Titleist Tips: Lean the Shaft for More Consistent Distance Wedges

If you take look at the best wedge players in the world, you might be surprised to learn that they all lean the shaft forward as they make contact with the golf ball. That goes for finesse shots as well as distance wedges. In fact, the findings generated by WedgeCraft, a data collective founded by Layne Savoie and Dr. Rob Neal, showed that the best players in the world lean the shaft forward as much as 10°-15° at impact. Why? Because leaning the shaft forward compresses the ball against the face of the wedge more, creating more friction and imparting more spin on the golf ball. Forward shaft lean will also help you to create more consistent contact and more predictable launch conditions. As you get more consistent in how you deliver the wedge to the ball, you can quickly start dialing in your feel for distance and begin to play wedge shots more aggressively. In this video, Layne Savoie shows how it’s done, sharing a drill that he uses to ingrain shaft lean, proper impact and control over the golf club. Add this drill to your off-season training and let us know if it helps you to strike your wedges and irons with more consistency and authority. To learn more about Layne and Doc and the wealth of wedge play knowledge they’ve assembled, please visit WedgeCraft.com. IMPACT DRILL Impact is the moment of truth in golf. To hit solid, penetrating shots with their distance wedges, the best players in the world lean the shaft forward at impact by 10°-15°. This drill will help you to develop a sound impact position and give you better command over the golf club and your ball flight. Make a series of slow practice rehearsal swings to preview what forward shaft lean looks like. The keys: ° The left wrist (for a right-handed player) is flexed (bowed) through impact. The right wrist is angled back. Practice pre-setting your wrists and make some slow rehearsal swings, watching as the club head lags behind your hands. ° Feel the connection of your lead arm up against the side of your chest. Maintain this connection throughout your swings. ° Rotate your body to move your arms, hands and club. The object is to open your torso 45° to the target and your lower body even more through the shot. Feel like your entire body is opening up into impact. ° Your hands should lead, be ahead of the clubhead at impact. ° After multiple rehearsal repetitions, set up a foam barrier about a club length outside your lead hip, on your heel line. This barrier will abbreviate your follow-through and force you to keep the club under control. ° Take some focused practice half-swings and then hit a ball, replicating the feeling you had in your rehearsal motions. The object is to control the club with your body rotation, lean the shaft forward at impact and flight the ball down, finishing with your hands just short of the foam barrier. ° The more you rotate your body (and the more you're able to keep your arms and hands quiet), the easier it is to control impact and hit penetrating distance wedges that spin like the pros. ° You can also apply this drill to your iron game to improve impact, contact and ball flight.