That 50-yard golf shot feels like it's stuck in no-man's-land, doesn't it? It’s too far to be a simple chip, yet too short for a committed, full swing. The hesitation it causes often leads to chunky, thinned, and frustrating results. Don't worry, this isn't some mystical shot only pros can hit. Mastering it is completely within your reach. This guide breaks down the simple setup and swing adjustments you need to turn this awkward distance into one of your most reliable shots.
The main reason golfers struggle from 50 yards is a lack of a dedicated system. For a 150-yard shot, you grab your 7-iron and make a full swing. For a greenside chip, you have a go-to chipping motion. But for 50 yards? It often results in a tentative, decelerated half-swing that kills any chance of solid contact.
Most bad shots from this distance come from trying to "help" the ball into the air or trying to take power off a full swing. Both approaches lead to inconsistency. The solution is not to dial down a big swing, but to build up a small, efficient one. Think of it as a longer, more structured chip, or a "mini-pitch." It requires its own unique, repeatable technique, and when you commit to that technique, your confidence will grow immediately.
You have a few options in the bag for this shot, and your choice can make a big difference in the trajectory and rollout. There's no single "correct" club, but understanding when to use each one is the first step toward getting dialed in.
My recommendation? Start by making one of these clubs your dedicated 50-yard club. The Gap Wedge is a great starting point. By using the same club every time you practice this shot, you’ll develop a much better feel for how much swing is needed. Once you’ve built confidence with one club, you can begin experimenting with the others to learn how to produce different trajectories.
A consistent setup is your secret weapon for this shot. Tweener shots fall apart when your setup fundamentals aren't sound. Follow these four simple steps, and you’ll be in an athletic, repeatable position every single time.
Forget the wide, powerful stance you use for your driver. For a 50-yard shot, bring your feet closer together, about hip-width apart. A narrower base promotes better rotation and prevents you from swaying off the ball. It keeps your swing compact and centered over the golf ball, which is exactly what you need for a control shot like this.
Place the golf ball directly in the middle of your stance. Seriously, look down and check that it's centered between your heels. A middle ball position is the simplest way to encourage a downward angle of attack, which means you strike the ball first and then the turf. If the ball creeps too far forward, you risk hitting it thin, too far back, and you risk a chunky, fat shot.
Before you swing, set about 60% of your weight on your front foot (your left foot for a right-handed player). This "preset" feel will help you stay forward through the shot and avoid falling back and flipping at the ball. As you set up, you can also aim your feet and hips just slightly open to the target line. This doesn't mean your clubface points left - that should still be aiming at your target. A slightly open stance simply helps your body rotate and clear out of the way on the downswing for a cleaner impact.
Grip down on the club about an inch or two from the top. This simple move effectively shortens the club, giving you a greater sense of control and making it more difficult to over-swing. Your hands should be just slightly ahead of the golf ball, creating a gentle, natural shaft lean. Don't press them too far forward, as this delofts the club and can cause you to dig into the ground.
Forget trying to generate massive power. This shot is all about rhythm and control. The primary mover is the rotation of your torso, not a frantic flailing of your arms.
The "clock face" is a great way to control the length of your swing. Imagine you are standing in the center of a giant clock. For a typical 50-yard shot, your backswing should only go back to about 9 o'clock (with your lead arm parallel to the ground). Some players think of it as a "waist-high" or "hip-high" backswing.
The important part is making this move by turning your chest and shoulders away from the target, allowing the arms and club to simply come along for the ride. There's very little conscious wrist hinge needed. Your wrists will hinge naturally as a result of the swinging motion and weight of the club head. If you focus on a smooth takeaway driven by your big muscles, your arms will stay connected to your body, setting the club on the right plane automatically.
Now for the most important part: you must accelerate through the ball. The thought of hitting it too far causes many golfers to slow down right before impact, which is the number one cause of poor contact.
Commit to the shot and feel your chest rotating through toward the target. Your arms should stay relaxed and extend down the target line before finishing in a mirror image of your backswing. If you took it back to 9 o'clock, you want to follow through to about 3 o'clock. Your momentum should pull you into a balanced, comfortable finish, with your chest facing your target and nearly all of your weight on your front foot.
Think about a smooth, even tempo: "tick-tock...tick-tock." It's not a short, snatchy backswing followed by a violent lunge at the ball. The rhythm should be consistent on the way back and on the way through. This pendulum-like motion is what creates consistency.
Reading about it is one thing, but building the feel is what will truly make a difference. Head to the practice range and try these simple drills.
That difficult 50-yard shot becomes much simpler when you build a repeatable system for it. Start by committing to one club, narrow your stance with your weight forward, and feel a smooth, body-driven "9-to-3" swing. Letting your chest and shoulders control the motion while your arms stay passive is what will deliver crisp contact and predictable distances.
Developing that trust takes practice, and even with a solid system, a little extra confidence on the course goes a long way. For those situations where you are facing a tricky lie, have a tough flag to get to from 50 yards out, or just need a second opinion on the smart play, I built Caddie AI. It can give you expert on-the-spot advice, even analyzing a photo of your lie, so you can stop second-guessing your decisions. With a clear plan, you can finally commit to every swing and step up to this shot knowing you have it under control.
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