Practicing weight shift and shaft lean with the blue brick

Unlock the Secret to Consistent Wedge Play

If you’re ready to elevate your short game and achieve consistent, reliable wedge contact, you’re in the right place. I’m Clay Ballard from Top Speed Golf, and in this guide, I’ll show you a simple yet effective practice routine inspired by PGA Tour professionals. You’ll learn to master ball-first contact, perfect shaft lean, and optimize your weight shift for improved performance on the course.

Discover the Common Wedge Shot Challenges

A major challenge for many golfers is making fat or thin contact with their wedges. This often stems from improper weight shifts and incorrect shaft positions at impact. By using specific tools and techniques, such as a blue brick and strike-spray line, you’ll gain valuable visual feedback to refine your motion and ensure progress.

The Blueprint for Perfecting Your Wedge Play

This step-by-step guide will help you:

• Draw a strike line that guides your ball contact.
• Set up a blue brick for accurate shaft lean at impact.
• Incorporate drills to practice weight shifts and correct swings.

Step 1: Set Up the Strike Line

A simple white line, drawn about 1.5 inches behind your golf ball using strike spray, becomes crucial for visual feedback. Ensure your divot starts in front of this line to achieve ball-first contact. This signifies a descending angle of attack, essential for clean, spin-rich wedge shots.

Step 2: Position the Blue Brick

Use a blue brick to mirror the shaft lean and swing plane of a pro golfer. Placing it correctly ensures your wedge shaft aligns perfectly at impact, reinforcing a consistent and effective strike.

Step 3: Train the Correct Weight Shift

Shifting weight incorrectly is a common error. Practice moving your weight to the left during the backswing to set up the correct striking position. This positions your body for an efficient, powerful downswing.

Step 4: Analyze Your Divots

Post-swing, check where your divot starts. Consistently starting divots at or just in front of the original ball position enhances your wedge game.

Step 5: The Feet-Together Step Drill

This drill reinforces the timing and feel of your weight shift. It helps maintain a closed upper body and ensures smooth, powerful downswings.

Step 6: Transfer the Feeling to Real Swings

After mastering the feet-together drill, practice real swings to replicate the learned sensations, ensuring proper weight shift and shaft lean.

Step 7: Structure a 30-Minute Practice Session

1. Warm up with smooth swings focusing on contact.
2. 10 minutes on the line-and-divot drill, monitoring divot outcome.
3. 5 minutes on the feet-together drill without a ball.
4. 5 minutes on full swings, maintaining the learned techniques.
5. Wrap up with random-distance practice to adapt skills.

Common Faults and Quick Fixes

Encounter issues like weight shifting incorrectly or improper shaft alignment? Address these with tools like video feedback and by reinforcing foundational drills.

Why Shaft Lean Is Crucial

Proper shaft lean affects spin, launch, and distance consistency. Using a visual guide like a blue brick ensures your swing mechanics align with professional standards.

The Road to Improved Wedge Play

Consistent practice with these drills can transform your wedge play into a powerful strength on the course. By focusing on precision and structured repetition, your confidence and scoring potential will vastly improve.

Ready for better wedge shots? Find a reliable source for your blue brick and start implementing these drills today!