Wedges - Stock yardages or feel?

[hangontight]

Does your junior have a menu of stock wedge yardages they lean on (i.e.- know exact yardages for 1/2, 3/4, full, etc. with each wedge) or is it all feel? Has it worked, not worked?

[leezer99]

My son just moved into adult wedges (stiff s200 shafts) so it’s pretty much a guessing game at this point.

edit: picked up the boy after his round today and he was all excited to tell me about his wedge shots. Apparently he has a spinner, stopper and runner shot now. The way he described it sounded very much like he just feels it. He also came home with some other interesting stories but i guess that’s what happens when you send a 12 year old out with two high school kids and a college player.

[Golfingdawg19]

We have 3 stock yardages for each wedge. 1/2 no hinge, 1/2 hinge, 3/4

[Pepperturbo]

My junior is no longer a junior and seldom plays golf. But when he was an adolescent and played in tournaments he was a feel player throughout the bag, resembling his Dad. Though he seldom plays now-a-days, when he does he still feels his way around. It's honestly amazing to watch him play these days.

[tiger1873]

Highly dependent on the kid? If they have good speed putting then let them feel around.

if chipping is an issue and feel seems to not work best advice is to go with a short game coach with a system. Most short game coaches have a system so just look for one and ask about their style of teaching.

if you have a good system you will do well with wedges and most people will think you feel but you still won’t be as good as player who can feel it.

[Jtgavigan]

I have used the Dave Pelz system for a long time. 7:30 backswing is 50% of full wedge, 9:00 (left arm parallel to the ground) for 75%. I have 4 wedges and 12 know distances. I can choke down more, or swing to 8 or 10 or something like that to get different distances.

[darter79]

A combo of both. We have stock yardages for 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 but then again it all comes down to feel with wedges. My daughter is a huge on feel but she likes to know what the number is for tournaments. At practice she never gets a number and feels it out in terms of distance control.

[hangontight]

He (I think) is more a feel player. Not a kid who steps off putts and assigns a number to match his stroke (sigh....sorry). However, a local pro reccomended he get stock yardages for each wedge & swing- 1/4,1/2,3/4, etc. I get the concept. May figure a way to try with a few on the higher end - 3/4 SW or GW see how it goes. thanks all for the feedback

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

Talked about this on the ride home last night from a weekend. Saturday was stock wedge distances. Yesterday with being hyped up they were carrying to much. Within 35 yards of the green its all feel.

Told me he kneels down and just visualizes a few shots. Picks the one he likes best.

[kekoa]

I feel like wedges are the most inconsistent part of my son's game right now. I'm hoping he learns more feel instead of getting that confused look as to how hard to swing and which wedge to use on a 67 yard approach shot. He still doesn't understand that a 60* can go 50 yards or 70 depending on flight and if he traps the ball or not. In my experience, for kids, the harder they swing, the shorter the wedges goes without properly covering the ball.

[hangontight]

New 9 hole game we’ve been playing once per week that seems to be helping a lot:

start at 60 yards2 balls. Take first or reload. If you play second ball you have to take that onemake birdie putt and you move back 10 yards (70). If you don’t, you are still at same level (60) for next hole until you mince up. continue on (80,90, then bunker is final “level”. I play against him , so it is a competition. For my son at least, this has made him focus way more on getting the approach yardage right (consulting his yardage book), and also grinding over the putt. ....all without me reminding him!!! The goal , and reward, are imminent and naturally garner more attention from him. On the broader scale of a multi day tmnt it’s harder to want and need each birdie opportunity. My hope is to get him to learn how to capitalize on birdie opportunities, something that he lacks in....seems content to step up and know a 2 putt is good for par. Sounds too simple, but he just needs to make more birdies.

 

 

[gmarchese]

as much as I think a lot of what Pelz has taught is not helpful, I DO think that his clock concept with wedges is outstanding. I work all the time on 9:00. 10:30 and full wedges, with all my wedges. It make me way tighter and confident with distances, and has made me a really good wedge player. I use the clock concept with pitches, chips and putts as well. Makes the game so much simpler for me. It doesn't reduce the need for feel, but I think trajectory is where artistry is both underrated and crucial. Just my 2 cents.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

Multiple day tournaments for sure just work on not grinding like its a 9 holer. You will be worn by the morning of the second day. You have to stay patience and the birdies will come. Limit the damage if the storm clouds gather.

[leezer99]

Y'all like Pelz or Stockton for short game?