How Tour Pros Actually Practice Wedge Play (And Why You Should Rethink Yours)
In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Nico Darras from Golf Blueprint to go deep on distance wedges and understanding the impact of wind + shot shape.
Itβs a nerdy, fun, and super practical convo thatβll challenge the way you approach a few concepts. β Let me know what you think and send in questions for the next time we have Nico on the show!
β JJ talked about losing his PGA Tour card. Getting it back. Losing it again. Almost walking away. Going back to the Korn Ferry playoffs. Fighting for starts. Getting diagnosed with diabetes. Getting misdiagnosed first, then figuring it out.
Then he quoted Confucius. βOur greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.β
He actually forgot the quote halfway through, asked the room if anyone could help him remember it which was pretty great. β
βIβve had to shift my perspective. If my fate is to be on this tour, if my fate is to be a U.S. Open champion, itβll happen. All I can do is try my best and give myself the best chance to play well.
Taking pressure off myself is the biggest part of that.β β β
I dug through all the articles and tried to summarize some of the coaching and gear insights for him.
Driving Performance:
2024: 111th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee (-0.144 average, ranking 121st through September)
2025: 47th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee (+0.232 average, ranking 51st through US Open) β
Head: Switched to Titleist GT3 driver
Shaft: Changed from Fujikura Ventus Blue 7X to Ventus Black VeloCore+ 6X in early 2025
β Putting Performance:
2024: 108th in Strokes Gained: Putting (-0.020 average, ranking 96th through September)
2025: 40th in Strokes Gained: Putting (+0.067 average, ranking 84th through US Open)
At the beginning of the year he switched to the LAB DF3. They released a video showing the entire build process. One unique aspect is his black Scotty Cameron grip instead of the normal LAB grips.
Approach Play:
2024: 13th in Strokes Gained: Approach (+0.503 average)
2025: 7th in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green
β Great full breakdown and story of all JJ's gear in this article on PGA Tour.
β
Insights from JJ's Coach.
His coach Adam Schriber went on an Instagram live with Chris Como and they dove deep on everything they've been working on.
Really interesting conversation and appreciate them doing it! I took some quick notes below!
Initial Fixes
Cleaned up setup and posture
Focused on ball position and balance
Started building toward a consistent push cut shape
Biomechanics Work
Brought in Mike Duffey and Chris Welch to assess how Spaun moves
Found that he generates power through his feet and lower body
Used Rotex discs and sliding pads to train ground force and rotation. Seeing these Rotex discs everywhere! Anyone tried them?
β
Swing DNA and Matchups
Push cut is his go-to shot
Right arm stays in front of the body
Trail foot loads and rotates, lead foot receives and posts
Tried to avoid shallowing too much and kept the club in front
Feel Over Mechanics
Skateboarding analogy helped him understand foot pressure and timing
Focused on recreating those feels in practice and on course
β New short game coach: Josh Gregory
Added just days before the US Open, Gregory worked with him on shortening Spaun's chipping to avoid deceleration and gave him putting drills that proved crucial on Oakmont's lightning-fast greens.
β
β π Well Played: This Weekβs Top Finds: β
π Been using the Stewart Q Follow the last few weeks. Honestly... it's awesome. Nothing like walking down the fairway hands free and having your bag follow behind.
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Hi, Iβm Cordie Walker! I spend time with the most interesting players, coaches, and researchers in golf, uncovering what the best are doing to succeed.
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