The area inside 100 yards is often called the scoring zone. While crushing a long drive is satisfying, the true difference between an amateur score and a low score is consistency and control with the wedge. Many recreational golfers treat the 100-yard shot as a full swing, leading to inconsistency, bad trajectory, and poor distance control.
Our featured video, “3 Simple Wedge Strategies Pros Use From Inside 100 Yards | The Game Plan | Golf Digest”, reveals the sophisticated, yet simple, strategies that tour professionals employ to turn those mid-range wedge shots into automatic scoring opportunities.
The Amateur Wedge Mistake
Amateurs typically struggle inside 100 yards because they lack a systematic approach. They often make these mistakes:
- One Swing Speed: Using a full-speed swing for every distance, making it difficult to control the ball’s flight and spin.
- Deceleration: Fearing the fat shot, the player slows down, leading to lost power and unpredictable results.
- Ignoring the Three “Pitches”: Failing to utilize the simple, clock-face system that pros use to manage distances.
To hit your irons correctly and consistently, you need a stable, simplified motion, and this applies doubly to wedge play.
The 3 Simple Wedge Strategies
The Golf Digest Game Plan breaks down the short-range wedge game into three distinct, easily repeatable strategies. The goal is to maximize solid contact and spin, rather than just brute force.
- The Clock System (Distance Control): Pros use specific backswing lengths (e.g., 9 o’clock, 10:30, and full) to hit precise distances. This strategy replaces guessing with geometry, providing guaranteed DISTANCE control and trajectory management.
- The Stinger/Low Flight (Wind Control): When facing windy conditions, a pro will adjust the ball position and weight distribution to hit a lower, penetrating shot, minimizing the ball’s exposure to the wind—a crucial skill for tackling tough courses.
- The Landing Zone Approach (Spin Control): Instead of aiming at the pin, pros choose a LANDING ZONE. They adjust the wedge loft and swing speed to ensure the ball spins and releases correctly toward the hole. This strategy is key to controlling the ball around the green.
By mastering these three simple strategies, you are moving beyond general chipping tips and adopting the disciplined, systematic approach that pros use to score better.
Are you ready to stop leaving strokes inside 100 yards? Check on YouTube