough information that challenges you, but is still manageable. The artful instructor will take time to decide what that one or two learning points are before jumping in to make full-scale swing changes. If the instructor moves too fast, you will probably leave the lesson with an arm’s length of swing thoughts and not really know which to focus on.
As an instructor, I develop a priority list of changes I want to make in a player’s technique. We then patiently and gradually work through that list. Beware of instructors who give you more than you can chew.
So if you are in the market for golf instruction, I encourage you to look beyond the X’s and O’s to find the right match!
Most pros take months, even years, to win their first tournament. Lottie Woad needed exactly four days.
The 21-year-old from Surrey shot 21-under 267 at Dundonald Links to win the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open by three shots — in her very first event as a professional. She’s only the third player in LPGA history to accomplish this feat, joining Rose Zhang (2023) and Beverly Hanson (1951).
But here’s what caught my attention as a coach: Woad didn’t win through miraculous putting or bombing 300-yard drives. She won through relentless precision and unshakeable composure. After watching her performance unfold, I’m convinced every golfer — from weekend warriors to scratch players — can steal pages from her playbook.
Precision Beats Power (And It’s Not Even Close)
Forget the driving contests. Woad proved that finding greens matters more than finding distance.
What Woad did:
• Hit it straight, hit it solid, give yourself chances
• Aimed for the fat parts of greens instead of chasing pins
• Let her putting do the talking after hitting safe targets
• As she said, “Everyone was chasing me today, and managed to maintain the lead and played really nicely down the stretch and hit a lot of good shots”
Why most golfers mess this up:
• They see a pin tucked behind a bunker and grab one more club to “go right at it”
• Distance becomes more important than accuracy
• They try to be heroic instead of smart
ACTION ITEM: For your next 10 rounds, aim for the center of every green regardless of pin position. Track your greens in regulation and watch your scores drop before your swing changes.
The Putter That Stayed Cool Under Fire
Woad started the final round two shots clear and immediately applied pressure with birdies at the 2nd and 3rd holes. When South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim mounted a charge and reached 20-under with a birdie at the 14th, Woad didn’t panic.
How she responded to pressure:
• Fired back with consecutive birdies at the 13th and 14th
• Watched Kim stumble with back-to-back bogeys
• Capped it with her fifth birdie of the day at the par-5 18th
• Stayed patient when others pressed, pressed when others cracked
What amateurs do wrong:
• Get conservative when they should be aggressive
• Try to force magic when steady play would win
• Panic when someone else makes a move
ACTION ITEM: Practice your 3-6 foot putts for 15 minutes after every range session. Woad’s putting wasn’t spectacular—it was reliable. Make the putts you should make.
Course Management 101: Play Your Game, Not the Course’s Game
Woad admitted she couldn’t see many scoreboards during the final round, but it didn’t matter. She stuck to her game plan regardless of what others were doing.
Her mental approach:
• Focused on her process, not the competition
• Drew on past pressure situations (Augusta National Women’s Amateur win)
• As she said, “That was the biggest tournament I played in at the time and was kind of my big win. So definitely felt the pressure of it more there, and I felt like all those experiences helped me with this”
Her physical execution:
• 270-yard drives (nothing flashy)
• Methodical iron play
• Steady putting
• Everything effective, nothing spectacular
ACTION ITEM: Create a yardage book for your home course. Know your distances to every pin, every hazard, every landing area. Stick to your plan no matter what your playing partners are doing.
Mental Toughness Isn’t Born, It’s Built
The most impressive part of Woad’s win? She genuinely didn’t expect it: “I definitely wasn’t expecting to win my first event as a pro, but I knew I was playing well, and I was hoping to contend.”
Her winning mindset:
• Didn’t put winning pressure on herself
• Focused on playing well and contending
• Made winning a byproduct of a good process
• Built confidence through recent experiences:
- Won the Women’s Irish Open as an amateur
- Missed a playoff by one shot at the Evian Championship
- Each experience prepared her for the next
What this means for you:
• Stop trying to shoot career rounds every time you tee up
• Focus on executing your pre-shot routine
• Commit to every shot
• Stay present in the moment
ACTION ITEM: Before each round, set process goals instead of score goals. Example: “I will take three practice swings before every shot” or “I will pick a specific target for every shot.” Let your score be the result, not the focus.
