Equipment
The short game masterclass
Here’s a question for you, which shot on any given hole do you believe is most important when it comes to setting you up to score well?
While landing your shot nicely on the fairway and sinking putts undoubtedly contributes to making a birdie, your approach shot and placing your ball near the hole is essential when it comes to writing a low number on the scorecard.
Today we want to cover the importance of pitching your ball when you’re within 100 yards from the green. Strike it well, and you could be left with a 6-foot putt to make a birdie. But mishit your pitch shot and your ball could go anywhere.
Know your wedge shots
Depending on the kind of shot you’re trying to hit, your wedge shots can have very different set-ups.
Pitch shots travel a greater distance than chips so you’re going to approach them with more loft to overcome hazards and land your ball on the green. Chip shots take place when you’re closer to the hole and are the perfect opportunity for bump-and-run style shots.
When pitching, you’re going to want to strike the ball with a lofted wedge like a gap or lob wedge and accelerate the club through impact to create backspin. Chipping is more delicate with a short, steady backswing that gives you more control over the ball.
Naturally every golfer has a unique approach to the game and you’ll benefit the most from some lessons with a professional. We’re always in the pro shop and ready to get you booked in for some sessions focusing on improving your short game.
Technique is important, and how you play will directly impact the kind of grind and bounce you’ll need on your wedges.
Grind and bounce
If you weren’t already aware, the sole of each golf wedge has a unique grind shaping that helps it perform to a certain standard. Different grinds will suit different kinds of golfers.
More forgiving grinds have a wider sole and offer more relief to players who are prone to digging their wedges into the ground and taking a big divot. Narrower grinds offer more versatility to skilled golfers who make cleaner shots.
Every single wedge has a bounce angle. You measure the bounce angle when you stand the wedge vertically with the clubhead resting flat on a horizontal surface. Wedges crafted with high bounce make it easy to make a consistent contact with the ball, while low bounce allows for more discerning workability.
Getting fitted for a wedge with the best grind and bounce for you will undeniably help you make better chip shots, and PING makes some of the best wedges money can buy!
The latest PING golf wedges
When creating the S159 wedges, PING wanted to craft a golf wedge that looks as good as it feels, and they certainly succeeded. The high-performance wheel-cut grooves offer exceptional spin, and the elastomer insert provides an exceptional feel on impact with the ball. There are a whopping 25 different loft and grind variations in the range, so we’ll help you find which one is best for your game.
Crafted to give novice players relief above all else, the BunkR wedge has a wider sole and MicroMax grooves to ensure a clean contact with turn on all strikes. With 64˚ degrees of loft and featuring 14.5˚ degrees of sole bounce, this wedge makes it easy to generate ball speeds and launch the ball out of trouble.
If you’re thinking of lining your bag with some new wedges but you’re unsure of what would best suit you, we’d be happy to offer you our expertise in the pro shop.
