Opinion & Analysis

The Wedge Guy: This is the most important shot in golf

Published

8 months ago

Oct 10, 2025

I realize that is a pretty bold claim, but hear me out.

Over my seven decades in golf, and nearly 45 years in the golf equipment industry, I’ve always enjoyed playing golf with players of different skill levels. I’ve been blessed to have been a member at a half dozen private clubs in my life and always seem to fall into that group of passionate players of all skill levels. The insights I’ve gained from watching and listening to “average Joes”, whose handicaps range from near-scratch to 20+, have guided me through my golf industry life as I try to create products that will genuinely help them.

But the reality is that – as a golf club designer – there is a limit to what I can do. And, while I’ve always strived to create better wedges for the everyday golfer, the simple fact is that most mid- to high-handicap players simply do not exhibit the basic fundamentals that will help them get better.

I love helping golfers who truly do want to improve, and my input usually starts with helping them evolve to a more fundamentally sound grip and set-up. It takes absolutely NO athletic abilities to learn how to properly hold the golf club and to put your body in a posture and position that gives a good golf shot a chance to happen.

Once you have that down, I firmly believe you should learn what I believe to be the most important shot in golf – the 30-yard pitch shot that gets reasonable height and has enough spin to stop the ball within 10-15 feet most of the time. If you learn that shot – how to fundamentally execute it with reasonable consistency – what you learn will translate into your entire game, from full-swing irons to your driver.

I’ve written numerous articles about what I consider the basics of this shot. Just two weeks ago, I called out the “Top 7 Short Game Mistakes.” And there are many fine videos on YouTube that can help you develop a sound technique.

But I’ll put in a plug for your local teaching golf professional. Invest in a few lessons focused on wedge play, and it will pay big dividends throughout your game and take your handicap to an all-time best.

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Terry Koehler

Terry Koehler is a fourth generation Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University. Over his 40-year career in the golf industry, he has created over 100 putter designs and dozens of wedges. In 2014, he put together the team that reintroduced the Ben Hogan brand to the golf equipment industry with his TK 15 wedges and Ft. Worth 15 iron designs. Since receiving a U.S. Patent for his “Koehler Sole” in the early 1990s, he has been challenging “conventional wisdom” in the wedge category. In addition to inspiring multiple companies to emulate this sole technology, the performance of his wedge designs have stimulated all other companies to reposition some mass toward the top of the blade in their wedges. Terry is retired from his role as Chairman and Director of Innovation for Edison Golf, and remains active in the industry as an independent designer and consultant. But his most compelling work is in the wedge category. Since he first patented his “Koehler Sole” in the early 1990s, he has been challenging “conventional wisdom” reflected in ‘tour design’ wedges. The performance of his wedge designs have stimulated other companies to move slightly more mass toward the top of the blade in their wedges, but none approach the dramatic design of his Edison Forged wedges, which have been robotically proven to significantly raise the bar for wedge performance. Terry serves as Chairman and Director of Innovation for Edison Golf – check it out at www.EdisonWedges.com.

1 Comment

Rich Douglas

Oct 11, 2025 at 8:57 am

It is my toughest shot. Not quite close enough to chip, and no matter what club I chose it will be less than a half-swing.

My two approaches: if there is nothing in the way between me and my intended line, I’ll chip it, even if I have to land it short of the green. But if there is something blocking, like a bunker, then I’ll open up a lob wedge and hit a pitch.

But that second one is tough as we switch to winter rye and the lies are sketchier.

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Opinion & Analysis

AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience

Published

5 days ago

Jun 5, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.

I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.

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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.

With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.

Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!

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Published

7 days ago

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If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.

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Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie

Published

2 weeks ago

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Brian Knudson

On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.

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