Distance and Trajectory Control with wedges

[Paul Caligiuri]

How do you guys control height and distance with your wedge shots? I'm talking anything between 30 and 110 yards. Messing around at the range today I seemed to hit on something with my PW and SW that was pretty predictable:

-Keep tempo the same for every shot
-Keep set-up and ball position the same on every shot
-Control distance with the length of the backswing
-Control trajectory with the height of the follow through

[MSaternus]

I tend to control trajectory with my set up.  Ball position stays constant, but I put my hands anywhere from even with the ball (high) to wwaaaayyy in front (low).  Distance is controlled by the length of the backswing.

[GavinC]

How do you guys control height and distance with your wedge shots? I'm talking anything between 30 and 110 yards. Messing around at the range today I seemed to hit on something with my PW and SW that was pretty predictable:

-Keep tempo the same for every shot
-Keep set-up and ball position the same on every shot
-Control distance with the length of the backswing
-Control trajectory with the height of the follow through

Yea I like this but when I need to hit it lower or higher I will focus more on attack angle, not follow through.
Obviously my follow through will be different but not by much.

If I want to hit it higher and land it soft I hit down on the ball, focusing on hitting above the equator of the ball.
If I want it lower I'll hit at or below the equator = smaller and much more crisp and divot.

[br61]

Yea I like this but when I need to hit it lower or higher I will focus more on attack angle, not follow through.
Obviously my follow through will be different but not by much.

If I want to hit it higher and land it soft I hit down on the ball, focusing on hitting above the equator of the ball.
If I want it lower I'll hit at or below the equator = smaller and much more crisp and divot.

Above equator of the ball? Wouldn't that cause bladed shots or topped shots? I feel like I"m very good inside 100 yards but I never heard of hitting the ball at above equator of the ball.

Can you explain your reasonings if you don't mind?

[Jaylasvegas]

Above equator of the ball? Wouldn't that cause bladed shots or topped shots? I feel like I"m very good inside 100 yards but I never heard of hitting the ball at above equator of the ball.

Can you explain your reasonings if you don't mind?

I gotta agree with Bill here,  I hope he is referring to trapping the ball a bit more to control distance and spin but to be honest, I pretty much go off of feel and it works out,  if I over analyze how far to make my back swing or follow thru, im going to hit a POS with no tempo

[JJ17]

Above equator of the ball? Wouldn't that cause bladed shots or topped shots? I feel like I"m very good inside 100 yards but I never heard of hitting the ball at above equator of the ball.

Can you explain your reasonings if you don't mind?

Maybe he meant to say that he "aims" above the equator of the ball?

[br61]

I gotta agree with Bill here,  I hope he is referring to trapping the ball a bit more to control distance and spin but to be honest, I pretty much go off of feel and it works out,  if I over analyze how far to make my back swing or follow thru, im going to hit a POS with no tempo

I feel the same, I try to keep my swing thoughts very simple. Too many thoughts between my ears, I will overanalyze and suck in golf.

As for myself, with my short shots, I'll focus on making a good and clean contact with a nice, controlled tempo.

[nobogeys59]

Yeah Im a feel player and I dont think about anything, I see the shot I want to hit and let my body do the rest 

[OptimalFlight]

How do you guys control height and distance with your wedge shots? I'm talking anything between 30 and 110 yards. Messing around at the range today I seemed to hit on something with my PW and SW that was pretty predictable:

-Keep tempo the same for every shot
-Keep set-up and ball position the same on every shot
-Control distance with the length of the backswing
-Control trajectory with the height of the follow through

Great observation!  The OptimalClub iphone app will allow you to record partial swing distances via % of your normal swing.  It offers a visual picture of the swing.  For example, see this picture #3 for PW @ 90% of normal swing.

http://www.optimalclub.com/#screenshots

It also offers an entry for personal note for swing thought to execute the shot.  It could relate to how you are gripping the club, set up, feet, or anything that helps you remember what to do.

Regards,
Todd

[Typhoon]

nothing... saw my answer in another post...

[GavinC]

Above equator of the ball? Wouldn't that cause bladed shots or topped shots? I feel like I"m very good inside 100 yards but I never heard of hitting the ball at above equator of the ball.

Can you explain your reasonings if you don't mind?

Well for me this is more of a swing thought/idea. But yea it is how it sounds. Control your swing, keep yours wrists hinged, keep your shoulders moving and make square contact.
You will not blade it or top it with out a break down in your fundamentals. You could say "trapping" it a little more but I do not like the word "trapping" and I would never approach a shot with the mentality to "trap" it.

What I am getting at is a full shot equates to a full divot, high soft landing biter (for me).
If I want to lower that or spin it (I play a lower trajectory shot when I want to throw some zip on the ball) I'll focus on hitting ball then turf but not driving the ball hard into the ground. One could say a more shallow impact area.

Pro Tip (sarcasm): On the range or on my practice rounds I'll put the logo of the ball towards the back and a little up, this helps give me something to aim for while getting me to hit ball first. So basically place the logo where you want to make contact whether it be a little inside with the driver or something to aim at with the wedge.