Butch Harmon's Low Wedge That Bites: Hands After the Ball
A low shot that hooks on the first bounce: Butch Harmon is working on this wedge shot with professional golfer Mark Smith. No complicated technique—just two key sensations: the hands stopping just past the ball and the right hand accelerating.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Butch Harmon asks for keep the club's loft: no spoon movement, just a slight release, and both hands coming stop together right after the ball, left arm extended. That’s the only thing to keep in mind: put your hands there, without worrying about the ball. When done right, the ball gets spin and slows down on the first bounce. If it goes too high without spin, it means the shot was a “spoon.”.
For even more spin, it feels like a slight downward cut with the right hand, which makes a slight clicking sound as it moves to the stop position. The player tended to pull everything with his left hand. Harmon wants him to shift gears with the right hand against the left, with a slightly slower overall tempo. On a shorter beat, it's still the right hand that provides the energy.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Take a practice swing by bringing both hands together just past the ball, with your left arm extended.
- Stop the movement right there: no grand finish.
- Hit a few balls with just that in mind: keep the loft.
- Watch the first bounce: the ball has to stick.
- For more spin, add a slight downward cut with your right hand until you reach the stop position.
- Slow down the overall tempo a little and let your right hand set the pace.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Make a scoop to help the ball rise.
- Shoot everything with your left hand.
- Continue the motion instead of stopping right after the ball.
- Swinging too fast: you lose control of the spin.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Test swings stopped with the hands after the ball
- Balls, watching the first bounce
- Series featuring a right-hand grip for more spin
- Same exercise with shorter swings, keeping the right hand active
Your Questions
Where should your hands end up on this low wedge?
According to Butch Harmon, keep both hands together, right after the ball, with your left arm extended. He advises focusing only on that, not on the ball.
Why does my ball keep going up without stopping?
That's a sign of a spoon shot: the loft increased upon impact. Harmon, on the other hand, wants to maintain the club's loft.
What role should the right hand play?
She's the one who puts speed on the ball with her left hand, using a slight downward cut for more spin. Hitting the shot with just the left hand takes the power out of it.
Do you have to swing fast to make the ball bite?
No: Harmon calls for a slightly slower overall rhythm, with the speed coming from the right hand near the ball.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Butch Harmon). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.