Justin Thomas's Wedge: How He Prepares for the Shot
Solid wedge shots impress a lot of amateur golfers. Golfing World asked Justin Thomas how he approaches them, and what mistake he sees most often among players around the greens.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Justin Thomas starts by evaluate everything: the wind, the lie, the green, the desired spin, and where he wants the ball to land. Once he has chosen the landing zone, he calculates how the wind will affect the shot. He then determines a number and a type of shot, and focuses on just one thing—for example, “a short 110-yard draw.” From one distance to the next, the only things that change are the height, the trajectory, the spin, and the swing: the goal remains to hit that number.
When he was younger and smaller, his main goal was to hit the ball far. He admires the a less vertical downswing and spin control from Steve Stricker, as well as what Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson do with a wedge. The mistake he sees amateurs make on tricky pitch shots: not taking enough clubs and automatically default to the same club around the green, instead of choosing the club and shot that the situation calls for.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Pay attention to the wind, the lie, and the shape of the green.
- Decide where you want to place the ball and what kind of spin to put on it.
- Choose the landing zone, then adjust the distance based on the wind.
- Describe the shot in one sentence: distance and trajectory.
- Choose the club that's appropriate for the situation, not your usual club.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't take too few clubs.
- Always use the same club around the green.
- Play without having a specific number or path in mind.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Wedges for distances called out aloud
- Same distance covered with two different clubs
- Tricky pitches when switching clubs depending on the situation
Your Questions
How does Justin Thomas set up for a wedge shot?
He assesses the wind, the lie, the green, and the desired spin, chooses the landing zone, and then boils it all down to a single number and a single shot—like a short 110-yard draw.
What mistake does he see among amateurs?
Not choosing the right club, and automatically using the same club around the green even though the shot sometimes calls for a different club and a different trajectory.
Which players does he cite as examples?
Steve Stricker for his gentle downswing and spin control, as well as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Justin Thomas). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.