For those that don't have a launch monitor, I personally just went to a par 3 course, took some scrap pieces of wood and marked them out every 5 yards and confirmed with a rangefinder. I built my matrix by hitting 20 balls for each swing type. I went waist to waist, chest to chest, shoulder to shoulder, and full swing. With PW, GW, SW, LW, it's given 16 different distances. (a few are the same distance, but with a different trajectory) I've printed the chart and stuck it on my push cart so I can see the numbers quickly (essential until I memorize them) After my matrix was done, I went back to the par 3 course and shot a bunch of balls from each distance to the flag to confirm the numbers. Everything was landing pin high from 30 yards up to 130 yards. Wedge matrix's are basically a cheat code, every single digit should be doing this.
Obviously just going over your old videos and thought I'd share something on this. Although I've been aware of this for sometime I never got round to doing it. Recently I decided to take my SW, GW, PW and 9 iron and just measure my arm back to the 9pm position and came up with 4 distances. I haven't taken this any further but I'm stunned at how much it has improved my short game. Knowing that a 95 yard shot is my 9 iron 9pm shot just allows me to step up and my only thought is that arm position. Even if I'm pitching over a hazard I don't feel the pressure that I would have felt in the past and it really has transformed my short game. If the shot is 110 yards I just swing longer with the 9 iron and that seems to work as well.
This isn't new unless you're new to golf. Tom Kite did this back in the 80's and he wasn't the only one. But good on you for bringing this up for people to improve their short game. And yes i'm old..😛 🏌️
Mr Finch your smashing driver irons are good now you sorting the wedges out I can see a trip to the Open coming soon just in time for all your supporters to get out & cheer you on after lockdown. Keep up the great work 🏌️♂️⛳👍
i was booking in to get my iron gapping sorted, now i will definitely be doing it for my wedges too, never considered the importance of this rather than going off feel. The devil is in the detail, great video.
I made up an abbreviated WAD some time ago after watching one of your vlogs; fewer clubs, shorter distances and 2 types of swing. It's not perfect but it certainly does help. Seriously envious of your Golf-Cave set-up Cheers
What an absolutely unreal video from start to finish! Possibly the best explained video of a what can be made to be a very confusing subject! Unreal Pete unreal sir
Part of this is obviously from Pelz. He recommends 7:30, 9, 10:30 swings with what he calls dead hands which is zero tension and a smooth swing which the 10:30 swing is about 75% of full distance power swing. he also recommends having a full follow through to rule out a variable. When I first worked this out old school in 2008 with 10 meter hats with a ball every meter my numbers worked out at in meters for 4 wedges starting at 50= 57,73,87 with a full swing being 105. 54 was 47, 62, 78 with a full shot 90....60= 35, 48, 63 with full power shot 75. 64= 23, 38, 53 with a full power shot at 60. I have gone to a new configuration of 48,53,58,64 and need to redo. I'm now 42 and off plus1 and worked out more than ever I can compete wit young guns by being precise with wedges. As Pelz says, "It's not how good you putt, it's where you putt from that matters" Get inside the golden 8 rule to have a better scores. Good video Pete.
This. Enjoyed watching you and Rick playing my boyhood courses from afar, but this is a step up now in your content. Junior at West Lancs ( 30 ) years ago, and still hcp 1. This was worthwhile. A real step up . 👍
As a 4 hcp, the basic grid is all that is needed. When I try to alter the swing or clubface, more variables come in that really don't payoff. Wind , dew, green contour or pin position, ect. play a factor too. Just what I am working on now, thanks for a great video!
This was the best video I have seen so far in relation to wedge play, amazing to see all the different shots available and the work required. Definitely the area where the most work is needed for me. Excellent video
This is almost exactly what I started doing a month or two ago but just the low-tech version at the driving range. Good to see I was on the right track!
I'm coming back to this video to say that after watching it I went and used my Mevo + unit and started building the same type of chart you have for 4 wedges, 3 swings, 3 ball positions to help me make decisions on the course. I have played 2 rounds since starting this process and must admit that this is the absolute BEST i have ever hit my wedges. In my last round I didn't hit a wedge outside of 15ft. Thanks for making this video!
I absolutely love the wedge yardage chart. When you did this before, I made my own using the swing caddie. Not as accurate but plenny effective. Improved my game by taking pressure off the rest of my game. Feeling like it’s ok if I don’t hit the green.
Watched it ... WACD it. Great knowledge Mr Finch. It's going into the bag (of techniques. My local shop rents their fitting area out.. which has a launch monitor. I'll get the data from there.
I know that short game videos get as much attention as the short game practice area at my course... but, please continue with more “short game” please!!! Cheers. Sorry, did I mention, thanks for the template chart and a great video!
