Miles Bennett
Pitching in golf can be tricky, but with the right tools and techniques, golfers can improve their game. Pitching is different from chipping, and it's important to know when to pitch and when to chip. Golfers should assess the situation and select the appropriate club, considering factors such as distance, obstacles, and desired trajectory. The setup is crucial, ensuring the clubface is open, the shaft is centred, and the body is positioned correctly to allow for the proper swing. Controlling the backswing and follow-through is essential for maintaining a good rhythm and making solid contact with the ball. Additionally, understanding wrist action and using the bounce effectively can enhance the height and spin of the pitch shot. Practicing with different wedges and distances can help golfers develop a sense of touch and improve their pitching skills.
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What You'll Learn
Pitching vs. chipping: when to use which
Pitching and chipping are two different techniques in golf that can help you get the ball closer to the hole. While pitching and chipping are similar in some ways, there are key differences between the two that you should understand to correctly execute them.
The most significant difference between chipping and pitching is the ball flight. A pitch shot typically flies higher and longer than a chip, causing the ball to bounce and stop rapidly near your target. Pitch shots are generally riskier than chip shots and should be used when the player needs to get up and over an obstacle, such as a bunker guarding the green. Pitching is also useful when hitting out of heavy rough because the loft on the club is designed to launch the ball up and out of deep grass. When pitching, you want to get the ball up in the air, so ensure your body is set up to make the proper swing for this type of shot. The loft of the club will do much of the work for you, but you can help by setting up your body correctly. To hit a pitch shot, you should keep your grip neutral and your stance slightly open to keep the ball flight a little higher and the contact clean. Put a little extra weight on the front foot to encourage a downward strike. Keep the backswing shorter and controlled, but always accelerate through the impact.
On the other hand, a chip shot generates minimal launch and hits the turf after a short distance in the air before rolling to the cup. A chip shot, just like putting, will be easiest to manage since the stroke is more compact, like your putting stroke. Chipping gets the job done more often than not. To hit a chip shot, you want the ball a little further back in your stance, with more weight forward, and a short and compact swing. Expect the ball to fly about a third of the way and roll two-thirds of the way.
It's important to note that there is a lot of grey area between pitching and chipping, and different golfers may have different definitions for each. However, understanding the basic techniques and when to use them can help you improve your short game and take it to the next level.
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Choosing the right club
When it comes to pitching in golf, choosing the right club is essential for success. Here are some detailed tips to help you make the right selection:
Firstly, assess the situation. Consider the distance to the target, the presence of any obstacles, and the desired trajectory of the ball. These factors will guide your club choice. For example, if you have a lot of green to work with and no obstacles, a pitching wedge is a good option. If there are obstacles like a sprinkler head or rough grass, switch to a gap wedge to carry the ball over them while still achieving some rollout. As the obstacles get bigger or the target gets closer, a sand or lob wedge may be more suitable.
Secondly, understand the characteristics of different clubs and how they affect ball flight. Each wedge has a specific loft angle that impacts the height and distance of the shot. A higher-lofted wedge will help you hit the ball higher, but remember that more loft is not always necessary. You can also adjust your technique to influence ball flight, such as by altering your release pattern during the downswing or using your wrists to increase spin.
Thirdly, develop a consistent setup and swing technique. Use the same club for practice to gain a sense of touch and confidence. Focus on mastering one basic swing that you can use with different clubs, adjusting factors like ball position, shaft lean, and the openness of the clubface to achieve the desired shot. This approach will simplify your decision-making and improve consistency.
Additionally, consider your comfort and familiarity with different clubs. While there are general guidelines for club selection, each golfer is unique. Experiment with different clubs and find the ones that suit your swing and feel comfortable in your hands. Practice with a variety of clubs to expand your toolbox and give yourself more options on the course.
Finally, control your carry distance by adjusting your swing. Hitting the ball further often requires a longer backswing, but be careful not to decelerate. A shorter backswing can lead to excessive acceleration, so strive for a smooth and consistent tempo. Work backward from a full swing to figure out your unique swing for different distances, and always accelerate through the impact to achieve solid contact.
By following these guidelines and developing a feel for your clubs, you'll be able to choose the right one instinctively and improve your pitching game.
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Mastering the setup
The loft of the club will do much of the work, but you can help by setting up correctly. You should feel balanced, and while you will be slightly closer to the golf ball, you should still aim to hit the centre of the clubface. To do this, set up with the markings on your grip centred and perpendicular to the ground. The shaft should also be centred in the middle of your feet. If the club shaft is leaning too far forward, the club may dig into the ground, so avoid this common mistake.
To get the ball up, you need to hit down. This may seem counterintuitive, but if you try to lift the ball, it will go too far and low. Hitting down on the ball starts with your practice swing, and you should aim to hear a solid thump as the clubhead hits the ground.
You can control the distance by controlling the length of your backswing. You should accelerate through the impact on your downswing and make solid contact. Your backswing and follow-through should be relatively equal to keep a good rhythm. If your backswing is too long, it is easy to decelerate, and if it is too short, it will lead to excessive acceleration, so keep this in mind.
