Lob Wedge Technique

jamesh · #1 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 07:51 AM

I just bought a 64 degree loft, lob wedge. What are the fundamentals when using this club….hands ahead of the ball…. With this kind of loft what would be the “normal” ranges…distance the ball would carry... I have always had trouble with my short irons, and your input is much appreciated!

James

Cliff · #2 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 01:00 PM

64% will put it up your nose.

Dont use it for distance, it would be used to lob over object's with control.

Practice using it for trouble shots only. If you need more distance than say 40 yds use a sand iron or bigger club.

64% is a very tough club to use even Phil M is not using the lob shot so much these days. Practice running the ball to the hole will help you score better.

and also give you a good read on the return putt should you go past the hole.

Mr_Change · #3 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 01:07 PM

I have a 60% I use it for every shot from 80 yards in. I pefer pitch shots onto the green than chip shots I like it not releasing. It is great for short bumpand runs casue it don't run that much. For my longer bump and runs I use a 9iron. or I just putt it if just off the green.

Cliff · #4 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 01:31 PM

Mr. Change.

I'm sure you enjoy the fun of throwing the ball high and close to the hole.

But to improve your game I would not go down that route.

I play off 2 HC now so still need to practice what helps me score better, and not what might look good on camara.

Regards Cliff

Mox · #5 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 01:54 PM

My LW is only a 60, so it might be more 'playable' than a 64, but I surely use it often, and I'm only a hcp 34 golfer at the moment

I often find my self some 30-40yds short of the GIR, and at that distance I use my LW with confidence, especially if I'm off to the side and not on the short stuff, when bump'n'run is hardly an option.

It happily takes me over greenside bunkers, onto uphill greens etc, and allows me to target the pin, when the chipping route is blocked.

Sure, close to the green you might score better with the bump'n'run, but for short-game use, mine is a definite keeper, and I'm not going into the duff'n'drop game unless I'm really close to the green.

Btw ... didn't Lefty just win a Major using the LW on 18?

Cliff · #6 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 02:04 PM

I also remember Tiger lob shot in the Masters, 20 yards down hill green, he hit it passed the flag and screwed it back up the hill?

But to play like a pro, keep it low, if you want to cry fly it high...

I'm not saying don't use the lob wedge, by all means do.

I'm trying to improve my game so have moved on to the low shot that has given me more time to read the green, I would often walk onto the green and read the chip like a putt, as the next shot if you don't hole the chip will be a putt, you will have valuable feedback from the chip you have just made to help hole the putt.

Mox · #7 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff

I also remember Tiger lob shot in the Masters, 20 yards down hill green, he hit it passed the flag and screwed it back up the hill?

But to play like a pro, keep it low, if you want to cry fly it high...

I'm not saying don't use the lob wedge, by all means do.

I'm trying to improve my game so have moved on to the low shot that has given me more time to read the green, I would often walk onto the green and read the chip like a putt, as the next shot if you don't hole the chip will be a putt, you will have valuable feedback from the chip you have just made to help hole the putt.

I fully understand - and even agree. I was just saying that some of us 'hackers' often find ourselves at a distance that is sort of a 'limbo' between SW/PW yardages and chipshots (probably due to inconsistency causing us to get the club selection for the approach shot wrong), or behind that dreaded greenside sandbox that we just KNOW we can't chip over.

Solution: 25-40yd 'attack weapon' - the 60deg LW.

(Sure ... the first putt is often from the far side fringe, but hey - it's still using the putter at least)

ubizmo · #8 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 03:29 PM

From 20-40 yards I use the 60* LW every time. The reason is simple. From that distance I just want to get the ball on the green and keep it there. I have a lot more confidence in my ability to flop the ball in an area from that distance than I have in my ability to land short and roll it up.

But from shorter distances, I've given up relying on the LW, or at least I've given up using it for that flop shot. Since learning Greg's right-hand drill, I've started "hooding" the lob wedge and chipping to get some roll, and that works pretty well. And from closer distances still, other wedges or short irons. I've given up the "Texas wedge" strategy of using the putter from the fringe, for the simple reason that I found I really can't control it. So from a foot or two off the green, I chip with the 8 iron. I've found I'm really not too bad at this; the trouble is, I don't usually end up that close to the green before having to get on, so most of the time I'm using the LW from 20-40 out.

LowPost42 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 05:32 PM

I play 5 wedges, myself - including both a 60º and a 64º (currently under repair for bad behaviour).

