Great wedge players don’t just know how far their wedges go. They know how to control how the ball gets there. They do this by changing trajectories, which gives them another way to manage distance, spin and how the ball reacts when it lands.

A big part of that control comes from understanding how much loft you deliver to the ball at impact. If you add loft, the ball tends to launch higher. If you can deliver less loft while maintaining a quality strike, you can produce a lower, more penetrating flight.

Here’s how you can reduce the loft on your wedge shots to hit a “flighted” wedge.

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How to control your wedge trajectory

One of my favorite ways to teach this is with a simple ramp placed behind the ball. The angle of the ramp provides a visual representation of what we’re trying to create through impact: a downward strike with forward shaft lean.

The goal isn’t to consciously chop down on the golf ball or make the swing excessively steep. Instead, the ramp helps the player see and feel how the club should approach impact. As the hands lead and the shaft leans forward, the player can deliver less dynamic loft while still producing the ball-first contact.

A lot of golfers try to hit a lower wedge by simply moving the ball farther back in their stance or forcing their hands forward at address. That can sometimes lower the flight, but it can also create an excessively steep strike and inconsistent contact. The better approach is to learn to control the loft through impact.

The ramp gives the player a clear visual for that relationship. The club is still moving downward when it reaches the ball, while the shaft is leaning forward. That combination helps reduce the amount of loft presented at impact and produces the lower, more controlled trajectory we’re looking for.

The ramp drill

Place the ramp behind the golf ball so its angle represents the downward strike you want to create. From there, hit short wedge shots while focusing on allowing the hands to lead the clubhead through impact. You should begin to feel the shaft leaning forward as the club continues downward into the ball.

Start with small swings focusing on learning what the proper impact condition feels like. Once you can reproduce that strike consistently, gradually lengthen the swing and begin experimenting with different trajectories. The more you understand how to control the loft you deliver, the less dependent you become on simply changing clubs or changing ball position.  That’s when wedge play becomes much more versatile.

Aryna Sabalenka may have lost the world number one spot but she is determined to keep her US Open title.

The 28-year-old from Belarus, who will be overtaken by Elena Rybakina at the top of the rankings on Monday, overpowered Jessica Pegula 7-5 6-2 to reach a fourth successive Flushing Meadows final.

The two-time defending champion took her winning streak in New York to 19 matches and is now one victory away from the ‘three-peat’.

American third seed Pegula, beaten by Sabalenka in the 2024 final, had served superbly during the first set, winning 18 out of 20 points behind her first serve.

That was until 5-6, when Sabalenka suddenly unleashed three blistering returns to bring up three set points, taking the second when Pegula’s forehand fell into the net.

More break points arrived in in the fourth game of the second set and a 91mph return put the top seed in total control.

A business-like victory was wrapped up in an hour and 20 minutes and celebrated with a simple clenched fist.

“No complaints, I’m super happy to be able to play such tennis,” she said. “I was so desperate to win, I wanted it badly.”

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course for a third consecutive US Open crown on Thursday, storming  into the final with a straight sets demolition of American third seed Jessica Pegula. Sabalenka – who beat Pegula en route to US Open wins in 2024 and 2025 – punched her ticket to Saturday’s final with a 7-5, 6-2 win on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. The 28-year-old Belarusian, bidding to join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women to win three straight US Open titles, swatted aside Pegula with a dominant service game and a fearsome array of powerful groundstrokes.

Sabalenka will face the winner of Thursday’s other semi-final between second seed Elena Rybakina or fourth seed Coco Gauff — who beat Sabalenka in the 2023 final.

On the evidence of her semi-final win, Sabalenka will head into the final bristling with confidence after producing her best performance of the tournament to snuff out Pegula’s dream of a first ever Grand Slam title.

“I’m super happy I was able to play such tennis,” said Sabalenka, who sent down seven aces and 29 winners. “I was so desperate to win. I wanted it so badly.”

Both players gave away little in the first set, serving superbly to keep the match on serve until the 12th game, with Sabalenka leading 6-5.

It was Pegula who would blink first, finding herself down 0-40 after a barrage of hefty groundstrokes from Sabalenka, who clinched the set when Pegula duffed a return into the net.

Sabalenka kept the momentum rolling in the second set, attacking Pegula’s suspect second serve and grabbing the crucial break for a 3-1 lead when she lasered a forehand into the corner.

