Pitch ShotsPitching WedgesSpin (create a…)Wedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Expert / Intermediate ⏱ 15 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Ball Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by Morikawa

Name: Ball Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by Morikawa
Uploaded: 2026-06-04T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 15 min 19 s
Channel: Collin Morikawa
Description: What’s the most frustrating wedge shot, according to Collin Morikawa? The one where the ball “rides up the face” and falls short. Together with Grant Horvat, he demonstrates three shots—a 40-yard wedge, a lob, and an uphill pitch—all based on the same principle: don’t apply too much loft and never stop at the ball.

What’s the most frustrating wedge shot, according to Collin Morikawa? The one where the ball “rides up the face” and falls short. Together with Grant Horvat, he demonstrates three shots—a 40-yard wedge, a lob, and an uphill pitch—all based on the same principle: don’t apply too much loft and never stop at the ball.

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Collin Morikawa · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

8 minSame problemRory McIlroy's short-side chip on a tight lieRory McIlroy · Intermediate / Expert 4 minSame problemJordan Spieth's wedges near the flagJordan Spieth · Intermediate / Expert 2 minFrom the same proCollin Morikawa: The "Glove Under the Arm" DrillCollin Morikawa · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

From 40 yards out, Collin Morikawa still plays a cut: He’s looking for an out-to-in path, which adds spin. Grant Horvat, on the other hand, is working on the opposite approach right now with Ted Scott, swinging to the right to hit low draws. Morikawa isn’t saying that one method is better than the other: what matters is how the clubface makes contact. He points out that there is a “point of no return”: with too much loft, the ball rides up on the clubface and flies high without catching the ground. He can open the clubface quite a bit at the start because he closes it during his swing; a player who doesn’t close it doesn’t need to open it as much. And above all, you should never to stop at the ball: The body keeps spinning.

For the lob, there are two options: speed, when the lie isn’t great (you strike just behind the ball, almost like in a bunker), or a long, smooth swing. You have to decide beforehand whether you want spin or height: a lob hit very high won’t bite. Grant, who used to bounce off the ball, has regained his form by taking a wider swing, with that draw feel around his body. On the uphill pitch, Morikawa takes a divot, hands forward, stepping back into the stance. He asks Grant to take a shorter step forward, while continuing to rotate his body.

The Exercise, Step by Step

40-yard wedge: Choose your shot path (cut or draw) and stick with it.
Open the face only as far as you know you can close it again upon impact.
Cut across the ball while continuing to turn your body, without stopping upon contact.
Lob: Decide whether to go for speed (medium lie, hitting just behind the ball) or a long, smooth swing.
If you want height, forget about spin: just focus on getting the ball to rise.
Uphill pitch: Keep the ball back in your stance, hands forward—don't be afraid to touch the ground.
Shorten the backswing and keep your body moving all the way to the finish.

Key Takeaways

Too much loft at impact: the ball rides up the clubface and falls short.

Whether it's a cut or a draw with a wedge, both work as long as the clubface comes through the ball the same way.

You shouldn't open your face too wide at the start unless you know how to close it again.

Never stop at the ball: the body keeps turning.

Lob: Choose between speed and softness, and between spin and height.

Uphill pitch: divot, hands forward, short swing.

Mistakes to Avoid

Hitting the ball with too much loft: the ball rises off the clubface and falls short.
Open the face like a pro without knowing how to close it.
Lock your body at impact as you try to make the ball bite.
Aim for both maximum height and spin on a lob.
A backswing that's too long for the distance, causing you to slow down upon landing.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

40-yard wedge: Listen to the sound—a clean strike means the ball won't rise off the clubface
Lob: Five “speed” balls, five “soft” balls—compare them
Uphill pitch with a divot, hands forward
Same pitch with a shorter backswing; the body keeps going

Your Questions

What does “the ball rises off the clubface” mean?

When you use too much loft at impact, the ball rides up the clubface instead of making solid contact. It flies high without digging in and comes up short. Morikawa describes this as the most frustrating wedge shot.

Should you cut or shape your wedges?

Both. Morikawa always cuts his wedges, while Grant Horvat works on low draws with Ted Scott. Morikawa emphasizes what they have in common: the way the clubface sets up at impact.

Can you make a lob land?

Not really. According to Morikawa, a lob hit very high loses spin. You have to decide beforehand: either make the ball bite or have it land high.

A fast lob or a soft lob—which should you choose?

With a weaker lie, he prefers speed, striking just behind the ball as he would in a bunker: the ball still moves forward. The smooth swing is more precise but leaves less margin for error.

Learn More

All “Pitch Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Pitching and Wedges” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Spin” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All videos on “Wedge Play = Pitching and Chipping” →Find the lesson that's right for you Chip shot from the thick rough—Adam Scott: Read the lieAdam Scott reads the lie by placing the club behind the ball, then plays either a standard bunker shot or a modified bunker shot with fixed wrists against the grain. Adam Scott's choice of wedge around the green: the 54° firstAdam Scott chips with a 54° rather than a 60° from a tight lie, and fixes his thin contact by aiming for a divot after the ball, with his body moving. Rory McIlroy's short-side chip on a tight lieOn a tight lie against the grain, Rory maintains a wide, smooth swing, then switches from an open wedge to a 54° wedge with a square face depending on his position on the green. Collin MorikawaAll of his lessons

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