Few shots in golf are more nerve-racking than an open-faced wedge from a tight lie. But with the right set up and a simple swing thought, you master the motion and execute this tricky shot with confidence.
Use the following keys from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Debbie Doniger to learn how to set up to this shot properly and the phrase that will help you make consistent contact every time.
Open stance, handle high
Begin with a narrow stance and your weight favoring your lead foot. Open your stance by aiming your feet and body left of the target (for right-handed golfers), then open the clubface to add loft. Raise the handle slightly so the club’s toe is sitting on the ground.
From there, position the ball slightly forward in your stance. Doniger explains that this adjustment helps open your shoulders and encourages the swing path you’ll need.
“The setup is key,” she says, “But the concept of the swing you’re trying to create is also key.”
Swing across and keep turning
Here’s where many golfers get into trouble: They get tentative.
When faced with a delicate shot, many amateurs will slow down or stop rotating through impact. This leads to inconsistent contact and a frustrating miss.
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Doniger’s advice? Swing out and across the ball while continuing to rotate your arms, chest and torso toward the target’s left.
“You do have to commit to rotating through,” she says.
That piece is critical. Opening the face helps create loft, but continued rotation is what allows you to deliver the club consistently. Remember, it’s rotation, not a last-second attempt to help the ball in the air.
Strike the match
The feel for this shot can be tricky. You don’t want to dig into the turf, but you don’t want to sweep the ball, either. Instead, Doniger offers a simple swing thought: “Strike the match.”
The idea is exactly what it sounds like. As the club moves through impact, imagine the toe brushing the grass as if you were striking a match. The goal is a shallow, controlled strike that clips the turf without digging too much.
It takes practice, but the payoff is worth it. With the right setup, committed rotation and a clean strike, you can confidently pull off this shot, even from tricky tight lies.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: golf.com
