Check your wedge gapping
Published:
Whilst short-game technique is important, the actual wedges in your bag play a big part – specifically the lofts and yardages they cover. If we assume that 60 per cent of the shots we play during a round are from 100 yards and in, making sure we have the wedges to cover off all possible distances is paramount.
The key is to get the lofts of the wedges in your bag moderately separated, ranging from 4-6 degrees difference. Standard pitching wedges are getting stronger these days, down to as much as 44 degrees, so you need to allow for this. Having a 10-degree difference is too much for amateurs to cope with many situations.
Bunkers are getting deeper, greens are getting faster, and as a result you need more loft and options around the greens. Having the right lofts allows a player to hit more full shots into the green, which enhances accuracy.
Too many amateur golfers either don’t have enough wedges in their bag, or have the wrong lofts. Having a difference of 4-6 degrees of loft between your wedges equates to 12-16 yards, which means you can hit more full shots and control distance more easily.
Video shot on location at Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, Portugal. Visit www.monte-rei.com for more information.