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Pitching WedgesWedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Intermediate ⏱ 1 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

The Wedge Clock System: Tiger Woods' Method

Tiger Woods' father believed in the "clock" system for wedges. Tiger Woods says he didn't like this method at first, but later came back to it. In this excerpt, he explains how he associates a specific backswing position with a specific distance.

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Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods · 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 · Expert16 minFrom the same proUneven Lies in Golf: Tiger Woods’ KeysTiger Woods · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

Tiger Woods describes the dial: 6 o'clock is the bottom; 12 o'clock is right behind the head. His father wanted him to set the club back to what he felt was 9 o'clock. When he was younger, Tiger didn't like that idea for wedges; over time, he returned to those bases.

His method is simple: he walks up until it feels like 9 a.m., hits the shot with a wedge, and measures the distance between steps. He does the same with the sand wedge, then at 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock. On the course, once he has one number for each position, he chooses the one that matches the distance and takes the shot.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Take your wedge and note the positions: 6 o'clock at the bottom, 12 o'clock behind your head.
  2. Keep going until you feel like it's 9 a.m., and hit a few balls.
  3. Measure the distance you've achieved, step by step, just like Tiger Woods.
  4. Try again at 10 a.m., then at 11 a.m.
  5. Do the same thing with your sand wedge.
  6. On the course, choose the stance that matches the distance of the shot.

Key Takeaways

The dial extends from 6 o'clock at the bottom to 12 o'clock behind the head.
The method comes from Tiger Woods' father, who used to have the club raised to 9 o'clock.
Tiger initially rejected this method before reconsidering it.
Each backswing position—9 o'clock, 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock—corresponds to a specific distance for each wedge.
Distances are measured on the driving range and then applied on the course.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Playing wedges without knowing the distance from each spot.
  • Relying on an outside perspective rather than on how one feels, even though Tiger describes how he feels as 9 o'clock.
  • Measure a single position using a single wedge and generalize the results.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Series of shots at 9 a.m., distance recorded
  2. Same show at 10 a.m. and then at 11 a.m.
  3. Same story with the sand wedge

Your Questions

What is the clock system?

One way to gauge wedge distances: 6 o'clock is down, 12 o'clock is behind the head, and each backswing position—such as 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock, or 11 o'clock—corresponds to a specific distance.

Where did Tiger Woods get this method?

From his father, who was a big believer in this system. Tiger says he didn't like it when he was younger, but later came around to it.

How can you figure out your distances?

Tiger takes a practice swing from every position, measures the distance by stepping, and does the same for each wedge. On the course, all he has to do is choose the right position.

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. Tiger WoodsAll of his lessons

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