Golf-FAQ.com

golf how to hit a sand wedge

by Nick Nitzsche Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

When you have a good lie in a greenside bunker and you want to hit your sand wedge, play it like you would any normal bunker shot. Enter the sand about a couple inches behind the ball, and let the bounce of the club slide the clubface underneath the ball, lifting the ball into the air.

Part of a video titled How to hit a Chip and run golf shot with a Sand Wedge.
1:09
4:32
I'm gonna play this like a chip but it's a really low chip with the sand wedge. And I'm gonna try toMoreI'm gonna play this like a chip but it's a really low chip with the sand wedge. And I'm gonna try to land it into this slope here. And hope that it rolls up close to the hole.

Full Answer

How far should you hit a 60-degree wedge?

Depending on the golfer's clubhead speed and ball position in their golf stance, the average distance of a golf ball struck with a 60-degree wedge is about 50-75 yards . Professional golfers can hit their 60-degree wedge around 100 yards while beginning golfers hit their 60-degree an average of about 30 yards .

How far to hit a 54 degree wedge?

The 54-degree wedge is best for playing in 100 to 115 yards whereas the 58-degree wedge is ideal for a smaller area of fewer than 100 yards. The 54-degree wedge works well for chipping around the green.

How to hit wedges like Dustin Johnson?

Turn your weak slice into something more like Dustin Johnson's power fade

  • CHECK THE ALIGNMENT OF YOUR FEET AND YOUR SHOULDERS. ...
  • GET OFF TO A WIDE START. ...
  • MAKE SURE YOUR LEAD WRIST DOESN’T CUP. ...
  • MOVE MORE VERTICALLY INTO THE BALL. ...
  • DON’T TRY TO CURVE IT, JUST HIT IT HARDER. ...
  • FULLY EXTEND YOUR ARMS AND CLUB THROUGH IMPACT. ...

What is the key to hitting high spinning wedges?

The key points of the low spinning wedge shot are:

  • Put the ball in the back of your stance
  • Lower the club shaft angle
  • Make a low, shortened backswing
  • Make a full body rotation through the shot
  • Keep your club low at finish

image

How do you hit a sand wedge for beginners?

8:2612:59GOLF: The Best Way To Hit Wedges And Short Irons Close To The HoleYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you start from there we'll get to that in a minute so 90 for me is shoulder to shoulder. So be aMoreAnd you start from there we'll get to that in a minute so 90 for me is shoulder to shoulder. So be a 90 yards shot feet a little wider ball. Position still the same. Still keeping my tempo the same.

What ball position is correct for a sand wedge?

0:474:44Pitch Shots: Wedge Selection, Ball Position, Range of Motion - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe ball is the easier it is to make the ball stay low the more forward of center the ball is placedMoreThe ball is the easier it is to make the ball stay low the more forward of center the ball is placed the easier it is to make it go high when you're hitting pit shots.

When should you hit a sand wedge?

2:463:46GOLF: When You SHOULD Be Using Your Sand Wedge - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf I'm trying to chip it really close to the hole and get up-and-down at a higher skill level I'mMoreIf I'm trying to chip it really close to the hole and get up-and-down at a higher skill level I'm probably using sand wedge for this so as a loose rule if you have more green than fairway or rough to

How far should a beginner hit a sand wedge?

Wedges. The pitching wedge should will hit the ball 60 to 80 yards for beginners, 100 to 125 yards for average players and 115 to 135 yards for professionals. The sand wedge distance should be 40 to 60, 80 to 100 and 90 to 115.

How do you hit a sand wedge 100 yards?

0:546:16The Top Tips to Hit the 100 Yard Shot in Golf | Mr. Short Game - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHit full swings 200 yards always do like a three-quarter style swing to the hundred yard sign. AndMoreHit full swings 200 yards always do like a three-quarter style swing to the hundred yard sign. And mix it up hit like pitching wedge 9-iron 8 irons gap.

How do you hit a chip shot with a sand wedge?

0:161:33Sand Wedge Chipping Golf Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo open the face. And just just accelerate through it and that had good spin on it good directionMoreSo open the face. And just just accelerate through it and that had good spin on it good direction and that left me in a good position for the next shot.

Should I be chipping with a sand wedge?

