Few shots in golf are more nerve-wracking than an open wedge from a tight lie. But with the right setup and simple swing thinking, you’ll master the motion and execute this tricky shot with confidence.
Use the following keys from GOLF Top 100 Master Debbie Doniger to learn to install this shot well and the phrase that will help you make a consistent contact every time.
Open position, high handle
Start with a tight stance and your weight favoring your lead foot. Open your stance by pointing your feet and body to the left of the target (for right-handed golfers), then open the clubface to add loft. Raise the handle slightly so that the toe of the club is resting on the ground.
From there, place the ball slightly forward in your stance. Doniger explains that this adjustment helps open the shoulders and encourage the swing path you need.
“The configuration is key,” he says, “But the concept of the swing you’re trying to create is also key.”
Go through and keep turning
Here’s where many golfers get into trouble: they try.
When faced with a delicate shot, many enthusiasts will slow down or stop spinning due to impact. This leads to inconsistent contact and a frustrating miss.
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Doniger’s advice? Swing out and through the ball while continuing to rotate your arms, chest and torso to the left of the target.
“You have to commit to rotating through it,” she says.
This piece is critical. Opening the face helps create loft, but continued rotation is what allows you to deliver the club consistently. Remember, it’s rotation, not a last second attempt to help the ball in the air.
Check out the match
The feeling for this shot can be difficult. You don’t want to dig into the turf, but you don’t want to sweep the ball, either. Instead, Doniger offers a simple swing thought: “Strike the match.”
The idea is exactly what it sounds like. As the club moves through impact, imagine the toe clearing the grass as if you were hitting a match. The goal is a poorly controlled shot that clips the turf without digging too much.
It takes practice, but the payoff is worth it. With the right setup, engaged rotation and a clean shot, you can confidently pull this shot, even from difficult tight lies.
