Play Your Best Game » Pitch Shots
Pitch Shots
Q: What is the correct set-up for a good Pitch shot
and when should I use it?
A: Pitching is done farther out from the green whereas a chip shot is used with a very short approach shot to the green. This shot is to get the ball up in the air and land on the green with little roll. It’s a good shot to go up and over bunkers to an elevated green.
Place the ball slightly forward in your stance. Your weight is slightly forward on the front left foot. Swing your arms and the club back to about waist high or to a half swing. Allow your wrist to hinge where the club points to the sky. Then turn and swing forward, turning your shoulders and body to the target as the club sweeps the grass and makes contact with the ball. It’s the turning of the shoulders and body that gives momentum to the shot. Don’t stop swinging or hit at the ball. It’s the club moving forward to the target that gives the shot distance. Finish the shot by facing the target and having the club point out to the target. The distance a shot goes is controlled by how far back you take the club. If you know how far your full pitching wedge goes, (say 50 yards), then your half swing should go 25 yards. So if you’re 40 yards from the green, you know you should hit a ¾ swing, which is a bigger back swing than a half swing but not a full swing.
When you get around the green you need to ask yourself, “Do I chip or pitch?” “Am I within 10 yards of the green?” If so, then you should chip. If you are farther from the green, then pitch. If you decide to pitch, determine how far away you are, how hard you need to hit the shot, and how far to make the back swing.
Knowing the difference between a pitch and chip shot will help to eliminate those unwanted strokes around the green.
By: Alicia Singer
Head PGA Professional
Oakwood Country Club
Sun Lakes
Alicia.Singer@Robson.com
