HOW TO HIT HIGH-SPIN WEDGES
BY THE SWING DOCTOR
Golf Australia'S RESIDENT SWING THERAPIST

ONE of the most exciting shots to see during a golf tournament is when a pro throws a pitch shot straight at the flag and the ball stops dead on one bounce.

Before you even consider playing the same kind of shot, your ball must be sitting on the right lie. The ball must be sitting up and lying cleanly, with little or no grass behind it because the more of the ball surface that is exposed to the clubface, the more it will spin.

This high-spinning shot also requires a slight change in your set-up. Make sure most of your weight is on your left leg (for right-handers) and lean your upper body slightly toward the target. This encourages a steep downswing, which makes it easier to get the clubhead on the ball before it hits the turf.

Also, to assist in making a steep swing and good contact, adopt a slightly open stance because this helps prevent any lateral body movement and restricts your backswing length.

During the backswing, keep your weight on your front leg and your upper body leaning toward the target. It is also important to restrict body motion as you swing your arms on an upright swing plane. Don’t swing around your body and ensure the club stays out in front of your coiling torso.

At impact, your left wrist should be ahead of the ball, with the shaft angled toward the target. These positions ensure the clubface hits the ball first, then the turf.

For maximum backspin, the right arm should not rotate over the left arm through impact. Instead, follow Robert Allenby’s action and rotate your right side through the shot to promote good acceleration and prevent scooping, which sees the clubhead pass the hands before impact.

This action will give you the feeling of compressing the ball against the clubface and will impart maximum backspin on the ball.

From the February 2009 issue of Golf Australia