Foot Wedge: Why Golfers Should Kick the Toxic Tactic

A foot wedge is a slang term in golf that describes the act of kicking a golf ball out of trouble or to advance it in any way that makes the next shot easier. Use of the foot wedge is reserved for players of questionable morals who are not on their A-game. In case you’re not familiar, let us take you to the rule book and the moral compass book to dissect the foot wedge.

The fact that you’re asking yourself this question should be the first red flag. In short, no, absolutely without a shadow of a doubt, no. You are not allowed to kick your golf ball. If you need further proof:

According to USGA Rule 10.1 a: Fairly Striking the Ball, "In Making a Stroke: You must fairly strike at the ball with the head of the club such that there is only momentary contact between the club and the ball and you must not push, scrape or scoop the ball."

The keywords are “head of the club,” and not “sole of your golf shoe.”

RELATED: 7 Golf Rules Every Player Should Memorize

Nobody benefits when you kick your ball from an undesirable lie to a decent one. Not only are you cheating yourself, but you’re also cheating your playing partners with whom you may or may not be playing in a match.

There are several risks associated with playing a foot wedge shot, including

• Ridicule from playing partners
• Loss of trust from playing partners
• Kicking your ball into a worse position, leading to second use of foot wedge
• Eventual, unavoidable payback from the Golf Gods

With all of that said, if you’re going to engage your foot wedge, much like a regular wedge, there are a few techniques to choose from:

• Abbreviated Kick: Short back, kick the ball, little to no follow through. Best used in dry conditions because it runs.
• Full Send: NFL kicker style, typically requires a few paces behind the ball. Best used if you need to clear any larger mounds or traps.
• The Topper: A light advancement using only the sole of your golf shoe to roll the ball out. Best used when you only need a little bit of help while staying inconspicuous.

If you’re serious about taking your foot wedge game to the next level, a quick eBay search can land you an actual Foot Wedge which attaches to your golf shoe for as little as $40

In all seriousness, don’t do this.