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Pitching WedgesWedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Short Game with Jon Rahm: Creativity Inherited from Seve

Jon Rahm talks about his wedge play and what his idol, Seve Ballesteros, taught him. He describes the difference between a 75-yard shot and a 30-yard shot, his preference for a low, spinning ball, and the creativity that allows him to vary his shots.

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Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

15 minSame problemBall Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by MorikawaCollin Morikawa · Intermediate / Expert10 minNext Level UpJustin Thomas's backspin pitch: grip and handsJustin Thomas · Expert6 minFrom the same proJon Rahm's Consistency: Driver and 7-Iron, Ten in a RowJon Rahm · Expert

What the lesson shows

For Jon Rahm, there's a world of difference between one shot from 75 yards and one shot from 30 yards, and the closer you get to the green, the more variables come into play. What sets him apart, in his view, is his ability to hit the ball low with spin: A lower trajectory is more accurate, less affected by the wind, and easier to predict. He also says that he used to hit the ball poorly when he was growing up, so he had to get good at playing around the green.

What he remembers most about Seve Ballesteros is creativity. Without 60 degrees, Seve's generation had to adjust the clubface more, whereas today we play with a square clubface at 70 yards. But Just because you can do a spin doesn't mean you should always do it: Jon Rahm likes to mix things up, make the ball bounce, and let it roll toward the hole. “What we learn from Seve,” he concludes, “is the imagination and confidence to take risks with our shots.”.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Distinguish between your 75-yard shots and your shots closer to the green, which require different decisions.
  2. As soon as possible, choose a lower trajectory with backspin to improve accuracy.
  3. Near the green, consider several options before making your choice.
  4. When spin isn't necessary, bounce the ball and let it roll.
  5. Exercise your imagination by varying your strokes.

Key Takeaways

A 75-yard shot and a 30-yard shot are very different.
A low, spinning shot is more accurate and more predictable.
Less height means fewer problems with steering and wind.
Just because you can make the ball spin doesn't mean you always have to.
Bouncing and rolling the ball is still an option.
Seve's legacy: imagination and confidence.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Play every wedge shot the same way.
  • Always look for spin because we know how to generate it.
  • Hit the ball high when a low trajectory would be safer.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Wedges at 75 and then 30 yards to feel the difference
  2. Low, spinning shots toward the same flag
  3. The same shot played once with a spin and once on the roll

Your Questions

What sets Jon Rahm's wedge set apart?

According to him, it's his ability to hit the ball low with spin. A lower trajectory is more accurate, less affected by the wind, and easier to predict.

What did he learn from Seve Ballesteros?

Creativity, imagination, and the confidence to try different moves. Without the 60-degree angle, Seve had to adjust the board’s angle more.

Should you always make the ball spin near the green?

No. Jon Rahm likes to mix it up: when spin isn't necessary, he lets the ball bounce and roll toward the hole.

Learn More

All “Pitching and Wedges” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Wedge Play = Pitching and Chipping” →Find the lesson that's right for you Justin Thomas's backspin pitch: grip and handsHigh pitch that stops: light left-hand grip in the palm, hands low to set up the bounce, long-putt tempo, and a “thrown” head for more spin. Ball Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by MorikawaToo much loft at impact causes the ball to rise off the clubface: Morikawa demonstrates how to avoid this with a 40-yard wedge shot, a lob, and an uphill pitch. A Partial Wedge Shot That Bites: The Morikawa MethodA feel-based system rather than a clock, a short backswing without decelerating, and a descending strike even uphill to make the ball bite. Jon RahmAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jon Rahm). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

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