Brandon Stooksbury and "The Wedge Book"

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By Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

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  • 86 Replies
  1. BCH

    BCH

    Brandon
    I have wondered how many wedges I should use and what my goal for gapping should be.

    I have 46, 50, 52,54,56,58 and would like to know what ia the best choice to use and why. Typically play with 46, 52, 58. Have considered 46, 52 bent to 51 and 56.

    Can you help?
  2. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    BHylton said:

    Brandon
    I have wondered how many wedges I should use and what my goal for gapping should be.

    I have 46, 50, 52,54,56,58 and would like to know what ia the best choice to use and why. Typically play with 46, 52, 58. Have considered 46, 52 bent to 51 and 56.

    Can you help?

    I would recommend spreading the gaps out as evenly as you can given the number of wedges you're going to carry. Start with the PW loft and go down 4-5 degrees each wedge from there until you get tot he bottom of the set.
  3. Bob M

    Bob M
    Weddington, NC

    What is the best way to practice long (fairway) shots since most practice facilities don’t include these in their setup?
  4. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Bob M said:

    What is the best way to practice long (fairway) shots since most practice facilities don’t include these in their setup?

    Practice them on the golf course...you should be spending more time out there anyway!!!
  5. Mark S

    Mark S

    How many wedges do you recommend and what lofts?
  6. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Mark S said:

    How many wedges do you recommend and what lofts?

    I would say as many as you can carry...typically 4 total (including the PW). A good spread would be a 45 degree PW, 50, 55, and 60...
  7. Neil S

    Neil S

    Brandon, how do you know when you should replace your wedges?
  8. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Neil S said:

    Brandon, how do you know when you should replace your wedges?

    You generally start to see a degradation of performance around 75 rounds worth of use...and that doesn't include practice!! Most people could get 2 years maximum out of a set before needing to replace, but if you play a lot of golf (50+ rounds per year) or practice with your wedges often I would recommend replacing yearly..
  9. John B

    John B
    Kenmore, NY

    As a HS coach in the North, tryouts are the last week of August and our season ends the the second week of October. So it is too hard to work on their swings. But the fastest way to lower their scores is to work on their short game around the green and putting. We have short game time at every practice. So if I don't win a copy of "The Wedge Book", I will be purchasing it for new ideas. Thank you Brandon and Matt for writing this important book!
  10. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    John B said:

    As a HS coach in the North, tryouts are the last week of August and our season ends the the second week of October. So it is too hard to work on their swings. But the fastest way to lower their scores is to work on their short game around the green and putting. We have short game time at every practice. So if I don't win a copy of "The Wedge Book", I will be purchasing it for new ideas. Thank you Brandon and Matt for writing this important book!

    Thanks for the kind words...the kids will LOVE it!!
  11. David ARK

    David ARK
    Long Beach, NY

    Which club is the best club for a traditional bump and run? Seems like most people default to their 60* and wind up way short. Lots of different opinions and philosophies. Curious to hear your take. Thanks!
  12. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    David A said:

    Which club is the best club for a traditional bump and run? Seems like most people default to their 60* and wind up way short. Lots of different opinions and philosophies. Curious to hear your take. Thanks!

    Just use the loft that allows you to land the ball just on the edge of the green and allow for enough roll to cover the distance between the landing spot and the hole. Could be any club in the bag depending on how much roll you need.
  13. Robert M

    Robert M
    Racine, WI

    How to chose the right wedge around the green...sand wedge vs gap wedge vs pitching wedge. RMiner
  14. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Robert M said:

    How to chose the right wedge around the green...sand wedge vs gap wedge vs pitching wedge. RMiner

    You should use them all depending on the situation and shot needed. Using only one will make you very "one dimensional" around the green...
  15. Curt B

    Curt B

    For green-side bunker shots what is the proper hand position relative to the ball ?
  16. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Curt B said:

    For green-side bunker shots what is the proper hand position relative to the ball ?

    the ball should be forward and the hands should ALWAYS be hanging naturally under your chest/chin
  17. Phil K

    Phil K

    How does one determine the best/most effective loft spacings for my three wedges ?
    Thanx
  18. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Phil K said:

    How does one determine the best/most effective loft spacings for my three wedges ?
    Thanx

    Just spread them out as evenly as possible starting with the loft of your PW...for example, 45, 50, 55, and 60
  19. Gabriel P

    Gabriel P

    Brandon,
    How often ought I change wedge sets if I play every weekend?
    Thanks, Gabe
  20. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Gabriel P said:

    Brandon,
    How often ought I change wedge sets if I play every weekend?
    Thanks, Gabe

    Best case, yearly...worst case, every 2 years...
  21. SMaddox

    SMaddox

    Brandon, I use SM6 56 with 14 bounce for greenside sand shots. When I don’t have much green to work with I use my SM6 60 with 12 bounce to get more spin. Would you recommend I stay with the 56 on the short bunker shots or continue to use different wedge lofts and bounce.
  22. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    SMaddox said:

    Brandon, I use SM6 56 with 14 bounce for greenside sand shots. When I don’t have much green to work with I use my SM6 60 with 12 bounce to get more spin. Would you recommend I stay with the 56 on the short bunker shots or continue to use different wedge lofts and bounce.

