Pick it within 50 yards by setting up a wedge system. Here’s how

Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game improvement column designed to help you play smarter, better golf.

As a mid-handicap player, there are many things I could do better to lower my score.

The first thing that comes to mind is putting, but the problem of simply aiming for it is complicated – because if I can’t get close enough to the pin with my wedges, I’m more likely to make it either 2 or even 3 putt!

So, yes, I need to improve on the flatstick, but it might make sense to implement a wedge system first to give me opportunities for shorter putts. This allows me to get to know my wedges better and at the same time recognize my strengths and weaknesses in each one.

If you’re someone who can relate, take a look at the following tips from GOLF Teacher to Watch Monique Thoresz, who shares the benefits of building a wedge system for shots within 50 yards – along with the best way to do it to build one.

Here’s how to start building a wedge system

“One of the things that sets great players apart is their ability to score low, even when their ball striking isn’t up to their usual standards,” says Thoresz.

“Sure, a scratch golfer can hit more consistent shots than an 18-handicapper, but there is no reason why the average golfer can’t improve their short game by several strokes with a little knowledge and effort.”

A good starting point is to understand how far you carry the golf ball from key distances, including shots from 50 yards and beyond.

Thoresz adds, “While players can use a variety of methods to achieve this, it is easy for a mid or even high handicap player to start with a wedge system.”

According to Thoresz, one of her players started with this simple system and went on to win the club championship.

“When this student first came to me, she wasn’t sure how far her wedges reached and she was confused about how hard to hit them or how big the swing should be.

“That’s why we chose an initial distance of 50 yards – a common distance that occurs frequently on the golf course. She tested each of her wedges with full and half swings to see which club and swing size resulted in a 50-yard shot. She chose her 56-degree sand wedge, making about a three-quarter swing.”

By trying out different club and swing sizes to determine the correct carry distance (the target distance), not Thoresz’s student was able to identify the exact plan of attack on those 50-yard shots – which only increased her confidence when hitting the ball.

“As she became more comfortable with the club and the 50-yard swing, her short game began to blossom and her results improved dramatically,” Thoresz added.

“The system was easy to expand—on a 60-yard shot, she could either make the full swing with the same club or take a gap wedge and make the same swing.”

If you want to reduce your strokes by getting into a better position when putting, trying a wedge system is a good place to start. Try this type of practice and become smarter with your shots as you approach the greens.

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