Titleist Tips: Lean the Shaft for More Consistent Distance Wedges

If you take look at the best wedge players in the world, you might be surprised to learn that they all lean the shaft forward as they make contact with the golf ball. That goes for finesse shots as well as distance wedges. In fact, the findings generated by WedgeCraft, a data collective founded by Layne Savoie and Dr. Rob Neal, showed that the best players in the world lean the shaft forward as much as 10°-15° at impact.

Why? Because leaning the shaft forward compresses the ball against the face of the wedge more, creating more friction and imparting more spin on the golf ball.

Forward shaft lean will also help you to create more consistent contact and more predictable launch conditions. As you get more consistent in how you deliver the wedge to the ball, you can quickly start dialing in your feel for distance and begin to play wedge shots more aggressively.