Golf Pitch Shots: Learn How To Dial Them In And Stick It Close To The Hole

Golf pitch shots are an important part of the short game. A pitch shot is a little longer than a chip. This shot requires a slightly narrower stance than with your full swing but it should be a little wider than a chip shot stance.

Setup Tip: Keep a little more weight on your front or left foot. You want to hit down slightly on golf pitch shots and allow the loft of the club to make it go up in the air. With your weight setup slightly forward, it'll be easier to keep the weight left through impact. This will allow you to hit down on the ball and drive through the shot.

Also, it's important to hold your wrists firm through impact as the club handle leads the club head coming through the ball. When the club head comes up to the ball before the hands, you may end up hitting a fat or thin shot. This usually happens because your wrists and hands get too active or you are stuck with your weight on your right foot.

The Swing For A Pitch Shot

Here is a general description of how to hit pitch shots. The swing length can vary depending on how far you want to ball to travel. Basically, you want to match the length of your backswing with the length of your follow through. Swinging too far back and not through far enough can cause problems such as deceleration.

Controlling Your Distance

There are two ways to control your distance on pitch shots. The first way is by varying the length of your swing. The ball will go farther or shorter depending on how far you swing back and through. The second way is by the speed of your torso turning through the shot. If you want to hit the ball farther with the same length swing, you can increase your tempo and the speed your torso or body turns through the shot. The key here is to keep everything connected and working together. This way you can move slower or faster through the shot and vary your distance. Combining these two approaches also works well and will help you get more comfortable with hitting your pitch shots the correct distance.

Varying Trajectory And Spin

Depending on the pitch shot you are facing, you can choose to hit a higher soft shot or a low pitch and run type shot. If you have a sand bunker in between you and the hole, it can be helpful to try and hit the ball higher and allow it to stop softer and more quickly. When trying to hit a higher pitch shot, you can play the ball more towards the middle to front of the stance. Adjust your weight so you are about 50/50 on each foot in your setup. Opening the clubface can help to get the ball going even higher for you. Then simply make your pitching motion with the club and make sure to stay in your posture and maintain your angles throughout the shot.

Getting more backspin on your golf pitch shots comes from hitting the ball with solid, crisp contact. It's nice to hit your shots so the ball lands on the green, takes a hop and then spins a little. When you can hit the ball with consistent contact, it'll be easier for you to control your shots and get a feel for how much the ball will spin.