If you have watched golf tournaments in person or on television, you’ve seen the pros hit amazing wedge shots from 100 yards and in. It’s especially exciting when the ball lands several feet past the flag, then spins back to within a few feet of the hole. It’s also fun to see a shot bound into the green, then stop quickly right next to the hole. It seems like magic, yet these shots are actually relatively easy for the average golfer. Every golf shot has spin. The goal here is to control the spin.
In most instances, a regular wedge shot from 100 yards will be fine and there’s no need for the average golfer to try to get "cute" or spin the ball back to the hole. However, if you want to take some spin off the shot, take a bit more club (say a full wedge instead of a gap wedge) and make a shorter, slower swing. If you want to put more spin on the shot, you can move the ball back in your stance a little and make a full swing.
Around the green, a normal shot will have ample spin. If you’re hitting a chip, the normal setup is for the club to be back in the stance and the downward movement of the club into the ball will generate all the spin you need. Land the ball about three feet on the green and the ball should roll toward the hole.
Again, with pitching, a normal pitch shot will have ample spin. However, sometimes it’s fun, and even necessary, to get the ball to hop a couple of times and then come to a shuddering stop. For this shot, the key is to put the ball back in your stance; this will create a severe downward strike on the ball that will put tons of spin on the pitch. It should check up quickly after two or three bounces. The ball will come out relatively low, which is what you want.
Tips & Warnings Newer wedges impart more spin than older wedges.
Practice these spinning shots, but for "full effect" consult a PGA or LPGA professional. One mistake many golfers make is to open their shoulders too much on pitch shots and chips. Keep your shoulders square and move your front foot toward your front shoulder about two to three inches; you are now "open" enough with your stance. Avoid trying to scoop the ball or dig. Ball position is the key when it comes to wedge spin.
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