Golf Tips » January 2002: The High Cut Shot
This months tip was a request from Bill Austin of Pawleys Island who wants to know how to play that high, soft lob shot over a bunker to a tight pin placement, getting the ball to stop fairly quickly.
Vital to the lob shot is the right equipment.You need a 60 degree wedge or a sand wedge with very little bounce. To play this shot correctly you have to open the clubface and if you use a sand wedge with a high degree of "bounce" as in picture #1 the flange will strike the ground first causing the leading edge to hit the ball and a sculled shot will result.
Picture #1
Picture #2
In picture #2 you can see that with a 60 degree wedge I can open the clubface and still slide the clubhead under the ball.
Technique
Picture #3
Take a fairly long backswing fully cocking the wrists as in picture #3
Control the downswing with the torso and not the arms, maintaining the wrist cock and keeping the blade open throughout the shot as in picture #4:
Picture #4
Picture #5
Finally the follow-through will end as in picture #5 with the clubface still facing the sky.
The real secret of this shot is to not allow the fingers to pass the pad of the right hand. See picture #6.
Picture #6
This shot takes a lot of practice in order to master the technique needed for success on the course. However, the results will have a large effect on your score and you’ll feel great satisfaction in having mastered this beautiful shot.
If you have questions about any of our golf tips, please feel free to call us toll free at 1-800-624-4653. Read all of Mel's tips in the Golf Tips Archive.
What if you could bring Mel Sole right into your own home to analyze your swing and offer drills to improve your technique and mechanics? Video Golf Coaching is your ticket to better golf!