For the average golfer, chipping with a sand wedge should only be used when you need to get the ball over an obstacle. A sand wedge is much more prone to chunking or topping the ball, and is why most golfers should use a gap or pitching wedge in most cases. For me, my sand wedge is my highest lofted club (56 degrees).

Do pros use a sand wedge?

80% of the top 100 PGA Tour golfers use 4 wedges with the other 20% using 3. The most common wedge set up used by 51% is a pitching wedge that matches their irons, & 3 specialist wedges including a gap wedge ranging from 50° to 52°, a sand wedge from 54° to 58° degrees & a lob wedge from 58° to 63°.

Is a sand wedge good for chipping?

The sand wedge is the wedge that is the best for chipping. With a sand wedge, you can fly the ball reasonably close to the pin, and expect it only to roll a few feet. Sand wedges are great out of the bunker, and they provide a ton of spin even on shots out of the rough.

Which wedge is best for chipping?

What degree wedge is best for chipping? For most golfers, a gap wedge or a sand wedge with loft of between 52° and 56° will produce the most consistent outcome when chipping. This is because you'll be able to play most short-game shots you're likely to come across out on the course.

Is a sand wedge the same as a 56?

A 56-degree wedge is considered a sand wedge and is mainly used for hitting out of the sand and chipping around the green. A 56-degree wedge is one of the most used clubs and is the highest loft an average golfer should carry.

How far should an average golfer hit a 7 iron?

172 - 215 ydsThe average distance golfers hit each club varies widely. A PGA Tour player hits a 7-iron between 172-215 yards....Average Distances for PGA Tour Players.ClubAverage Distance7 Iron172 - 215 yds8 Iron160 - 200 yds9 Iron148 - 185 ydsPitching Wedge136 - 170 yds7 more rows

Where should ball be in my stance for wedges?

What to do? To keep the shot down with a high-lofted wedge, play the ball farther back in your stance than normal—nearly in line with your back foot (above). Also, set up in a narrow stance to maintain balance and to prevent overswinging. Staying in control leads to solid contact for predictable ball flight and spin.

Where should the ball be on wedge shots?

0:152:263 ball positions for a 50 meter wedge shot - Golf Tip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow I can see that the ball position is on the right foot in the middle and on my front foot. SoMoreNow I can see that the ball position is on the right foot in the middle and on my front foot. So back foot is going to go lower. This is going to be the normal flight.

Where should the golf ball be when hitting a wedge?

27:1431:54Hit Your Wedges Like a Pro With These Simple Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's really easy to thin shots. If you start doing that as i lean the handle. Forward. Now itMoreAnd it's really easy to thin shots. If you start doing that as i lean the handle. Forward. Now it starts to pull that leading edge closer to the turf. And i can hit it lower on the golf. Ball.

Where do you put the ball in a stance wedge?

0:593:20Where to Put the Ball in your Stance with Driver, Irons, Wedges - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAhead of the center part of my stance. And again this line here this cane points to the exactMoreAhead of the center part of my stance. And again this line here this cane points to the exact position where the golf ball should be positioned.

How to swing a sand wedge?

With a sand wedge, the goal is to use the bounce and focus on working the club through the rough into the ball. Take the club far enough back and make a full enough swing so that you have enough momentum to get the club through the grass. If you don’t, the grass will catch and slow your clubface and you will likely make bad contact with the ball. ...

What is the difference between a sand wedge and an iron?

The sand wedge also has a shorter shaft than longer irons, at about 33-37 inches. A sand wedge generally has a wider sole (the surface at the bottom of the club) and has more bounce than other irons. The term bounce refers to the quality or feature of an iron that allows it to “skim” the ground near the bottom of the swing arc.

What is the loft of a sand wedge?

Although the sand wedge is so named because it’s typically used to hit bunker shots, it is essentially just an iron with a clubface loft of around 54°-56°, which is generally in between a gap wedge and a lob wedge. The sand wedge also has a shorter shaft than longer irons, at about 33-37 inches. A sand wedge generally has a wider sole (the surface ...

What happens if you don't rotate your golf club?

If you don’t, the grass will catch and slow your clubface and you will likely make bad contact with the ball. Also make sure you rotate fully through your shot, as not doing so will tend to promote stopping the club in the grass and digging.

How to hit a golf ball with a sand wedge?

