Wedges can help you score if you know how to use them

Almost all iron sets come with a pitching wedge, so many players grow comfortable with the standard 52-degree (or less) pitching wedge before they ever pick up one of its more lofted counterparts. That's too bad, because gap, sand and lobe wedges add an important scoring dimension and might even be easier to hit.

With practice and a smooth swing, anyone can send shots high into the air and land them softly onto the putting surface. When a bunker or creek sits between your ball and the cup, the loft of these wedges allows you to focus more on the pin than the hazard and more on the benefits of a quality shot than the consequences of a poor one.

Most players know how far they can hit a ball with each club when taking a full swing from an ideal lie. But when a situation calls for a 40-yard pitch to a protected green, many players find themselves simply unprepared to set up for their shot with certainty.

At the driving range, rather than spending the whole time blasting away with full swings, get in touch with your wedges by taking different types of swings. This will allow you to see and feel how the ball comes off each club and how the height, trajectory and distance vary with each loft.

Pick out a target like the 50-yard marker and try to land shots as close to it as possible with all wedges. When it's time to face challenging pitches in the middle of a round -- perhaps a high lob that needs to land between a creek and steep ridge -- you will have the confidence to attack the hole with any of the wedges in your bag.

Players lacking confidence in their wedge play often chop down on the ball around the greens, mainly because they fear striking the ball too hard from such close proximity to the pin. They drive the head of their wedge straight down toward the ball and either stick it into the ground behind the ball (resulting in a chunked shot) or skull it clear across the green in any direction.

Visualize sweeping the clubhead directly underneath the ball while keeping your hands ahead of the clubhead at all times. This allows the loft of the club to pop the ball into the air, while you do your job by providing a smooth and firm stroke that "accelerates" through the ball. Your scores can't help but improve.

For more tips and information on the short game or any other facets of the golf swing, please see your local club professional.

Shane Sanchez is the PGA head golf professional at Rhodes Ranch Golf Club. He was named PGA Professional of the Year, Las Vegas Chapter of the PGA, in 1997 and Professional of the Year, Southern Nevada Golf Association, in 1998. Sanchez served on the Las Vegas Chapter board of directors from 1997-2002 and has served on the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame board of directors since 1997.