I love a full-swing wedge or even a little greenside chip. But, what separates the good players from the great are those who know how to hit a wedge shot 50 to 75 yards. 

I’m a teaching pro & a scratch golfer who has played golf for 30 years. I’m always looking to improve my game, even if it is a shot or two here and there. I love testing new strategies on and off the course and studying golf swings to see what works.

If you are ready for a simple and effective strategy for how to hit a wedge shot 50 to 75 yards, I’ve got you covered. 

Hitting A Wedge Shot 50 to 75 Yards: Step-by-Step

For this article, we assume that 50 to 75 yards is an in-between type of yardage for you. (You’ll need a different strategy if your full swing wedge goes 50 – 75 yards)

Note: This guide is for golfers with average to higher swing speeds. 

Club Selection and Lie Analysis 

The sand wedge (something around a 56 degree wedge) is my favorite option for 50 to 75-yard shots – and the club of choice for most golfers. 

For the most part, you will be taking a ½ to ¾ swing, so you want a club that goes ½ to ¾ distance of your full swing with a higher ball flight. 

Setup & Stance

Set up with your feet slightly closer together than usual. They should be a little less than shoulder-width apart. 

Place the ball in the center of your stance and put 60% of your weight on your lead foot. 

Alignment 

Many golfers prefer to align their feet parallel to the target line. However, for a softer and higher lofted shot, you can open them a bit. 

  • You may need to aim a little right of your target line if you do set up with an open stance.

Be aware of pin placement and the slope of the green on these shots. You are trying to finish within 10 feet. So, you may have to adjust your alignment accordingly and anticipate that the ball won’t always stay exactly where it lands.  

Backswing

Start with a slower and more controlled takeaway. There is no need to rush bringing the club back. 

You will have to play with distance control in mind and vary the length of the backswing. 

I feel more connected with the club closer to my body on these shots. I want more extension for a driver swing, but the 50 to 75-yard wedge shot is more compact. 

Make sure you keep your body centered over the golf ball. A large turn with lateral movement is not necessary. 

Impact 

Start the downswing with a lower body turn. 

  • Let your arms drop into place. Make sure your angle of attack is slightly more upright than it might be with a driver or fairway wood. 
  • You want to hit down and through the 50 to 75-yard shot to help increase both spin and launch. 
  • Your lead wrist will be flat at impact. 
  • Center your head over the ball.
  • Nearly all the weight will be transferred to the lead side. 

Follow Through 

Continue to rotate through the 50 to 75-yard shot; you never want to stop at impact. Your follow-through may be shorter than standard because of the shortened backswing. 

Always maintain your balance. 

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on how the ball lands and which way it moves. Not only can this help with your next putt, but it also helps the next time you play the same course. 

How To Control Distance on a 50 to 75-Yard Wedge Shot 

The easiest way to control distance on your 50 to 75-yard shots is to control the backswing length. Yet, that is not the only thing that impacts distance. 

This is why feel is so important in golf. 

You will have to practice hitting 50 to 75-yard shots to narrow down your exact distances. Here are some factors to keep in mind: 

  • Narrowing the stance will decrease your total carry.
  • Choking down on the club makes it shorter, and the ball won’t travel as far. 
  • Choose the right club. Pitching wedge and gap go further, sand wedge in the middle and lob wedge the shortes.t 

Practice Drills For 50 to 75 Yard Wedge Shot 

Use the following short game drills next time you practice 50 – 75-yard shots. 

  • Target Practice: Use a rangefinder to mark three targets. The targets should be 50, 60, and 75 yards away. Use the same wedge to hit one shot at each target. Repeat the process. 
  • Ladder Drill: Grab five balls and the sand wedge to hit a 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80-yard shot. Work up and down the ladder, seeing if you can control distance. 
  • No Yardage Practice: Hit shots to a target based on feel, then shoot it with the rangefinder to see if you got it right. Helps with course management and understanding. 

FAQ

Where should the ball be when using a pitching wedge?

Place the ball in the middle of the stance when using a pitching wedge.

How do you hit a pitch shot?

To hit a pitch shot, place 60% of your weight on the lead foot. Choose a higher lofted wedge. Stay centered over the ball and take a shorter than normal backswing. Ensure you swing down and through the shot to generate spin and proper height. 

Do you hit a pitching wedge like an iron?

Yes, you can hit a pitching wedge like an iron. Yet, you must adjust based on the lie and the type of shot you are attempting to hit. A higher lofted pitching wedge shot may be played back in the stance to promote higher flight. 

Pitching wedge or sand wedge for 50 to 75-yard shot? 

I prefer the sand wedge for the 50 to 75-yard shot. Use your pitching wedge to bring the ball in lower if there’s no trouble between you and the pin.

Final Thoughts on How To Hit A Wedge Shot 50 To 75 Yards

Do you feel more confident in your knowledge on how to hit your wedge 50 to 75 yards? 

This is one of those things that you have to get out there and practice. If you can get confident in this yardage range, expect to see big changes in your ability to score. 

Comment with some of your favorite drills and what you found to work the best. Thanks for reading our guide on how to hit a wedge shot 50 to 75 yards.