There is nothing like new equipment to bring back your confidence. This is particularly true when it comes to chipping, so why not take advantage of the latest technology!

SO WHY DO WE HAVE WEDGES?

Wedges are specifically designed to help you make precise shots around the green and are normally the go-to club in tricky situations. They have a higher loft angle, which allows you to get the ball up in the air quickly and stop it on the green with more control. Wedges are essential for getting out of bunkers, hitting high shots over obstacles and, most importantly, making accurate approach shots.

The game from 100m out is probably the least considered part of an amateur’s golf game and is probably the most important besides putting. Should your wedge – approach play – not be a strong part of your game, chances are you will be putting more often than not.

Having a variety of wedge clubs in your bag can greatly improve your short game and overall performance on the golf course, but they require understanding of the club and practice, practice and more practice. Most golfers hit the range and can’t wait to pound the driver, smoke some mid-irons and putt for hours, but rarely give the short clubs the time of day. Your wedges can be your money shot. How many times have we seen golfers putting from 50m out and through the rough, or using the flatstick to get out of the bunker, all because they are scared of using the wedge?

The pitching-wedge and sand-wedge are a good place to start. I would highly recommend a gap-wedge as the in-betweener, but I wouldn’t even bother with a lob-wedge until your technique is way past average. Book yourself a lesson! Get used to doing different shots with the same club – concentrate on clean striking and ball placement in your stance for different results. Once you have a technique you are comfortable with (from your PGA professional and not a combination of 10 YouTube videos!) set out to grooving it – make it part of your game and shave off shots on every hole!