It’s important to realize that in golf there are two swings – a power swing for big shots and another swing for performance inside thirty yards. This swing technique we will call a finesse wedge. With a finesse wedge we create a high soft shot with more backspin that stops quickly on the green. A finesse wedge is not only different from your full swing, but it is almost exactly opposite when it comes to sequencing. So it’s critical to practice them both. Let’s get into the fundamentals of the finesse wedge.
Start with the setup. The feet should be close together, with the front toe facing slightly out and left of the target. This allows us to stay balanced as we turn toward the target and release the club. Next we need to establish the low point of the swing in front of the ball. This is done by slightly rotating the chest toward the target in setup.
Take a very light grip with the trail hand slightly on top of the club and a soft fold in the elbows and the left wrist slightly cupped. There should be just enough hip hinge for the arms to dangle straight down from the shoulders. Lastly, we want to stack the shoulders and hips so there is no lateral bend away from the target like there would be in a power swing.
Keep the body rotation minimal, the backswing is done softly and mostly arms and hands. Do not take the club inside the target line, keep it on plane with the toe up. In the power swing, the lower body and especially the hips are responsible for generating power. In the finesse wedge shot, their job is to create stability.
The downswing should be tension free as you let gravity pull the club down to impact position. The shaft of the club should be close to vertical at impact as we do not want the forward shaft lean of the power swing. The release will happen naturally if you relax and rotate your chest toward the target. Your finish position will have your elbows slightly bent and the club in front of the chest. The club face should point straight up to the sky.
The sequencing of the finesse wedge is the exact opposite of the power swing. With the power swing, the hips initiate the downswing and the shoulders, arms, hands and club head follow. This sequence will not help your chipping. During the downswing of the finesse wedge, the the club head moves first and everything else follows in reverse order, with the hips last to join in.
As you finish the shot, your momentum will pull your head and body slightly toward the target. Let it happen, and do not try to keep your head still after impact. Allowing your head to flow toward the target helps to ensure that the low point of your swing is in front of the ball.
Confused? Don’t be. Let’s review our Top 5 Key Points.
1. Setup with feet close together and slightly open to the target
2. Backswing on plane with toe up
3. Release the club with soft elbows and club face pointing to the sky
4. Use optimal sequence for finesse
5. Gently allow your energy to flow to the pin
Or just watch Anna on the video and do what she does!
Kyiv Golf Academy 