This is Peter at his very best!! I have missed this type of content on this channel. Though I love the 340 yd bombs, the wedge game is where shots are gained and lost. This was gold. Keep it coming. 💪
Great vid Pete, been watching a few wedge videos and this one is top. What would be great to know about know is things like spin and different flights. If you hit a lower flighted shot, does it go the same distance still? If not, how much does it add/take away? How much does wind then affect these shots? How about spin - how do you control it, add more, take it away, and how much spin are you expecting in different types of conditions etc.? I understand these are more advanced questions, but I haven't seen them addressed in many videos on RU-vid at all, so would be great to hear your take on it.
Best Pro on RU-vid Pete 👏🏼 your videos are brilliant and provide great info. Always look forward to watching a new one of your videos. Cheers and keep up the amazing work mate.
This is incredibly validating!! I’ve been working on this system all off-season on trackman at 5iron golf. I’m getting yardages dialed in for 3 partial wedges, full swing and a sort of knockdown swing. For the partial wedges I’ve focused on 3 areas of control: club speed (considering optimal speed to dial in strike point), dynamic loft, face angle (relating to target line). It’s amazing to see the improvement in the consistency of the carry distances. I see so many teachers talking about feeling these shots, that only works for the best players in the world who can practice theses shots 4 hours a day. This system is tops!
This is the best video you have ever done ! Bravo 👏 I love the scientific approach, it exactly what I want to do to improve my short game. I don’t think my swing is consistent enough to give good data ( I’m 25 HC, pensioner and only been playing 3 years) but I know that if I can improve my short game then I can lower my handicap. Thank you very much. Steve, Yorkshire
Great video. I love your content. I’ve learned a lot and it’s fun. What grinds did you choose on the sm8’s and why btw? Sorry. Jumped the gun 🤪. 80,pts
For someone who plays DRIVER then WEDGE on a majority of the holes at my local, this is exactly what I needed to watch! Getting fitted for a new 50degree in a couple weeks! So thank you Finchy for this video! Keep up the good work and good luck for the future in your PGA NR Comps!
I practice my wedges a lot. And totally agree with you that everyone can be good with wedges. I do wonder what the dynamic is with wedges off mats and turf. In my experience mishits are not as severely punished on the mats, sometimes you even get a bit more distance.
Part of the first half of my range session is to hit my 58-54-50-PW-9i-8i to the 30-40-50-60-70-80 & 90 yard markers to help create a feel for hitting different clubs a variety of distances. Looking forward to the ranges opening up in the U.K. next week with 3 rounds planned for the easter weekend!
Great stuff, Pete. I personally try to minimize the changes to the swing itself for the “in-between” distances. For ex, if a 54* goes 60 yds at 1/2 swing and 75 yds at 3/4 and I have a 68 yd pin, I’m looking for something between my 1/2 and 3/4 swings. A lot of times I also will rely on hand position to impact distance, so a regular grip 3/4 swing could be 75 yds, but choking up the grip a ways could take off 5 yards easy and it’s still the same swing and swing thought. This is where the art of the game comes in, it really is one of the most rewarding and greatest feelings!
This video & concept is huge in dropping scores. Did it before and coming back to it now. Not only for bombers too, for any of us that Mia hit a second shot these yardages can save par 💪
I'd love to see a video on adjusting based on temperature. Say you get all these yardages down based on a certain temperature, is there a somewhat accurate formula to then adjust based on temperature?
Lots of golf ranges have things like Top Tracer as well. it might not be quite as accurate for distance, but for a few quid for an hour, it can help without spending the £20 - £40 quid some pros charge.
This is my dad. He's a former PGA pro like you and has always had a phenomenal short game. I'm trying to beat him out on the course in hopes of spurning him to practice more as I think he can make the Senior PGA.
Great content this, didn't think you had it in you 😂. Going to take this on the home range and try to nail this down before golf opens up here because my approach stats have been "trash" 😉
Wedges/Chipping/Putting make up what, 75% or so of the total strokes? Roughly? Putting makes up half. So if you can be a good putter and then great around the greens and inside 120yds, you will shave untold number of strokes off your game.
Currently going through my own wedge delima... I hit it off the tee box great but keep getting stuck with my wedges. Going to just have to grind on my gc2!
Great video, I did exactly this a couple of years back and it made a huge difference to my wedge game and ultimately my handicap. I go went up to 8 iron with the 3 swings amazing what options that gives you out on the course.
Do you think you could also do a bit of work on your favourite yardages? If you have a problem 20 yards you can always try and avoid them. Take a 3 or 7 wood off the tee so you’ve less risk of being at an awkward distance, I’m sure that’s what a caddy would tell you.
A great wedge player can play with anyone. There is no doubt about that. You get it in play off the tee, but you score with wedges, short game, and putter. Most of the game is played from 100 yards in.
Wow great video I have a feeling this is going to totally change my game it has definitely changed the way I look at shots from 120 yds in. I’m now gonna get my own WAD and take it on the course with me! Thanks Pete
A while back you did a great "Mickelson's Wedge Technique" video that was super fun. Would love to see you do other videos showing other famous various wedge techniques-Jason Day or Tiger or whoever.
