No. 1 skill in wedge play is controlling distance. Here's how to do it

When it comes to wedge shots, nothing beats being able to step up and confidently dial in the yardage you want. The first step to developing this skill is knowing your baseline distance with each wedge in your bag. On a full swing, my 46-degree goes 135 yards, my 53-degree 110 yards and my 58-degree 95 yards. I create all of my distance adjustments off of those numbers. To accurately get your baselines, set up a practice session using the type of ball you normally play and hit to a real green. Slapping range balls to the 100-yard sign won’t work.

How do you adjust distance for shots that don’t match one of your full-swing yardages? My favorite method is to vary how much you turn your shoulders on the backswing. Start with a full turn, call it 12:00 on an imaginary clockface, using a club across your shoulders to mark it. That’s your baseline. Then, develop at least one shorter shot, like a partial turn to 10:30 (below). That smaller turn will take off about 10 yards, depending on your baseline.

Regulating turn is a simpler way than trying to control the amount of wrist hinge or arm swing. Those methods are less reliable and harder to monitor. I like using shoulder turn because you can see your lead shoulder in your peripheral vision, so it’s easy to check. From there, you can swing through the same on every shot and produce different distances just by changing how much you turn. You simply set the turn going back and make your normal swing through.

I teach two other ways to adjust distance: gripping down and opening the clubface. Mix and match any of these methods to add more distance versatility with your wedges.

GRIPPING DOWN

Shortening the club by gripping down is an effective way to hit shorter shots. Moving your hands down two inches (above) should take off 10 yards. I like this adjustment because you do it at address, which is the simplest place to make a change. However, you do have to make up for the shorter shaft, by bending more at the waist or standing a touch closer to the ball.

OPENING THE FACE

Turning the clubface open at address (above) reduces distance by adding more loft to the club. However, it makes some players feel like they’re going to push the ball or shank it. In truth, you’re adding loft more than you’re setting up for a push. That said, you should align your body slightly to the pull side to compensate. A word of caution: Don’t just twist the face open after you grip the club. To do it correctly, open the face, then take your grip.

Distance control with the wedges is a skill any golfer can develop—and a fantastic stroke-saver.

Michael Breed, based in Greenwich, Conn., is Golf Digest's Chief Digital Instructor.