Golf tips from
the Pro
Winter wedge play
It is a common theme for me to hear
that as the weather changes, golfers are
‘fatting’ wedges or hitting the ground too
hard, then next shot not wishing to hit
the soft and somewhat squelchy ground.
The change of season brings a different
train of thought when it shouldn’t.
Many players hit into the back of the ball
hard, worried that the contact will be
poor. This limits the follow-through and
produces a steep descending blow into
the back of the ball (punch type shot).
It is also common for players to put
the ball back in the stance and put the
hands too far forwards (see picture).
This creates a ‘shaft lean’, which in
turn will change the bounce of the club
into a knife-edge and make the followthrough restricted.
Normal set up
Too much shaft lean
Normal bounce angle
Leading edge too sharp (no bounce)
Using a club with bounce
The bounce of the club is essential,
especially in wintry conditions. A club
must have bounce in soft, wet rough
areas and heavily-sanded bunkers. This
will help the club head to follow through
and come out of the bunker naturally
without being forced.
Follow-through is key!
If the shot is not a full shot, it is crucial
to understand the length of swing you
are trying to make. To work out your
distances, you must understand that
the length of swing determines the
length of stroke and although you can
‘speed up’ or ‘slow down’ you cannot
control ‘miles per hour’.
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