Wedge Play in Wet Conditions

On the West Coast it’s been wet, and the ground is soggy.

In these conditions, you can’t get away with a thin-sole, low-bounce lob or sand wedge — grind matters.

When the ground is very soft, bounce tends to dig rather than slide. Don’t try to compress the ball the same way; instead, pick it clean.

Keep your chips and pitches low — this isn’t the time to play the ball high. Try it and you’ll understand what all the fuss is about with wedge design: toe shape, bounce, grind.

It’s actually not that complicated — but it does take integration.

Remember, the toe slides more than the heel — and when the heel catches, that’s what digs first. That’s why many players have their lob wedge fitted more upright and tend to hit more on the toe side.

Speaking of fitting, wedge fitting should be about increasing your dynamics, not gapping yardage on full shots.

The bounce digging doesn’t just cause chunks; it also affects direction and shape, since the face won’t react the same when the bounce isn’t sliding like it would on firmer turf.

Once conditions improve, I’ll show how to choose the right equipment and demonstrate different chipping styles for each. Some clubs let you get away with things others simply don’t.

Wedges are scoring clubs — the area you need a lot of versatility.