When setting up, you should aim to keep everything in an open position. This means the clubface should be pointing a little to the right of the target, but the alignment of your feet, hips and shoulders should be left of the target. Opening your body in this way helps you swing the clubhead through impact with its intended loft. If you started square, you would likely deloft the club and dig the leading edge into the turf.
The setup should be about two to three club widths apart, with the ball position adjusted based on the desired trajectory. You rarely hit a pitch shot that is more than 40 yards, so don't feel you have to make a big turn off the ball. It should feel like you are swinging back mostly with your arms, so think of it as a soft and smooth motion.
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Wrist action and its importance
Wrist action is one of the most important factors in controlling the clubface and hitting consistent shots in golf. The wrists move in three ways: extension/flexion, radial deviation/ulnar deviation, and pronation/supination. Flexion and extension in the wrists are critical for controlling the clubface and hitting straighter shots.
The wrist position changes throughout the swing, so it must be correct at setup and at the top of the backswing to have the best chance for a square and solid impact. The grip is one of the most important things to focus on at setup. If the hands are not on the club properly from the start, the chance of getting your wrists into the right position throughout the swing is significantly reduced. Grip the club in the fingers of your hand. If the club is too much in the palms, wrist action is challenging to feel and keeps you from getting the wrist angles that could generate the most power.
During the backswing, professional golfers maintain wrist extension. The amount of extension at the start is not as important as maintaining it throughout the backswing. From the top of the swing and towards the ball, professional golfers move from extension to the point of flexion in their wrists to close the clubface. The impact position will change slightly depending on what club you have in your hand, but it is important to produce a square clubface consistently to achieve better shots and lower scores.
On pitch shots, the No. 1 skill is controlling distance. A common reason for poor contact in pitching is too much wrist hinge during the backswing. A big hinge leads to a steep downswing and often hitting behind the ball. Even when steep swingers hit it solid, they take deep divots. To avoid this, some golfers keep their wrists firm going back and turn their body in sync with their arms. With pitching, you will see more extension in the lead wrist, a higher ball flight, and a softer landing.
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Practising for perfection
Golf pitching is a tricky skill to master, but with the right tools and techniques, you can improve your game. Here are some tips to help you practise and perfect your pitching:
Understand the Basics
First, let's cover some fundamentals. Pitching is different from chipping, so avoid adopting a chipping stance. The setup for pitching should be about two to three club widths apart, with the ball position adjusted based on the desired trajectory. When hitting a pitch shot, you want to get the ball up in the air, so ensure your body is set up to make the proper swing. Keep your grip neutral and your stance slightly open to achieve a higher ball flight and cleaner contact.
Club Selection
The right club selection is crucial. Use your pitching wedge when you have ample green space with no obstacles. If there are minor obstacles, like a sprinkler head, switch to a gap wedge. As obstacles increase or the hole gets closer, opt for a sand or lob wedge. Ask yourself: "How far do I need to fly the ball to land it on the green?" and "How softly does it need to land to stop near the hole?" These questions will guide you towards the appropriate club.
Wrist Action and Swing Mechanics
Awareness of wrist action is essential in pitching. While you may not need as much flexion in your lead wrist as in a full swing, avoid flipping your wrists near the impact position. Additionally, control the length of your backswing to manage your distance. Accelerate through the impact on your downswing, maintaining a consistent tempo and rhythm. Avoid decelerating or excessive acceleration, as both can lead to poor contact.
Drills and Practice
Instructor Maria Palozola suggests working backward from a full swing shot with each of your wedges to determine your unique swing for different distances. With each wedge, hit a set number of balls with a full swing and calculate your average carry distance. This will help you understand your wedges' capabilities and adjust your setup accordingly.
Additionally, world-renowned coach Pete Cowan offers a drill to improve your pitching accuracy. Scratch lines on both sides of the ball and swing back and forth with one hand, allowing the natural force of the club to drop. This will help you land the club in the correct spot and control the depth of the low point.
Distance Control
Controlling your carry distance is critical to becoming a great pitcher. While you may be tempted to focus on loft, remember that more loft is not always the answer. Instead, focus on mastering various clubs and understanding their impact on ball flight. Practice with different clubs at different distances to develop a sense of touch and gain confidence.
By incorporating these tips and drills into your practice routine, you'll be well on your way to perfecting your golf pitching skills. Remember, consistent practice and a willingness to experiment with different techniques will lead to improvement over time.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many different pitching techniques, and what works for one golfer may not work for another. However, some general tips include:
- Keeping your grip neutral and your stance slightly open
- Putting a little extra weight on the front foot
- Keeping your backswing shorter and controlled, but always accelerating through the impact
- Using your pitching wedge when you've got a lot of green to work with and no obstacles in front of you
- Using your hands and wrists to hit the ball higher
Controlling the length of your backswing will help you control your distance. You can also work backward from a full swing shot with each of your wedges to figure out your unique swing for different distances.
Getting the ball on the ground as quickly as possible is always the safest shot. When you can't putt, chip, and when you can't chip, pitch.
You should set up with everything in an open position. That means the clubface should be pointing a little right of the target, but the alignment of your feet, hips, and shoulders should be left of the target.
To avoid flipping your wrists, keep your wrists passive and rotate your body toward the target to complete the shot.
