We all want the ball up and down With inside 100 yards, but the reality is that most of us are more likely to take four to go down than two. Most of the top players and coaches I’ve spoken to about throwing over the years said they use some form of template to encourage a feel for and familiarity with all the different shots we encounter from inside 100 yards. Here are some ideas that I think work best for the case everyday golfer. To watch….
I have three primary wedges that I could use to play type of pitch arrows. There’s a good chance you have a slightly different wedge makeup than the one I have. The idea is to limit the two the most prestigious clubs a comfortable distance of less than a full turn. Here are my thoughts on each of my clubs:
58º
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A full swing with this club will take 85 yards, but I’ll never try to hit it that far
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I will use this stick outside the chip zone to 60 yards and beyond
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A reasonable “core distance” for practicing with this stick is 50 yards
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Ball position is always centered with a narrow stance and weight favoring the front foot 60/40
54º
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A full swing of this club will take 100 yards, but I won’t try to hit that far
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This stick covers a range of 60-90 yards, meaning a reasonable “base distance” is 75 yards
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I will also focus on the feel required to hit this club from both 60 and 90 yards
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The setup and approach is the same for all pitches
50º
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This club covers a range of 90-110 yards
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A reasonable “core distance” for practicing with this stick is 100 yards
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An important feeling at this club is to practice what 90-yard shots look like
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Remember that the full swing for this club is 110 yards and I will use this club at that distance returning from the pitcher setting to my full swing
It will take some thought and planning, but isn’t it worth it? Create your zones commit to the planexpect discomfort in the early stages when you get the essentials skills and over time build the right habits.
Give it a try and I know you’ll be in touch pretty quickly to tell me how much better you can control your golf ball at 100 yards. All the best.
Thank you for reading!