Get a leg up on the short game and wedge play by developing distance wedge distances inside 100 yds. Establishing average distances for different wedges and swing lengths is the key to sticking the ball close to the hole on approach shots to create birdie opportunities.
Inside 100 yds should represent a scoring opportunity provided that no prior swing mistakes were made.
Below is my 3 x 3, 100 yard scoring matrix and average distances. Observe that my matrix creates 9 distinct distances. From my base distances, I can make small adjustments to nail distances in between the base distances.
To use the matrix, understand that 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 represent backswing lengths in clock format with the center of the body being the median. The top of this imaginary clock is the head which is 12:00. The bottom, between the feet is 6:00. The position of the left arm represents the dial on the clock. So a 7:30 swing would feature the left arm swinging back just below the right hip. 9:00 puts the left arm at a 90 degree to the body and parallel to the ground in the backswing. 11:00 is just less than a full shot.
| Club Selection | 7:30 | 9:00 | 11:00 |
| Pitching Wedge | 61 yds | 81 yds | 102 yds |
| Sand Wedge | 33 yds | 54yds | 69 yds |
| Lob Wedge | 21 yds | 43 yds | 65 yds |
Develop your own wedge scoring matrix by hitting balls with a pitching wedge from the 7:30 position. Pace off how far each ball was hit and record the average distance. Progress to 9:00 and repeat the process until you have completed each backswing distance with each wedge.
Having staple 'go to' distances and clubs will prove worth it and will make you a better distance wedge player.
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