\u201cIt\u2019s all about leaning left, and staying left,\u201d Armitage says.<\/p>\n
With this simple phrase and the three keys below, you\u2019ll learn how to build a solid setup every time and turn these delicate wedge shots into scoring opportunities.<\/p>\n
Load your lead side for better low-point control<\/p>\n
In order to execute these shots successfully, Armitage says you need to have low-point control<\/a> \u2014 and it starts before you even take the club back.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, low-point control is all about the setup,\u201d he says. \u201cWhat I want you to do is I want you to get about 65% of your weight on that front, lead leg. Once you\u2019ve got that there, I want it to also feel like it\u2019s leaning there with your sternum.\u201d<\/p>\n They key here is loading your lead side completely \u2014 not just your lower body. Armitage says amateurs often let their weight drift backwards during their backswing on these short wedge shots. When that happens, it becomes almost impossible to return to a forward position by the time your club passes through impact. As a result, players hang back or lean away from the target as they hit the ball, followed by a slew of contact issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n By remembering to pre-set your entire lead side, you set yourself up to make ball-first contact and stay forward through the shot, helping you improve the quality of your strike and avoid a common error that can quickly break down your contact and confidence.<\/p>\n Keep your nose over lead toes as you swing<\/p>\n After you\u2019ve loaded your lead side and established a good setup, it\u2019s time to practice your swing. Armitage says the key here is maintaining the foundation you\u2019ve already built at address.<\/p>\n \u201cAs you make a backswing, I want you to feel like your nose and your weight stays there [just in front of the ball],\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n To build this feel, take a few practice swings without a ball, keeping your sternum and nose positioned over your lead leg throughout the motion. You\u2019ll know you\u2019re doing it right if your divot is happening in front of your ball position.\u00a0<\/p>\n When you bring a ball back into the equation, you should notice that your shots have a lower trajectory and more spin \u2014 hallmarks of a great wedge player.<\/p>\n Develop stock swings for better distance control<\/p>\n There are several ways to dial in different yardages with your wedges. You can open the face or grip down, but Armitage says the most reliable method for controlling distance is to adjust the length of your swing.<\/p>\n To do that, you need a set of defined stock swings. You can build them by creating clear, repeatable boundaries \u2014 or \u201ctriggers,\u201d as Armitage calls them. His checkpoints are:<\/p>\n Hip to hip<\/p>\n Rib to rib<\/p>\n Shoulder to shoulder<\/p>\n
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