The 60 and 64 are specialists - they never see full swing action. The 60 is low bounce and the 64 high bounce - both very useful if you're short sided on a greenside bunker, and great out of the rough for missed greens. But I'd rather not use them off tight lies - with that much loft, I'm just as likely to thin it as I am to flush it. But in my hands around the greens? Pure gold.

(Unless I'm playing like **** and won't commit to a shot - then no club performs well!)

gord962 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 08:35 PM

I play a 60* and I can open the dace up to about 70*, if a shot so required.

I play the 60* from 90 - 100 yards and then only if there a tree to go over or a bunker between myself and the green with under 30 yards to the pin. Those of you who love to use your LW every chance you get, I am sure you can play some nice shots, but the LW is not as consistant as a lower lofted club. The higher the loft, the less control of the bounce. I used to use my LW for all my shots around the green, but have found the results are MUCH more consistant when you use a lower lofted club.

SlicersHell · #11 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005, 01:34 AM

I'm having a problem with pitches 30-75 yards (or even less when I can't chip). I was doing okay with it for a while, but I've lost it (sh**nking at the range constantly). Do you feel like you're still turning in your backswing even though it's such a short swing. What is your leg action like? Any words on feel and technique other than address position\ball placement would be cool.

SlicersHell · #12 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmays

Let's address shanking 1st.

If you address the ball with both arms side by side and bring the club straight back and try to bring it straight through, the fingers of the right/back hand is thrown outwards, not from any force, but the action of the anatomy.

The Test:

Club off the ground, over the ball at address, so you will not hit the ball indoors.

Grab your sandwedge and address the ball in the center of the clubface and swing the clubface straight back from the ball to the hands get waist high and swing down slowly and you should notice the clubhead being thrown out and by the time the clubface gets to the ball it is at the hosel.

This action shows up more when the swing is greater.

The second cause of the shank is bringing the club too far to the inside, hand over back foot. Then on the downswing you never get the clubface around and hit on the heel.

Two major causes for the inside move. The hands are bringing the club back on the backswing or that back elbow is stuck behind you too much that causes an inside path.

You can see that by doing the two actions slowly.

To hit the wedge:

You want about 60 % of the weight on the left/lead leg at address and when you turn in the backswing you keep the weight on the lead leg. Feel as if you are turning around the left leg.

Also at address put a little flex in the right/back elbow, that gives you the inside swing.

I bet I have a little more gut than you, but I flex the elbow a little and rest it on my gut.

The swing is the same for any swing except you want a little more of a early wrist action so when the club gets about waist high push down on the handle with the lead/left hand at the fat pad on the little finger side.

Get in front of a mirror or glass and practice that, it will not take long to learn.

I just turn back and forward for the small chip and pitches and feel the upper body bringing the lower body around.

G-1.

Yeah, I think with my pitches what I had been doing was just lifting the club or bringing the club back with my shoulders (not turning) and trying to swing through from there. Is this what you mean?

Part of the problem is that I often overshoot my short irons and wedges, and this the way my mind has told my body to go easy...it's the wrong way, but yeah. I was doing okay with pitching at one point but just lost it, so I'm guessing this was the reason.

Turning (instead of lifting) seems to be the part I was missing, so I will keep that in mind next time out.

This was an extremely informative post, so thanks for the help.

gord962 · #13 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005, 04:16 PM

For chips and pitch shots, try to keep the club going back along the target line on your backswing. In doing that, you do not have to try to get the club back on the target line during the downswing - a tough job in such a short distance.

SlicersHell · #14 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gord962

For chips and pitch shots, try to keep the club going back along the target line on your backswing. In doing that, you do not have to try to get the club back on the target line during the downswing - a tough job in such a short distance.

I understand doing this for chip shots, but for pitch shots? How do you keep the club on the target line for a 60 yard wedge shot? You'd have to detach your upper arms completely from your body on the backswing and do some serious contorting of your body to even hit the ball.

...or do you just mean this as a mental image? Like starting the club straight back as you would do in any full swing?

jeffgladchun · #15 (**permalink**) 09-29-2005, 03:55 AM

Throw that 64º in the garbage and get yourself a 60º with low to very low bounce. I find the very low bounce 60º enormously versatile around the green and low bounce allows it to be easier played off tight lies and spin sand shots like a maniac. However, the low bounce means that fuller shots will be a bit harder because the club will basically want to dig a hole in the ground.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Register Now for FREE!
You have not yet registered on GTO. Sign up for FREE INSTANTLY and gain full access, just fill out the form below! Username: Password: Confirm Password: E-Mail: Confirm E-Mail: I agree to forum rules