    Look at them like tools in a tool belt...they can all be used as the situation requires...
  23. Greg D

    Greg D
    Oklahoma City, OK

    How do I get up and down more consistently?
  24. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Greg D said:

    How do I get up and down more consistently?

    Read the "Wedge Book"...and practice!
  25. Rick M

    Rick M

    Brandon I applaud you for tackling a topic that really isn't written much about. Just as you said, there isn't much out there.
    A question I would love to know is how do players at the highest level control their distances out of the sand? I have no problem at all getting out of the sand and know a little bit about hitting longer greenside sand shots when necessary. What I would love to add to my repertoire is confidence in distance control from the bunker.

    Thanks you and best of luck in book sales!
  26. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Rick M said:

    Brandon I applaud you for tackling a topic that really isn't written much about. Just as you said, there isn't much out there.
    A question I would love to know is how do players at the highest level control their distances out of the sand? I have no problem at all getting out of the sand and know a little bit about hitting longer greenside sand shots when necessary. What I would love to add to my repertoire is confidence in distance control from the bunker.

    Thanks you and best of luck in book sales!

    They are VERY consistent in the amount of sand they take (the consistency of the divot) on every bunker shot. That helps them to predict how the ball will react once it get on the green. Learn to control the divot (depth, length, and direction) and you'll get better quickly!
  27. Roger K

    Roger K

    A challenge I find myself occasionally is being at the beginning of a bunker, with 10-15 yards of sand to carry, and the pin is tucked in close about 2-3 yards onto the green. I try to get ball first and float it in like a lob shot, with varying degree of success. Tips?

    Thanks,
    Roger
  28. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Roger K said:

    A challenge I find myself occasionally is being at the beginning of a bunker, with 10-15 yards of sand to carry, and the pin is tucked in close about 2-3 yards onto the green. I try to get ball first and float it in like a lob shot, with varying degree of success. Tips?

    Thanks,
    Roger

    Trying to catch the ball first in a bunker from that short of a distance is dangerous...and unnecessary! Just use a high lofted club (58-62 deg), open the face, and make a big swing...you might be surprised how high and soft the ball will come out!
  29. Roger K

    Roger K

    A challenge I find myself occasionally is being at the beginning of a bunker, with 10-15 yards of sand to carry, and the pin is tucked in close about 2-3 yards onto the green. I try to get ball first and float it in like a lob shot, with varying degree of success. Tips?

    Thanks,
    Roger
  30. Joe B

    Joe B
    Murfreesboro, TN

    Brandon, when I'm hitting very short ( 20 yd), soft pitches, I always seem to hit the ball high on the face, effectively killing my distance control. It doesn't feel like I'm trying to lift the ball and I don't have that problem on longer shots. Any thoughts?
  31. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Joe B said:

    Brandon, when I'm hitting very short ( 20 yd), soft pitches, I always seem to hit the ball high on the face, effectively killing my distance control. It doesn't feel like I'm trying to lift the ball and I don't have that problem on longer shots. Any thoughts?

    You're probably going "under" the ball and scooping a little...which an cause impact to be high on the face. Try to make sure you're delivering more forward shaft lean...even on a short shot.
  32. Jerry M

    Jerry M
    Dallas, TX

    Do you have a tip where the ball is sitting down in Bermuda rough and getting it on the green?
  33. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Jerry M said:

    Do you have a tip where the ball is sitting down in Bermuda rough and getting it on the green?

    Use much more loft than you would normally from the distance, your highest lofted wedge, and swing hard!!!
  34. Chris92009

    Chris92009
    Ohio

    Brandon, what is the best club to use when chipping 3 yards off the green to a pin 10 to 15 yards away? Thanks!
  35. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Chris92009 said:

    Brandon, what is the best club to use when chipping 3 yards off the green to a pin 10 to 15 yards away? Thanks!

    The one that allows you to land it just on the edge of the green and roll out the appropriate amount...which could be very different for me versus you. Try a few different options the next time you're out practicing to find the one that works best for you.
  36. Steve P

    Steve P
    Fairport, NY

    I tend to hit a lot of full wedges thin. Is there a swing thought that you would recommend to help prevent this?
  37. Brandon S

    Brandon S

    Steve P said:

    I tend to hit a lot of full wedges thin. Is there a swing thought that you would recommend to help prevent this?

    Sure...don't try to hit wedges full!! It's one of the hardest shots in golf and the club really isn't built for it! Try to go down to the next wedge and swing a little more "lazy"...
  38. Steve P

    Steve P
    Fairport, NY

    I tend to hit a lot of full wedges thin. Is there a swing thought that you would recommend to help prevent this?
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