The Smart Way to Play Partial Wedges (Clock System Explained)

Why Partial Wedges Separate Good Players from Great Players

If there’s one skill that defines how consistently you score inside 100 yards, it’s controlling your partial wedges. Anyone can swing full speed, but the best players know how to hit half and three-quarter shots with precision. These shots fill the gaps between full-swing yardages — where most amateurs waste strokes.

How many times have you had 65 yards left and thought, “Too much for a lob wedge, not enough for a sand wedge”? Without a system, those in-between shots turn into guesswork. The solution isn’t to muscle or decelerate — it’s to build a repeatable structure that gives you confidence on every distance.

That’s exactly what the clock system does. It gives you measurable feels, predictable yardages, and consistency under pressure.

What the Wedge Clock System Is

The clock system, popularized by Dave Pelz and used by countless tour players, uses the image of a clock face to describe the length of your backswing. Think of your lead arm as the clock hand:

• 9 o’clock: Lead arm parallel to the ground — roughly a half swing.
• 10:30: Slightly higher — a three-quarter swing.
• 7:30–8: A short, controlled pitch.

Each position produces a distinct distance depending on the wedge and your tempo. The magic happens when you pair each clock position with specific wedges and record the results. For example:

• 60° wedge → 9 o’clock = 50 yards
• 56° wedge → 9 o’clock = 60 yards
• 52° wedge → 9 o’clock = 70 yards

Now, when you’re in between distances, you can choose the wedge and backswing length combination that lands the ball exactly where you want — no guessing, no deceleration, just smooth confidence.

How to Build Your Own Wedge Matrix

The real power of the clock system comes when you customize it to your own wedges and swing tempo. Every player swings with a slightly different rhythm, so your yardages will never exactly match someone else’s. Creating a personal wedge matrix gives you precise data you can rely on.

Here’s how to build it step-by-step:

1. Head to the range with your wedges and a notebook. Bring your 60°, 56°, 52°, and 48° (or whatever you carry).
2. Use a launch monitor or range targets. You don’t need TrackMan; a laser rangefinder and range flags work fine.
3. Start with your 9 o’clock swing. Take 5–10 swings focusing on rhythm and solid contact. Record the average carry distance.
4. Move up to 10:30, then down to 8:00. Again, hit several shots for each position and record carry yardage, not total distance.
5. Repeat for each wedge. You’ll end up with 3–4 distances per club.

Now you’ll have a clear chart like this:

Wedge	8:00 Swing	9:00 Swing	10:30 Swing
60° LW	40 yds	50 yds	60 yds
56° SW	50 yds	60 yds	75 yds
52° GW	60 yds	70 yds	85 yds
48° PW	70 yds	80 yds	95 yds

Stick this chart in your yardage book or phone. During rounds, when you face a 63-yard shot, you’ll know instantly: 56° wedge, 9 o’clock swing. No overthinking, no last-second adjustments — just execution.

Drills to Master Distance Control

Distance control with partial wedges isn’t about hitting harder; it’s about tempo and consistent length of motion. These drills help you fine-tune both.

1. The One-Arm Tempo Drill
Grip your wedge with just your lead arm and make smooth half-swings to a 30–40-yard target. This teaches rhythm, wrist control, and prevents quick transitions that throw off distance.

2. The Clock Ladder Drill
Set up four targets at increasing distances: 40, 60, 80, and 100 yards. Work up and down the ladder using different clock positions for each. Focus on consistent tempo — your speed should sound and feel the same regardless of distance.

3. The Three-Ball Feel Drill
Place three balls side-by-side. Hit the first at 8:00, second at 9:00, and third at 10:30 with the same wedge. Watch how trajectory, spin, and rollout change. This develops touch and confidence when adjusting flight.

Remember, it’s not about perfect mechanics — it’s about building predictable feels. Once your body associates each swing length with a certain distance, you’ll start controlling your wedges like a pro.

How to Use the Clock System on the Course

Once you’ve built your wedge matrix, the next step is transferring it to real rounds — where lies, pressure, and wind challenge your precision. The key is learning to trust your yardages while adjusting for conditions.

Start by identifying your stock wedge distances before the round begins. Then, when you face a 70-yard shot, you instantly know your base swing — say, 52° wedge at 9 o’clock. From there, make small adjustments:

• Into the wind: Take one more clock length and swing smooth.
• Downwind: Take one less clock length or use more loft.
• Uphill: Add 5–10 yards to your carry.
• Downhill: Subtract 5–10 yards from your carry.

Another pro tip: when you’re between yardages (like 67 yards), don’t swing harder. Instead, take the longer clock length with a smoother tempo. Longer and smoother always beats short and fast for wedge control.

Finally, practice these adjustments during casual rounds. Pick specific yardages and test your system. You’ll quickly learn that your “9 o’clock swing” can handle nearly any distance from 40 to 100 yards just by switching clubs and staying calm.

When the system becomes automatic, your confidence inside 100 yards skyrockets — and your scores drop with it.

Final Thoughts: Precision Through Structure

Golf rewards players who can turn feel into something measurable. The clock system does exactly that — it takes the guessing out of wedge play and replaces it with structure.

Once you commit to this approach, your short-game confidence changes completely. You’ll walk up to every wedge shot knowing the exact swing and club combination to hit your number. No more decelerating, guessing, or hoping — just smooth, predictable contact.

The goal isn’t to be perfect; it’s to be predictable. When you build a wedge system you trust, your short game becomes your weapon — and every approach inside 100 yards becomes a green-light opportunity.

Golf Practice Plan – What to Do & Not To Do

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Get access to our Practice Plans built for all 3 skill levels (Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced Golfers).

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Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor