The Golf Pitch Shot

A pitch or "pitch shot" is a shot played with a highly lofted club (pitching wedge, sand wedge, lob wedge) that is designed to go a short distance with a high flight path. Pitch shots are usually played into the green, typically from 40-50 yards and closer. It’s easy to picture a pitch shot when it is contrasted with the chip or chip shot. A chip shot is played from much closer to the green and the ball is in the air only a short (1/3) amount of time; the point is to get the ball onto the surface of the green and let it roll (2/3) toward the cup. Most of a chip shot is roll. A pitch shot, on the other hand, is in the air for most (2/3) of its distance, with much less roll (1/3) once it hits the ground.

If your shot method is not correct it becomes very difficult to generate enough air time. If you are someone who is sick of topping, grounding and sculling when you pitch, you will really benefit from this information.

Some of the typical issues amateurs have with pitching include:

1. Topping the ball – A shot in which the golfer very nearly swings over the ball, with impact between club and ball occurring near the crown of the golf ball.

2. Grounding – A shot in which the clubhead hits the ground to far behind the ball.

3. Sculling - To "skull" the ball, or to hit a "skulled shot," means to contact the ball with the leading edge of the iron. On a skulled shot, the leading edge hits the ball near the ball’s middle, sending the ball screaming off on a low trajectory with little or no spin.

The primary thing to remember is
A Low Follow-Through = Maximum Airtime

Most amateurs say that they are trying to follow-through high after impact so that their pitch shots will go up in the air. However, topping, grounding and sculling are often the result of a high follow through after impact (forcing hitting the ball during the up swing).

Setting up to the golf ball just like you were going to chip will get you half way there.

1. Position the golf ball in the middle of your stance. Keeping the ball in the middle of your stance will provide more consistent impact. Placing the ball too far forward in your stance will have you topping the ball, hitting the ball thin or pulling it to the left. Conversely, having the ball too far back will cause you to top the ball, shank it and push it to the right.

2. For right handed golfers, 75% of your weight should be on your left foot. This makes sure that you are hitting down on the ball as opposed to hitting up. It is important to make sure that you keep your weight on your front foot during the back swing.

3. Grip down on the club to the end of the grip and point the grip end of the club to the middle of your left leg. When you grip down to the end of the grip you will make certain to have more control during impact. To eliminating topping and thin shots, try moving the grip part of the club further across your left leg which provides the necessary downward angle.

The back swing for the pitch shot is generally longer than your chip shots. To avoid transferring your weight, keep your weight on your left leg. As the golf club starts to swing down towards the ground, be sure you follow thru low to the ground after impact. You want to feel as though you chopped the back of the ball with the club head.

J. Cavell is an amateur golfer from New Jersey who loves the game of golf. Like others, he wants to improve his golf game to make it a more pleasurable experience. He is a valued contributor to www.Authority4Golf.com