WORK ON RADIUS… WITH A SMILE

A second concept that is vital to great wedge play is the width of your arc, or the swing’s radius. At set-up your hands are a set distance from your chest; maintain that distance through the swing and your striking will improve. Here’s how.

MIND THE GAP

Good radius sees the gap between hands and chest remain constant through your action. Maintain this distance and you set a steady arc to your action, promoting the smooth and slightly descending attack angle that allows you to use the sole. If the gap shortens and the bungee slackens, you’ll get narrow, steep and choppy.

CRACK A SMILE

Maintaining the stretch in the bungee will massively help you find that constant arc. But whether you have the bungee or not, focus on making a smile shape with your hands, back and through. This will help you find that gentle down-andthrough arc.

RUBBER NECKING

To illustrate radius I’ve placed a rubber bungee strap around my neck, secured against the grip by my hands. If you can use a bungee yourself, so much the better; the stretch in the rubber helps you feel and maintain your width of arc.