How to Hit a Lob Wedge

Hitting a lob wedge from the sand

In golf, most experts agree that the most strokes can be saved from your short game. Besides the putter, the lob wedge is the shortest club in the bag, but it can be among the most difficult to hit. Many golfers will opt for a sand wedge instead of a lob wedge. The lob wedge, however, is capable of shots that other clubs are not; it just takes the right techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Lob wedge, between 58 and 64 degrees
• Grass or chipping surface
• Sand surface
• Golf balls
• Golf pin or target

Instructions

1. For a standard shot on even ground, place the ball in the middle of the stance. Keep your weight distributed evenly through your body, and place the ball slightly closer to you than you would with your sand wedge.

2. With the lob wedge, the club should make impact just under the ball. The divot, and the impact with the ground, should be slightly in front of the ball. The swing is executed by accelerating on the downswing.

3. For a shot with less distance, more control, and less bounce than your other wedges, take a full back swing and front swing with the lob wedge. Keep your feet square and the head of the club square.

4. For a shot of less distance that still requires a tall shot, use your lob wedge and swing around halfway on your backswing. Keep your front swing full.

5. For a shot in the sand, distribute your weight according to the tilt of the position. Keep the weight further back for an elevated shot, and vice versa for a shot below your feet.

6. In the sand, or in situation where the ball needs to go higher with less distance, open the head of the club and the front foot. The club and the foot should be opened at the same angle to the target, with more opening for higher, shorter shots.

7. For short shots just off of the green (say, inside 30 feet), take a back swing around 20 percent, and stop the swing soon after contact to pop the ball into the air. For a running shot with less loft, use the same short back swing but continue with the follow through as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice with different lofts until you find one that suits your swing. Practice hitting out of different lengths of grass.

• Do not try to guide the ball with your swing. Take a normal swing; proper technique will guide the ball.