Equipment Needed
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pick a wedge (for example, a sand wedge). Select targets or mark distances in 10-yard increments (e.g., 30 yards, 40 yards, 50 yards, up to about 80 yards).
Start at the shortest distance. Try to hit a wedge shot that flies 30 yards (you may have to estimate if there are no markers – use known markers on the range or land near a specific point).
Next, move to 40 yards with the same club. Adjust your backswing length and swing tempo slightly to add distance. Then 50 yards, and so on. You are "climbing the ladder."
Once you reach the top distance (say 80 yards), come back down: hit 70, then 60, etc. The key is to make each increment as precise as possible.
This drill forces you to develop a keen sense of feel and to control your swing length. Track how consistently you hit each distance. Over time you'll improve at hitting your exact yardages, which is vital for scoring with wedges.
Professional Endorsement
Many tour players engage in distance ladder drills with wedges. For instance, Justin Thomas and other top players will hit wedges to random distances called out by their coach or caddie – a similar concept – to ensure they can dial in any yardage on command.