Drills to Control Distances with Wedge Shots

Introduction

Controlling distance with your wedges is essential for precision scoring. As a PGA Associate, I teach my students how to dial in their wedge game through structured drills that build consistency, touch, and feel. Each person is going to learn differently and respond to different drills/routinbes. This guide covers several proven drills to help you master wedge distance control and improve your ability to hit shots closer to the pin.

1. Clock System Drill

Purpose: Establishes a repeatable system for controlling wedge distances by varying backswing lengths.

  • Use your dominant wedge and select three backswing positions: 9 o’clock, 10:30, and full swing.

  • Maintain a smooth tempo and note the carry distances for each swing length.

  • Repeat with other wedges to create a distance chart for your bag.

2. Three-Ball Drill

Purpose: Develops feel and control by hitting three different distances with the same wedge.

  • Pick a wedge and hit one shot with a full swing, one with a three-quarter swing, and one with a half-swing.

  • Observe the carry and rollout for each shot.

  • Rotate through different wedges to fine-tune distance adjustments.

3. Ladder Drill

Purpose: Helps improve distance consistency by landing shots at precise yardages.

  • Set up targets at 30, 50, and 70 yards.

  • Hit three balls to each target, trying to land each shot as close as possible.

  • Adjust club selection and swing length based on results.

4. One-Handed Wedge Drill

Purpose: Enhances touch and feel by eliminating excessive hand action.

  • Take a wedge and hit soft shots using only your lead hand.

  • Focus on maintaining clubface control and smooth tempo.

  • Gradually incorporate both hands while keeping the same soft feel.

5. Distance Ladder Challenge

Purpose: Builds precision by hitting a series of controlled wedge shots.

  • Start at 20 yards and increase each shot by 10 yards up to 80 yards.

  • If you miss the intended distance by more than five yards, start over.

  • Helps ingrain precise distance control through repetition.

6. Trajectory Control Drill

Purpose: Improves distance control by mastering ball flight height.

  • Hit three shots to the same target: one high, one medium, and one low.

  • Use ball position and shaft lean to manipulate trajectory.

  • Understanding flight variations helps in different course conditions.

Conclusion

Mastering wedge distance control requires structured practice and repetition. These drills will help you develop better touch, consistency, and confidence with your wedges. Track your progress, build a reliable system, and you’ll see a significant improvement in your scoring ability.

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