PRACTICE WITH A TWO BY FOUR FOR SOLID WEDGE SHOTS

A few years ago as I analyzed putter face impact patterns, and learned that as they became smaller and tighter, handicaps fell.  That means low scores follow from consistent sweet spot contact.

The same is true with wedges.  The Pelz Golf Institute studied ball/wedge contact, and identified two common patterns: 1) contact all over the face, and 2) contact centered on the toe.

What happens when impact isn't on the sweet spot?  As in putting, the club head twists, so the shot starts off-line.  But it also means the swing's energy isn't being fully transferred to the ball.

If your wedge shots are flying short and off-line, work on quality of impact.  Hit a half-dozen wedges, using impact tape or talcum powder on the clubface to check the pattern to see if contact is on the toe.  An open stance creates an out-to-in swing.  Toe hits also could result from swinging over the top.  The cure for this is a simple drill:

Lay a two-by four on the ground (on its long side, not flat).  Then place a ball one inch from the wood and swing.  If you hit the top or side of the board, keep practicing until you can make clean contact without touching it before or after impact.  Do this, and you'll be making an inside-square-inside swing-and solid contact.