Engaging this body part is key to hitting great shots

Seventy yards: That’s all between you and the pin – whether your second shot lands on a par 4 or your third on a par 5. It’s a common distance for most rec players, most of whom will try to cover full sand. wedge so that this is firm. That is not really the way.

From this range, it is important to control the trajectory and rotation, not necessarily to impress your friends with how hard you can put on the sand iron. The smart play here is to grab your gap, squeeze it a solid three inches and hit the shot with a controlled motion that – despite what you’ve learned or been told – uses body action and no hands.

Here’s a trick, which works for any type of mid-distance wedge. As you settle into address, make sure the grip is pointing toward your stomach, with the ball centered in your center and 60 percent of your weight over your front foot. As you swing, turn your stomach as you swing the club, keeping your grip straight through your midsection and back, impacting and – importantly – your follow through.

If you maintain this relationship and avoid any excessive hand movement, you will always get these images close

Scott Munroe is a GOLF Top 100 instructor who teaches at The Boca Raton Club in Boca Raton, Fla., and Nantucket GC in Siasconset, Mass.