MISSING GREENS WITH YOUR WEDGES? GET INTO ATTACK MODE An aggressive approach to pitching starts at setup One area of the game where you should have a healthy expectation of success is pitching. Although wedge technology is better than ever, you still need to take advantage of it, so let’s review how to set up and swing when you’re trying to hit a green inside of, say, 50 yards. The common mistake because of the look of the club is to get into a setup where you can scoop the ball off the turf. Instead of hanging back with your body as I’m showing ( below, left ), which will likely cause you to hit it fat or thin, you should get into a more aggressive setup. Your sternum should be in front of the ball. I’m dangling a club from it ( below, right ) to show just how much my body and weight are favouring the target side of the ball. When you take the club back, feel even more weight on that side. All of this promotes a downward, ball-first strike. You’ll make crisp contact, allowing the club to deliver the shot into the green on a lower trajectory with a healthy amount of spin. This downward strike is exactly how the pros do it, which might run counter to what you’ve been told to do. If you can make solid contact and keep your pitch shots down like them, you’ll hit a lot more greens. – Jason Guss, Golf Digest Best in State Teacher, Naperville (Ill.) Country Club
TAYLORMADE Qi HL R22 000 (Steel)
GOLD
OVERALL RATING ★★★★★
• The multi-material
cap-back is lighter than the steel it replaces and wraps around the high-toe area. The reduced weight in that location makes it easier for golfers to square the clubface at impact, reducing the possibility of hitting a slice. • The centre of gravity is lower in the long irons
PERFORMANCE ★★★★★ INNOVATION ★★★★ ½ LOOK / SOUND / FEEL ★★★★ ½
to boost trajectory and progressively rises, allowing for
‘I got a ton of consistency. You get the impression you could hit multiple shots in a bucket, especially with the wedge. It also took the right side out of play.’ – 11-HANDICAP
controllable short-iron shots that don’t balloon during flight. • Top 5 in Performance, high-handicaps • Specs: 7-iron: 30 degrees; PW: 44.5 degrees
AESTHETICS
Plain
Elaborate
ACOUSTICS
Quieter
Louder
SENSORY
Softer
Firmer
LAUNCH
Lower
Higher
FORGIVENESS
Least
Most
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 101
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