When it comes to the short game, it’s helpful to clearly define the shot you’re trying to hit. Golf terminology can be confusing — and often inconsistent — so having simple definitions makes decision-making much easier.
A pitch shot, as I define it, is a short-game shot where the ball travels farther in the air than it rolls. There are many ways to play this shot, and ideally you’ll discover which technique works best for you.
In general, pitch shots are played with the most lofted and highest-bounce clubs in your bag: the sand wedge, lob wedge (if you carry one) and gap wedge.
Below are five different ways to execute a pitch shot, depending on your comfort level and the lie.
For a basic pitch shot, set up in what I like to call a boring middle position. The clubface is square, the clubhead is centered between your heels, the handle is centered on your body and your weight starts evenly balanced.
All three of these wedges have a rounded sole, known as bounce. As long as you avoid excessive shaft lean or a closed face, the club will glide across the turf instead of digging, producing a higher, softer shot.
Be sure to allow the club to contact the ground, and as you swing through, let your weight naturally move toward your lead foot so the club continues to glide forward.
If you struggle with pitch shots, try using a more lofted club — such as a sand wedge or lob wedge — and simplify the motion. Maintain a relatively firm arm structure and keep your arms and club wide and away from your body.
This promotes a shallower angle of attack, and with fewer moving parts, it’s often easier to execute consistently, especially under pressure.
You can play a pitch shot with the ball slightly back in your stance, which is especially helpful from tight lies. However, moving the ball back reduces loft and bounce, so it’s important to open the clubface.
To do this, rotate the clubface open first by twisting the grip away from the target, then place your hands on the club. This adds both loft and bounce, offsetting what you lose by playing the ball farther back.
Another option is to favor your weight toward the lead foot — either gradually during the swing or preset at address. This helps ensure ball-first contact.
To prevent the club from digging or closing down, slightly open the face. This adds bounce and provides insurance so the club can still glide when it contacts the ground.
Pitch shots often require a larger swing because the ball needs enough energy to launch high into the air. That can be uncomfortable, especially on shorter shots.
A useful alternative is to use a gap wedge and make a smaller swing. While you may give up a bit of height, the reduced swing length lowers risk — because the smaller the swing, the smaller the potential error.
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