The Real Lesson
Woad collected $300,000 for her first professional victory, but the real prize was proving that fundamentals still work at golf’s highest level. She didn’t reinvent the game — she simply executed the basics better than everyone else that week.
The fundamentals that won:
• Hit more fairways
• Find more greens
• Make the putts you should make
• Stay patient under pressure
That’s something every golfer can do, regardless of handicap. Lottie Woad just showed us it’s still the winning formula.
FINAL ACTION ITEM: Pick one of the four action items above and commit to it for the next month. Master one fundamental before moving to the next. That’s how champions are built.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” on RG.org each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more Tips!
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Jamho3
Mar 27, 2019 at 4:17 am
This has been an incredibly helpful article, Ive finally felt it and seen the consistant carry and spin. More please!
Billy
Sep 3, 2015 at 4:04 am
Mike
If you fully understand lie angles you will know that the reason why an upright lie angle makes the ball go left (right handers) is not because the heel of the club diggs into the turf shutting the face, but because the loft/face plane angle makes the club aim more left even though the leading edge might be square to target. Most player will have the tendency to pull short irons and push long irons because longer clubs are swung on a flatter plane, therefore allot of better player prefer flatter lie angles in wedges. The more loft the more the lie angle will affect aim..
Good article non the less!!
Doc Todd
Sep 1, 2015 at 6:56 am
My new wedges are bent 2 degrees flat to match my irons. After playing standard lie wedges my whole life, I can say that my consistency was much improved from day 1 with the new wedges. The flatter lie angle helped eliminate that “left shot” the author described.
Joe
Aug 29, 2015 at 12:56 pm
It would really help me if I could see a video of the wedge swing. Youtube.
Ronald Montesano
Aug 30, 2015 at 7:18 pm
Amen and +1. Give us a video and some commentary.
Cwolf
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:52 pm
I can’t say that I understand the flat lie angle. If making wedges at 62* could allow wedges to perform better, why wouldn’t manufactures start at 62* to begin with?? Perhaps it is more appropriate to state that better wedge players typically have a flatter angle of attack?
KN
Aug 26, 2015 at 8:35 pm
Good subject matter. They’re called scoring clubs for a good reason. You can watch your score go up or down according to how much time you dedicate to these less glamorous clubs. Now if I could just putt worth a damn.
Steve
Aug 26, 2015 at 12:35 pm
Finally, an instruction article without the word “Trackman”
Thanks!
Ed
Aug 26, 2015 at 8:32 am
The article could have used a bit more how to or been illustrated better with pictures. This is something most of us would be interested in but not enough information.
Jack
Aug 26, 2015 at 7:52 am
This article is in line with the Stan Utley method, and that method can certainly work.
Dave Pelz advocates a more upright plan for short wedge swing, and his students, including Tom Kite and Tom Jenkins, have been among the best short wedge players the game has ever seen. I prefer the Pelz method, since it requires no manipulation whatsover by the hands or forearms. A closed to open method does require such manipulation.
Matto
Aug 26, 2015 at 4:19 am
I DO know the wedge swing. I reckon I’d be almost a 1 handicapper for wedges & driving, but Christ my mid to low irons can be deplorable. **hit & hope.
jakeanderson
Aug 26, 2015 at 4:00 am
very interesting! please include video!
other paul
Aug 25, 2015 at 10:28 pm
In your article you said in one place that the club appears closed in the back swing and then stays open after impact before closing in the follow through (which is closed->square->open to path) and then you said that they were keeping their face square to their path, which they aren’t…
Just pointing out that you contradicted yourself, unless I read it wrong. Which is possible…
Jack
Aug 31, 2015 at 6:21 am
That’s what I read too. Oh well. It’s pretty hard to describe everything. That’s why a video would have been nice like others are saying.
Ken
Aug 25, 2015 at 9:12 pm
This is the kind of stuff that brings me back to Golf WRX. Great article.
KK
Aug 25, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Great info. Thanks!
Private
Aug 25, 2015 at 6:28 pm
I know Sieckmann is an advocate of flattening the lie angle on wedges. Does 1 or 2 degrees really make that much of a difference?
Jm
Aug 25, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Yes. 1-2 degrees is noticable when chipping. Especially if you like to open the face or use the heel up method.
Philip
Aug 25, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Been having some issues with my wedge shots in general – I’ll work on it this weekend, thanks.