FINESSE WEDGES OLD FUNDAMENTAL: Lean left and keep your hands ahead NEW FUNDAMENTAL: Set up open and swing weak – on purpose Around the greens, what I call finesse wedge shots, you almost always want the face of your club to be open to the path it swings on. You should also swing in control through the ball. This isn’t a full-out 5-iron swing.
Essentially, you’re trying to swing “weak” on purpose to create consistency, max forgiveness, spin and touch. The late, great short-game coach Phil Rodgers passed on his observations about how to set up and swing for these shots, and technology has since confirmed his teaching was spot on. The days of trying to lean the shaft forward with your hands and hit down on a chip are over. Instead, let me show you how to execute these shots in two parts: the setup and the swing.
ADDRESS: LEAN THE SHAFT, BUT ALSO OPEN THE FACE
This is the pro move you are likely missing. Set up in a very narrow stance, slightly open to your target with the ball positioned just inside your trail foot. Now, here’s the key: Lean the shaft slightly forward (5 to 7 degrees) and open the clubface the same amount ( left ). If you’ve been chunking or skulling your wedges, the combination of an open face and forward
shaft lean will do wonders for you.
96 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MARCH/APRIL 2024
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