We are often faced with the dilemma of the short-approach shot
that is only a sand-wedge distance away. However, it’s likely we
all have experienced ‘skull’ or ‘chunk’ shots off this hard-pan lie
more often than not.
You will be happy to know that it is a club-selection mistake
and not a swing mistake.
We are often faced with the dilemma of the short-approach shot that is only a sand-wedge distance away. However, it’s likely we all have experienced ‘skull’ or ‘chunk’ shots off this hard-pan lie more often than not.
You will be happy to know that it is a club-selection mistake and not a swing mistake.
Trying to hit a rounded-designed sand or lob wedge will often cause the club to bounce into the ball, causing the ball to soar well over the target. You are better off taking a pitching wedge for these shots – one that doesn’t have as much of a rounded sole but instead offers more of a flat sole. The pitching wedge doesn’t have as great of a chance to bounce or dig as the sand wedge.
Plan on this shot coming off the club lower and running further than the sand wedge. This club selection and planning is true with any firm, tight lie. It can be applied to fairway metal or wood shots as well.
Almost always choose an iron over a fairway metal. You will almost never get a fairway metal up in the air off hard thin lies.
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Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
