How to Hit Partial Wedge Shots

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Instructors Tony Ruggiero

Do in between wedge yardages give you fits? Tony Ruggiero teaches three different techniques to effectively take off a few yards from your stock wedge distances. Try them all on the range and use what feels best on the course.

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Comments (9)

Thanks Tony. I have a question about club selection. Let's say my full swing with my most lofted wedge (60 d) goes 75 yards. As the carry length needed gets shorter and shorter, would you generally stay with the 60 d for pitches less than 75 yards, using progressively shorter backswings (per your video) to get the right distance, or would you also cycle through different wedges? (e.g., 75 yards - full 60d; for 65 yards - 9 o'clock 52 degree; for 55 yards, 9 o'clock 56 degree, etc.)? Thanks

Thanks, Tony. The choking up is something that I've forgotten, and your 3/4 swing... Improving my short game has been proven to lower my scores even when playing only every couple of weeks during the winter by just practicing...these two tips are going to help me even more. 6-8 handicap during the winter

Tee up your thoughts here...

Brian W.

February 10, 2026 08:39 AM

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Tony r. Instructor

February 10, 2026 03:08 PM

Brian
I would suggest starting w your 60 or lob wedge and figure out how far it goes from say shoulder high back then waist high or whatever check point or reference point you want. I would write these distances down and then do w each of your wedges. Invariably you will find a shot or two that go same distances but w diff trajectory and spins. This allows you more shots for different lies and different situations.

Brian W.

February 10, 2026 06:37 PM

@Tony r.

Thanks Tony - this was a great topic to cover. If you can get down in 2 from 50 yards, or at worst 3, it is a huge saving stroke-wise.

Tony r. Instructor

February 11, 2026 07:48 AM

@Brian W.

Yes sir. One time on my ol radio show Ben Crenshaw said the best advice he would give a young player was
“The only way to turn a 5 into a 4 a 4 into a 3 or a 3 into a 2 is with a wedge and a putter. Thanks for watching let me know how we can help your game

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Cindy M. Instructor

February 16, 2026 07:13 PM

Brenda R.
Yes, this tactic is called Plumb Bobbing. It works very well! If it works for you, keep doing it!

Valentino F.

February 10, 2026 08:03 AM

Tony r. Instructor

February 10, 2026 08:07 AM

Valentino thanks for the note. It’s always interesting how sometime we help people simply by remembering things we used to do etc. it’s easy to forget things that work for us. Sometimes improving is just making sure we stay committed to and remember what we do to do our best

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Bob S.

February 10, 2026 02:39 PM

Tony what’s a good drill to insure that I come through on the shorter shots? When I get inside 100 yds I have a tendency to not swing through and really shorten my swing and it’s causing problems thanks

Tony r. Instructor

February 10, 2026 03:05 PM

@Bob S.

Bob great question and without a doubt the hardest part with these partial shots is making your pivot continue thru the ball. I would suggest making a shorter backswing and a shorter follow thru maybe one that feels 3/4 back and less than shoulder height thru and feel aggressive w ur chest (sternum) thru the ball. I think the key is to feel aggressive w ur upper body thru. Make sure it finishes over your lead leg