One of my favorite drills is hitting wedges with one hand. Doing so gives you a sense for the weight of the clubhead and is especially good for warming up or if you haven’t played for a while.
Here’s what to sense and try during the drill:
Using only your right hand allows the right arm to fold while the right hand monitors the weight of the clubhead and allows you to work different shot patterns with just that hand. Hitting a smooth, high flop shot with just the right hand is great for feeling the right amount of gravity needed for such shots. It’s also good for sensing how quiet the hands need to be when hitting these shots.
Using only your left hand lets you sense how the left arm should reconnect to your chest in the transition to the downswing because any attempt to over-accelerate will lead to inconsistent, bladed or chunked shots.
You’ll likely be better with one arm over the other, so spend extra time hitting shots with the arm that feels less comfortable swinging the club on its own. Many players favor a left-arm swing for lower chips and a lighter right hand for higher shots.
That’s where alternating hands during practice sessions will give you a good feel for how each arm and hand works during the motion. It might feel awkward at first, but once you get it down and transfer that feeling to your two-handed chips you’ll be surprised how little energy is needed to hit short shots with finesse and accuracy.
Geoff Murtha is an Australian PGA professional and coach at Dove Canyon Golf Club who specializes in training and techniques for advanced golfers. Reach him at (800) 279-0225, pro@golfacademyonline.comor golfacademyonline.com.
