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Writer's pictureAdrian Whitehead Golf

How to save strokes around the green by using your wedges



golfer chipping

Saving strokes around the green with your wedges involves a combination of technique, strategy, and practice. Here are some tips to help you improve:


1. Choose the Right Wedge


  • Pitching Wedge (PW): Good for longer chip shots or when you need to cover more distance.

  • Sand Wedge (SW): Ideal for greenside bunkers and shorter, higher shots.

  • Lob Wedge (LW): Best for very short, high shots over obstacles or when you need to stop the ball quickly.


save strokes around the green by using your wedges

2. Focus on Technique

  • Grip: Use a light grip pressure to maintain feel.

  • Stance: Position your feet shoulder-width apart, with weight slightly favoring your front foot.

  • Ball Position: For chips, play the ball in the middle or slightly back in your stance; for pitches, position it a bit forward.

  • Swing Path: Keep your arms and body working together. Use a pendulum motion for chipping, and maintain a smooth tempo.


3. Practice Different Lies

  • Tight Lies: Use a narrow stance and make a downward strike on the ball.

  • Thick Grass: Open the face slightly to help the club glide through the grass.

  • Bunkers: Focus on hitting the sand just before the ball; practice different types of sand shots.


4. Vary Your Shots

  • Chip Shots: Keep it low and run it up to the pin when possible.

  • Pitch Shots: Use a higher trajectory for soft landings near the hole.

  • Flop Shots: Use this only when necessary; practice for accuracy and control.


5. Work on Distance Control

  • Feel for Distance: Use different lengths of swings to control how far the ball goes.

  • Drills: Set up targets at various distances and practice hitting them consistently.


6. Read the Green

  • Pay attention to slopes and grain direction to understand how your ball will roll after landing.

  • Visualize your landing spot and aim for it to minimize the roll-out.


7. Short Game Routine

  • Develop a pre-shot routine to help you stay focused and calm under pressure.


8. Mental Game

  • Stay positive and trust your skills. Visualization can help enhance confidence.

9. Regular Practice

  • Spend time at the practice green working on various shots. Consistency is key.

10. Learn from Mistakes

  • Analyze your misses and adjust your technique or strategy accordingly.


By incorporating these strategies into your practice, you'll likely see improvements in your short game and save strokes around the green!




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