There are two quick ways to allow you to hit great shots from the fairway with a sand wedge – every time. The first is to put the ball further back in your stance a few inches to negate the bounce that is on the sole of the sand wedge. It’s adjusting the ball position the same way you might do if you were going to play a low punching type shot ...

What is a sand wedge?

The sand wedge is the second from the right. Notice how much higher the leading edge (front bit) is than the other clubs. Specifically the two on the left – which are a 9 iron and a wedge and the one on the extreme right which is a lob wedge.

What does "don't hit the ball out of a sand trap" mean?

The bounce on the sole of the sand wedge as I explained in “ Don’t hit the ball out of a sand trap ” means that the leading edge (bottom of the face) of the club is higher than the trailing edge ...

What is the shortest shaft in golf?

As the short irons have the shortest length shafts in a set and they generally are being used with a shorter and softer action than that used with say – a driver – most golfers seem to be able to hit their short iron shots from the fairway with relative ease and control.

Does sand iron fly?

It has the effect of moving your hands ahead of the ball more than normal and de-lofting the sand iron a little, which means it will fly a little further and lower than you would expect – so it will take a bit of experimenting to get it right.

Is the trailing edge lower than the leading edge?

As you can see the trailing edge (the bit touching the ground in this image) is a lot lower than the leading edge. It’s what causes the problem when the sand wedge is used for a fairway shot – if the golfer plays it like a normal short iron.

Step 1: Get the right wedge

There are ideal settings and measurements for sand wedges. However, different scenarios will call for varied types of sand wedges. For instance, you’ll need a sand wedge with a loft that exceeds 60 degrees if you land in a region that’s very far from any green. Here, the ball will explore higher altitudes with a soft landing without rolling.

Step 2: Position yourself and Set Up

Your position matters whenever you want to make a well-executed shot because you may end up attempting shots inside the bunker if you encounter any small inconsistency.

Step 3: Execution of the swing

Start the swing after setting your stance. However, you must ensure that your hands are in control while maintaining the body firmly. Execute the swing starting with a backswing halfway. You may need to apply a little wrist hinge as you reach the top. Ensure that your hands don’t waver.

Step 4: Finish the Hit

The magnitude of the swing greatly relies on the distance you want the ball to move. The swing must send the ball high while giving room for a soft landing. You will only need to practice more often to figure out how far a backswing will take the ball.

How to play golf from the sand?

Club selection. If you don’t select the correct club from the bunker, you’ll have no chance. Typically, you want a sand wedge (56 degrees) or higher. You should also make sure your wedge has the correct bounce so it can glide through the sand underneath the ball. 2.

What is the hardest shot in golf?

Bunker shots are some of the most difficult in golf. Hitting the ball out of the sand requires technique that is unlike any other shot in the game. Combine that with the fact that every kind of sand is different, and you have a recipe for a difficult up-and-down.

How to play the blade in golf?

The more open you play the blade, the more you need to aim to the left. 5. Steepen your swing.

image

What Are The Characteristics of A Sand Wedge?

The Techniques

  • When the ball is in the sand…
    When you have a good lie in a greenside bunker and you want to hit your sand wedge, play it like you would any normal bunker shot. Enter the sand about a couple inches behind the ball, and let the bounce of the club slide the clubface underneath the ball, lifting the ball into the air. If you ha…
  • When the ball is sitting down in the rough…
    When you have a poor lie in the rough and you’re near the green, you want to avoid “chopping down” on the ball with the leading edge and digging your club into the ground. With a sand wedge, the goal is to use the bounce and focus on working the club through the rough into the ball. Tak…
See more on golfstead.com

What Sort of Equipment Is Best For The Job?

  • When determining what wedges work best for you, you need to figure out what lofts and bounce settings best suit your particular swing. Although less skilled golfers generally need not worry too much about such things, it’s important for skilled golfers and professionals to get it right as it can make all the difference when trying to shoot a lower score. If you don’t want to go through a cust…
See more on golfstead.com

Conclusion

  • In a way, the proper technique for hitting a shot with a sand wedge depends on the lie and the shot you want to hit. But maybe you’re really struggling with hitting your sand wedge and don’t know how to get better. Maybe the standard guidance just isn’t doing it for you. What if you got the real “secrets” and had a comprehensive plan of attack for turning you into a short game mas…
See more on golfstead.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9