You won’t shoot low scores if you aren’t strong with your wedges. It’s as simple as that. Golfers don’t hit many greens in regulation; even the professionals sometimes struggle.
However, the wedge can get you close to the pin and save that par. If you want to save some pars and play a better wedge game, here are five common wedge mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Ball Position Is Off (And You Don’t Realize It)
Ball position can make or break a wedge shot. Too far forward, and you’re likely to hit it thin or scoop it.
If the ball is too far back, you risk digging into the turf and coming up short. Most amateur golfers don’t adjust ball position based on the type of wedge shot they’re hitting.
How to fix:
For a stock pitch shot, the ball should be slightly back of center with your weight favoring the front foot. Keep the stance narrow, so you have a little more control over your movements.
For higher, softer shots, move it up just a touch and open the face (we’ll get to that). The key is pairing the ball position with the flight you are looking for and being consistent.
2. You’re Not Using Your Lower Body (It’s All Arms)
One of the most common wedge swing flaws is trying to do everything with your hands and arms.
It might feel like a safe way to control the shot, but it leads to poor contact and inconsistent spin.
How to Fix:
Even on short wedge swings, your lower body should be involved. You don’t need a full weight transfer, but you do need a bit of rotation. A quiet, controlled turn through the ball keeps the club on plane and helps you bottom out in the right place.
Think of it more like a mini version of your full swing. Don’t flick your arms and hands just to get the ball in the air.
3. You Don’t Open the Clubface Enough
It can be scary to open the clubface. So many players fear opening the clubface with a wedge because they think they will skull one across the green.
Watch a pro hit a lob shot or a high-spin pitch, and you’ll see just how much loft they use. Playing everything with a square face robs you of the ability to stop the ball on the greens.
How to Fix:
Start by getting comfortable with a slightly open face in your setup. Don’t just twist your wrists open; rotate the entire club and then grip it.
Pair that with a slightly shallower swing and keep your hands passive through impact. An open face gives you more loft and bounce.
4. Trying to Help the Ball in the Air
The ball doesn’t need any extra help getting up in the air. If your natural instinct is to try to lift the ball, you may end up with thin shots and no spin.
Wedges are designed to work down into the turf, not up into the ball like a driver or fairway wood.
How to Fix:
Trust the loft on your wedge and let the club do the work. Don’t try to add additional loft or help the ball up. It feels like you’re compressing the ball into the turf and letting the loft and the grooves do the work.
5. Lack of a Go-To Shot
Many players fall into the trap of trying a new shot every time they’re around the green. One low spinner. One high flop. One bump-and-run. It’s just too much going on.
How to fix:
Develop a go-to shot you can rely on under pressure. For most players, that’s a low-to-mid flight pitch shot with a 54 or 56-degree wedge once you know how to control it, from tight lies to light rough.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need Tour-level hands to hit great wedge shots. But you do need solid fundamentals, so stop making these five mistakes and see how they impact your wedge game.
