Freddie Couples Weak Left Hand Wedge Drill: Play like a Legend
High, soft pitches
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This weak left hand wedge drill explores the grip adjustment Freddie Couples uses for a high, soft pitch. Watch his demonstration, make a small change to your lead-hand position and let the club swing through the ball.
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Watch Freddie Couples demonstrate the pitch
Step 1. Weaken your left hand
What to do
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Start with your usual setup | Choose a short wedge shot from a suitable practice lie. Take your normal right-handed grip before making the adjustment. |
| Adjust the lead hand | Turn the left hand slightly towards the target around the grip, following the video. “Weak” describes the hand’s position, rather than how loosely you hold the club. |
| Make a small change | Keep a secure, comfortable hold. Rehearse the motion before hitting a ball, rather than forcing an exaggerated grip position. |
Step 2. Swing freely through
What to do
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Choose the shot | Set up approximately 40 yards from a practice hole. Pick a landing spot that suits the lie and the amount of roll you expect. |
| Rehearse the feel | Make a comfortable short wedge swing with the adjusted lead-hand grip. Feel the club travelling through the ball area. |
| Play the pitch | Use the same grip adjustment and let the club swing through to a balanced finish. Observe the height, landing point and finishing distance. |
Quick practice checks
| Watch for | Try this |
|---|---|
| Changing too much at once | Keep the lie, club and starting distance consistent while exploring the grip adjustment. |
| Trying to scoop the ball up | Return to a smooth rehearsal and let the wedge’s loft provide the height. |
| Uncomfortable contact | Reduce the grip change and use a shorter rehearsal before trying again. |
Your focus: High, soft pitches
Step 3. Score two sets of nine
What to do
| Score | When to award it |
|---|---|
| 1 point | The ball finishes within nine feet of the hole, including a holed shot. |
| 0 points | The ball finishes outside nine feet. |
FAQs
What equipment do I need?
Wedge + golf balls.
How do I set up this drill?
What should I focus on during practice?
Set up approximately 40 yards from a practice hole. Pick a landing spot that suits the lie and the amount of roll you expect. Make a comfortable short wedge swing with the adjusted lead-hand grip. Feel the club travelling through the ball area. Use the same grip adjustment and let the club swing through to a balanced finish. Observe the height, landing point and finishing distance.
How should I record my practice?
What should I keep in mind when practising?
What drill do you recommend I do next?
Try Wedge Nine Ball Flights Drill next to explore a choice of wedge trajectories.
You could also use One Arm Wedge Drill to compare lead-hand-only, trail-hand-only and two-handed wedge pitches. For another focused practice task, try Goldilocks Wedge Drill to build distance feel with short, long and on-target wedge shots.
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