Controlling distances with your wedge game can lead to many unforced errors…from hitting it fat to shanking or blading it and many more I didn’t mention.
I want to pull the curtain back on how easy it can be to create the correct amount of power needed to hit the ball the correct distances a high percentage of the time…even when it’s not a full shot!
Before we reveal the process, let me ask you to do an exercise with me…in your mind.
Let’s imagine we’re playing catch and we’re tossing the ball back and forth to one another. As you toss it to me I back up a little each time…but the amazing thing is, no matter how much I back up, you throw the ball the ideal or near ideal distance each time…I ask how do you think you’re able to do that?
So it got me to thinking many years ago about this and this is what I came up with and share with my students who experience similar results when hitting their wedges various distances.
We have a distinct and highly efficient and effective source for power. It is our torso, and specifically our upper torso.
So if we could imagine the faster or slower we turn our torso, this would result in a faster or slower clubhead speed, and that of course would create varying distances, right? (hint: our torso rotation is always full in size, and my arms and hands will automatically adjust in length based on rotation speed)
So the first thing I have my students do is to hit a full shot and get an understanding of what a full swing, as it relates to rotation speed feels like.
Then we see how far this shot goes using their normal full shot swing/rotation speed.
For our example lets say this produces a 100 yard in the air shot.
So if you were faced with a shot that was 75 yards, which in our example is outside our Lob Wedge distance, and requires you to hit your sandwedge something other than full, how much would that be?
75% right? Sure 100 yards = a full shot , so we simply take a few practice swings at what feels like 75% of our full or normal shot that gave us 100 yards, then apply that 75% motion!
The results are truly uncanny, because its math…like everytime you add 5+5, it always equals ten. And when you add 5+3 it will equal 8.
Think of the first 5 in the equation is your club, it remains constant in degree of loft and length of shaft, and the second digit in the equation would represent your turn speed…and again it’s all about math.
This process may be applied to every club in your bag, yes even your driver! Now before you ask, why would I not want to always hit my 5 iron or driver full?
Pretty simple, maybe your on a par 3 and in between clubs? or its breezy, or any number of reasons.
Typical 5 iron might be 180 yards…80% of 180 yards = 144 yards. now this might be handy if you have to hit it low because of an overhanging branch?
I urge you to try this..have some fun and I know you’ll begin to add dimensions to your game you thought were only possible if you were inside the ropes…
I can’t wait to hear your feedback…because it’s all just Math!