The rest of the set went with serve until the eighth game, when Pegula hit a return long to give up match point. 

Sabalenka sealed victory with another ferocious forehand.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India Ends CWG Boxing Campaign With Record-Breaking Seven Gold Medals

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2nd from R) and Mohammed Shami (R) during the Duleep Trophy. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Mohammed Shami may be in the latter phase of his career, but the veteran pacer believes young Indian cricketers are arriving with a level of maturity that means they need less coaching and more timely guidance.Shami, who has not played for India since March 2025 and last featured in a Test during the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in 2023, spoke about mentoring youngsters after helping East Zone win the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone.Among those who caught his attention was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the teenage batter who was part of the East Zone squad.

‘The kid in our team is literally as old as my career’

“I thoroughly enjoyed it. The kid in our team (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi) is literally as old as my career. He has that youthful innocence, loves to joke around, and absorbs things quickly,” Shami said.The 36-year-old believes the exposure young players receive today, particularly through the IPL and other high-pressure competitions, has accelerated their development.“But most of these youngsters are already quite mature. With the level of cricket they play today—featuring in the IPL and other high-pressure tournaments—maturity comes early, so you don’t need to over-coach them,” he said.“But yes, when the game gets tight and challenging, that’s when you step in with tactical inputs and remind them to keep fighting,” he added.Shami’s own motivation, meanwhile, remains undiminished despite his prolonged absence from India colours.“There are plenty of reasons to stay motivated if you look for them. At this level, if you aren’t self-motivated, your approach is wrong. No matter what stage you’re playing at, your eyes must always be set on the next level,” he said.

Shami celebrates 100th first-class game with title

Shami took two important wickets, dismissing Ravichandran Smaran and Sheikh Rasheed, as East Zone secured the Duleep Trophy title on the basis of a first-innings lead. The triumph also coincided with his 100th first-class appearance.“As far as satisfaction goes, achieving this in my 100th match—and that too in a winning Duleep Trophy final—is special. East Zone has won this after a very long time. You’ve seen how we performed.“Every single boy put his heart and soul into this campaign to get us here. To achieve this in these conditions, in this heat, is outstanding. As for me, whether it’s your first match or your 100th, it doesn’t matter—the effort and the approach remain exactly the same,” he said.Shami also stressed that the level of cricket does not change his approach.“When you wear that crest on your chest, the level of cricket doesn’t matter. If you play for the badge, that hunger will naturally show. Your willingness to fight only grows when you play with that pride.“My mindset is simple: whichever level I get an opportunity to play, I want to make it count and fulfil my responsibility toward the team,” he said.

The New York Yankees have recalled Anthony Volpe to the major league roster to replace Jazz Chisholm Jr., who sprained his thumb while sliding into second base during Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.

On Thursday, popular content page “Talkin’ Yanks” posted to Instagram, announcing that Volpe, who is primarily a shortstop, will be playing second base in his return to the starting lineup.

“Anthony Volpe is in the starting lineup tonight, playing second base and batting ninth,” the post was captioned.

Fans seemed to have varying reactions to this. Many left comments voicing their dissatisfaction about Volpe’s inclusion in the starting lineup.

“WHERE IS OSWALDO!! We don’t want Volpe!!” a fan wrote.

“Ruined my day,” another fan commented.

“Can he bat 10th?” another fan replied.

Others, meanwhile, showed support for the infielder.

“He’s part of the organization. Stop hating on the guy. Should be rooting for him and his contributions,” a fan responded.

“Love Volpe 🙌,” another fan shared.

“Let’s go Volpe,” another fan posted.

Volpe is currently playing on a one-year, $3.475 million contract.

“I have a ton of respect for the person and the player” – Yankees manager talks about recalling Anthony Volpe to the major league roster

Speaking to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch on Wednesday, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered his opinion on recalling Anthony Volpe to the Bronx Bombers’ major league roster.

“I feel like he’s in a really good spot,” Boone said. “He’s been really productive down there and playing really well. He has taken well to the other positions. So we’ll see. I have a ton of respect for the person and the player.

“He’s been a complete pro and completely gotten after it down there in everything they’ve thrown at him. It’s one of the things we’ll talk about, but I mostly consider him at first [base] right now.”

For the 2026 season, Volpe is batting .240 with one home run and 19 RBIs. Yankees fans will hope to see those numbers improve in what remains of the campaign.