Fred Griffin: Game Management Wedges

Fred Griffin is the director of the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf in Orlando, Florida. Fred was the director when the academy opened in 1986 and has been responsible for the development of all of the golf instructional programs. The academy at Grand Cypress Resort originally opened as the first Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf in 1986 and later changed the name to the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf. Fred worked with the management and leadership team of Jack Nicklaus Golf Services. The academy has been recognized by Golf Magazine as a Top 25 Golf School in America and a Top 100 Club fitting facility by Golf Digest.

Technique

Fred Griffin recommends the following technique for hitting a wedge shot:

  • Start with your feet together, with the ball in the middle of your two feet
  • Take a little step to the left, then a little step to the right, and then pull the left foot back a little bit
  • Make a swing at 70-80% of a full swing

Benefits

By practicing your wedge distances, you will be able to hit a shot closer to the hole and give yourself an opportunity for a birdie. Griffin suggests that if you are 285 yards out on a par five, you should hit a 200 yard shot to get down to your 85 yard, 56 degree wedge. This should leave you within 10-15 feet from the pin for a makeable birdie putt.

Fred Griffin: Game Management Wedges

Fred Griffin is the director of the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf in Orlando, Florida. Fred was the director when the academy opened in 1986 and has been responsible for the development of all of the golf instructional programs. The academy at Grand Cypress Resort originally opened as the first Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf in 1986 and later changed the name to the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf. Fred worked with the management and leadership team of Jack Nicklaus Golf Services. The academy has been recognized by Golf Magazine as a Top 25 Golf School in America and a Top 100 Club fitting facility by Golf Digest.

Technique

Fred Griffin recommends the following technique for hitting a wedge shot:

  • Start with your feet together, with the ball in the middle of your two feet
  • Take a little step to the left, then a little step to the right, and then pull the left foot back a little bit
  • Make a swing at 70-80% of a full swing

Benefits

By practicing your wedge distances, you will be able to hit a shot closer to the hole and give yourself an opportunity for a birdie. Griffin suggests that if you are 285 yards out on a par five, you should hit a 200 yard shot to get down to your 85 yard, 56 degree wedge. This should leave you within 10-15 feet from the pin for a makeable birdie putt.

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Conclusion

By practicing your wedge distances, you can give yourself the best opportunity for making a birdie on a par five. Fred Griffin’s technique will help you hit a shot closer to the hole and give you a makeable birdie putt.

MORE ABOUT FRED GRIFFIN

When it comes to improving your golf game, you deserve to have someone who listens to you and puts your needs first. To me, it’s simple: You come first. There is no close second. That’s what makes Fred Griffin Golf so different. The relentless dedication to each student’s golf game is my ultimate goal. And what’s just as important is I will be the one organizing and directing your total game improvement program!

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A regular on Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Your State list, Fred Griffin has served on the National PGA Presidents Council and National PGA Teaching Committee and spoken at four PGA Teaching and Coaching Summits. Fred would welcome you to visit him for instruction in Orlando, Florida at Bella Collina Golf Club (September-May) and in Cashiers, North Carolina (June-August) at High Hampton Resort.