Trevor Ng
Pitching is a golf shot that requires a lot of practice to master. It is considered one of the most difficult shots in golf. Pitch shots are used when the ball is five yards or more away from the green, and there is less than 20 feet of putting surface to work with. Pitch shots are also used when there is a need to carry the ball or get it to stop quickly near a difficult pin placement. The main difference between a chip shot and a pitch shot is that chip shots roll farther than they fly, while pitch shots fly farther than they roll.
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What You'll Learn
Pitching vs Chipping
Pitching and chipping are two different techniques in golf that can significantly improve your short game while adding versatility around the green. While these two golf shots are often used interchangeably, that is incorrect. Pitch and chip shots are different in the sense that the golf ball behaves differently after a chip than it would after a pitch.
Chipping
Chip shots are generally considered to be short shots that carry just to the green and roll out to the hole. The ball spends more time on the ground and has less wrist rotation than pitch shots. The clubhead loft is kept reduced to create lower trajectory shots in comparison to pitch shots. The ball position is towards the back of the stance to achieve a lower launch, reduced flight, and increased ball roll. Chipping is like putting, except a club with very little loft is used.
Pitching
Pitch shots are longer shots that fly most of the way to the hole. The ball spends most of the time in the air and has more wrist rotation than chip shots. Pitch shots fly higher and longer than chip shots, causing the ball to bounce and stop rapidly near the target. The ball position is in line with the center of the player's sternum to achieve varying degrees of launch and roll. Pitch shots are considered one of the most difficult shots in golf that requires a lot of practice to get right.
When to Use Each
Chipping is generally preferred whenever possible, and pitching is used only when necessary. A chip shot is easiest to manage since the stroke is more compact, like a putting stroke. Pitch shots are a higher risk and should be used when the player needs to get up and over an obstacle, such as a bunker guarding the green. Pitching out of heavy rough is also preferable due to the loft on the club, which is designed to launch the ball up and out of deep grass.
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When to pitch
Pitching is one of the most difficult shots in golf, requiring a lot of practice to master. It is a high-risk shot, reserved for when you have no other option.
So, when should you pitch?
Firstly, if you have a poor lie, choose a pitch shot. A poor lie means you do not have a clean look at the back of the ball, perhaps due to an obstacle like a bunker. A pitch shot will get the ball up and out, landing softly.
Secondly, if you need to carry the ball over an obstacle, or get it to stop quickly near a difficult pin placement, a pitch shot is the best option. This is because pitch shots fly more than they roll.
Thirdly, if you are more than 15 yards from the green, you will likely need to pitch. This is because chip shots tend to be for shorter distances, with the ball spending more time on the ground.
Finally, if the green is very fast and requires a lofted shot for additional ball control, a pitch shot is the right choice.
In summary, pitching is a difficult shot that should only be used when necessary. When you have a poor lie, need to carry the ball, are far from the green, or require a lofted shot, a pitch shot is the best option.
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How to pitch
Pitching is one of the most difficult shots in golf, requiring a lot of practice to master. It is a longer shot that flies most of the way to the hole, with the ball and the ground being contacted at about the same time.
To pitch, you should first remember the three C's: centre, centre, and centre. Position your weight in the centre, place the ball at the centre of your stance, and put your hands and the shaft in the middle. Keep your feet close together, with only about two clubheads' width between them, and position the ball more forward.
When swinging, try to keep the lower portion of your body quiet. Ensure that you hit down on the ball, and hit the sole of the club into the turf, not the leading edge. You can vary the distance of your pitch by changing the terrain, using a different club, or adjusting your technique. For example, if you need more rollout around the green, you can use a gap wedge, or a lob wedge or sand wedge if the obstacles are big.
It is important to practice with the right equipment to improve at a good pace.
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Pitching technique
Pitching is one of the most difficult shots in golf, and it requires a lot of practice to get right.
When you are setting up your pitch shot, you want to select a club with a high amount of loft and bounce. Bounce is the rounded bottom of your club, which prevents it from digging into the ground. Different bounces are good for different conditions: if you play on hardpan, you may need a wedge to help you dig, whereas if you play on softer surfaces, more bounce will help.
When you are hitting a pitch shot, more wrist hinge will make your swing steeper, increase the spin, and produce a higher launch. However, it's best not to use your wrists unless you need to, as they can be difficult to manage under pressure.
To get the right technique, you should feel balanced, with your weight centred, the ball at the centre of your stance, and your hands and the shaft in the middle. Keep your feet close together, with the ball position forward, and hit down on the ball. You should aim to make solid contact with the centre of the clubface, controlling the distance to a specific degree.
You should use pitch shots if there is a difficult sand trap between your ball and the hole, if the ball is five yards or more away from the green and you have less than 20 feet of putting surface to work with, or if the green is very fast and requires a lofted shot for additional ball control.
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Pitching equipment
Pitching in golf is a complex technique that requires a lot of practice to master. Pitch shots are longer shots that fly most of the way to the hole, and are generally considered to be one of the most difficult shots in golf.
When it comes to equipment, it is important to use the right tools to improve your pitching technique. Here are some key considerations:
- Clubs: A pitching wedge is a versatile club that can be used to hit shots with a higher and shorter trajectory than a 9-iron, and a lower and longer trajectory than a gap wedge. It is commonly used to produce high-altitude shots, such as approaches to the green or lifting the ball over obstacles. The loft of a pitching wedge typically ranges from 42 to 49 degrees, but can vary between different sets of clubs.
- Other Wedges: Depending on the terrain and obstacles, you may opt for a gap wedge, lob wedge, or sand wedge. These wedges can provide more rollout around the green or help navigate larger obstacles.
- Practice Equipment: Practising your pitching technique is crucial. Consider investing in training aids and practice equipment such as alignment sticks, impact bags, or chipping nets to help refine your skills.
- Gloves and Grips: Wearing high-quality golf gloves can enhance your grip and provide a better feel for the club. Additionally, ensuring that your clubs have well-maintained grips can improve your overall control and consistency.
- Training Aids: Utilise training aids such as swing trainers, putting mats, or impact sensors to help improve your swing technique, posture, and ball impact.
Remember, the right equipment can make a significant difference in your pitching performance. It is important to choose equipment that suits your skill level and helps you improve at a steady pace.
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Frequently asked questions
Pitching is a type of golf shot that is considered one of the most difficult in the game. It is a high shot where the ball flies farther than it rolls. Pitch shots are used when there is a need to carry the ball over an obstacle, such as a bunker.
You should use a pitch shot when there is a need to carry the ball over an obstacle, such as a bunker, or when there is less than 20 feet of putting surface to work with. Pitch shots are also useful when the green is very fast and requires a lofted shot for additional control.
Chip shots are low shots where the ball rolls farther than it flies. Pitch shots, on the other hand, are high shots where the ball flies farther than it rolls. Chip shots are often used when there is a clean look at the back of the ball and when there is no need to carry the ball over any obstacles.
