The picture above shows, from left to right, my lob wedge, sand wedge and pitching wedge
(I know, I should have cleaned them before taking the photo!)
Notice that my lob wedge (left) has the most loft or angle on the face, it is designed to lift the ball high in the air and stop it quickly, This is really handy when the pin is close to the front but there is also lots that can go wrong with this shot, you can send it sailing over the back of the green or duff it right in front of you if you play the shot incorrectly.
As you reduce the loft on the club, sand and pitching wedges, the ball will not fly as high or stop as quickly but there is more room for error and less that can go wrong with the shot, so in theory the pitching wedge is an easier club to use than a lob wedge.
You can take this to the extreme and use an 8 iron to chip and run with, the least risky club to chip with, but you need to allow for the ball to fly low off the club face and run quite a lot. (ie Close to the edge of the green and the pin is back, this obviously wouldn’t work over a bunker with the pin close to the front))
So, if you can use an 8 iron to chip with, do so, and only use the lob wedge and sand wedge when you have a nice grassy lie and you need to lift the ball high and stop the ball really quickly, ie over a bunker when the pin is close to the front.
Quick tip.
I know I have said this a lot but resist the urge to scoop the ball into the air when chipping and pitching, let the club lift the ball for you.
Keep the left wrist straight and firm through impact.
They spend a lot of money designing the club to lift it for you…so let it !!!!
Good Golfing,
Anne 0404 235 563
Good Golfing!
Anne