Collin Morikawa is aware of what it takes to stay it shut with a wedge.
Picture through YouTube/TaylorMade
Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a GOLF.com sequence during which we’re sharing enhancements, learnings and takeaways from newbie golfers similar to you — together with a few of the pace bumps and challenges they confronted alongside the best way.
For years, I’ve been making an attempt to place some intentional backspin on the golf ball with my wedges — which is one thing each professional does with ease, making it seem as if the ball’s on a string that they’re pulling again on.
Each newbie sees one thing like this and hopes to someday accomplish it, however when the time involves execute the shot, it not often goes as deliberate.
Tiger Woods, Fred {Couples} ship masterclass on 50-yard wedge pictures
Certain, hitting spinny wedge pictures takes ability, nevertheless it additionally takes confidence, figuring out you’ve acquired the basics to make use of any such shot to your benefit.
Whereas it may be tough to dial in your wedge recreation, the following time you’re on the vary and working towards from about 50 yards out, strive giving Collin Morikawa’s suggestions a go. Within the video beneath (courtesy of TaylorMade’s YouTube channel), the world’s No. 6-ranked golfer shares his suggestions, methods, and a few swing ideas for hitting any such shot to perfection.
Right here’s how Collin Morikawa hits spinny wedge pictures
Earlier than the rest, Morikawa says that you will need to take a look at the ball’s lie — which can enable you to decide which membership to make use of and the way you’ll want to setup to the shot.
“I’ve acquired an excellent lie with the ball sitting up,” he says. “However it’s barely uphill, so with some wind into [my face] and a entrance pin, that’s nice. You need some loft to a entrance pin [in order] to spin it. So I’m going to maintain my 60-degree.”
Subsequent, Morikawa explains his strategy on any such shot, saying he goes again to trusting his “really feel system,” which permits his physique to repeat a strategy of positioning for his fingers. That is much like a clock system, the place gamers can visualize their arms being dials on a clock to get in the fitting place.
‘By no means kill a fly once you play golf,’ says Lee Trevino. Right here’s what he means
He additionally describes the largest mistake he sees amateurs make whereas hitting a 50-yard wedge shot.
“Individuals take into consideration the clock system, how far to take it again, or how arduous to hit it,” Morikawa says. “I all the time see amateurs from this distance take approach too large of a swing. They assume they should take a full swing, however, in actuality, it’s a really brief shot.
“So consider a 50-yard shot as an enormous pitch shot with extra comply with by means of.”
In the case of ball positioning, Morikawa reminds gamers to maintain it simply barely in the midst of the stance, and to keep away from making an attempt to scoop to get further top on the ball — which is one other frequent flaw amateurs do with wedges.
“I’m going to maintain the ball pretty in the midst of my stance, I’m going to really feel [the positioning of my hands], after which I’m going to proceed going ahead [with the club going to about shoulder height on the front shoulder],” he provides. “I’m not going to try to hit the ball up, as a result of I’ve acquired the ball on an upslope — which goes to make the ball go up already.”
Morikawa then discusses the significance of compressing the golf ball and making ball-first contact — particularly on a wedge shot.
“With the ability to hit down on a wedge shot is essential, simply to create the spin,” he says. “Spin goes to be created by means of pace, so we’re going to strive that from 50 yards.”
Comply with these 5 constructing blocks to create the right golf swing
So how briskly must you swing? Morikawa says it’s most necessary to maintain it fixed all through than the rest.
“You need the pace of your swing to be as fixed as potential,” he explains. “If something, you wish to be extra aggressive and by no means decelerate.”
By utilizing Morikawa’s suggestions, you’ll be capable of dial in your swing feels, pure your 50-yard wedge pictures, get a little bit backspin, and depart it close to the pin — all whereas impressing your taking part in companions. So give this a strive subsequent time you’re on the vary for some stable follow.
TaylorMade 2024 TP5x Golf Balls
$54.99
The all-new 2024 TaylorMade TP5x Golf Balls are the quickest 5-layer Tour ball-now a ½ membership longer-combines enhanced pace for extra distance with out compromising management across the inexperienced.
TOUR DISTANCE WITH NEW SPEED WRAPPED CORE
TP5x is the quickest 5-layer Tour ball, prioritizing ball pace for golfers in search of elevated velocity off the clubface. It delivers low-spin efficiency with driver and lengthy irons for extra distance, whereas sustaining distinctive greenside management. The brand new Velocity Wrapped Core means a ½ membership longer whereas delivering a softer sound and higher really feel, whereas selling a quicker and extra responsive total design.
TP5X YELLOW WITH ENHANCED VISIBILITY & DURABILITY
Whereas many high-visibility golf balls rely solely on a painted end, we doubled down for added sturdiness. An enriched yellow urethane cowl implies that your golf ball stays brighter for longer with no chipped paint and higher shade retention.
View Product
