Control your wedge distances with this easy drill

Controlling distance with your wedges can be difficult. This towel drill can help you strike your wedges better, and get them closer to the hole.

Using the correct technique can make it so much easier with your scoring clubs. I’ve got a way to make sure you keep control of those in-between yardages on the course.

The Wedge Play Fault

Many amateurs try to control distance with their hands and arms instead of the pivot of their body. When the hands and arms take over it makes distance control a lot more difficult, especially under pressure. This simple drill promotes co-ordination with your arm swing and pivot, which is the easiest way to control distance.

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The Towel Drill Fix

Start by placing a towel underneath your arms as pictured. The idea is that throughout the swing the towel remains underneath the arms and doesn’t become dislodged. If your arms start to become too involved and disconnected from the swing, then the towel will fall to the floor. To start with, hit some pitch shots without any wrist hinge and progress to slightly longer swings with wrist hinge.

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As you do the drill you should feel that your upper body (pivot) is doing the majority of the work with your hands and arms becoming quite passive. This feeling is enhanced with the towel underneath the arms. If you keep a similar tempo in your swing, which you should, then your distance will largely be dictated by how long your swing is.

Working on this drill will help improve your technique while pitching, as well as dialling in your distances.

Gavin Abson is the Head PGA Professional at West Lancashire Golf Club. You can follow him on X.

Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor