A golf pitch is your go-to shot from that in-between distance, typically 30 to 60 yards from the green. It’s fundamentally different from a chip, a pitch is a higher, softer shot designed to fly over trouble and stop quickly, while a chip is a lower shot that gets on the green and rolls out like a putt. This article will guide you through exactly what a pitch is, how to choose the right club, the proper setup and swing technique, and practical drills to turn this critical scoring shot into a strength of your game.
One of the most common points of confusion for golfers is the difference between a pitch and a chip. Thinking about it in terms of "air time" versus "roll time" clears it up instantly.
Think of it like this: a pitch is like a softball player executing a soft rainbow toss to someone nearby. A chip is like bowling the ball underhand along the ground. The first relies on loft and a soft landing, the second relies on a predictable ground roll.
Here’s a simple checklist to help you remember when to pitch and when to chip:
Because a pitch is a shortened version of your full swing, it requires a blend of technique and feel. Let's break down the essential components to building a reliable, repeatable pitch shot.
Club selection is half the battle. Your wedge choice dictates both the height and distance of the shot. Here’s what each one is generally used for:
A consistent setup is mandatory for a consistent pitch. Go through this mental checklist every time.
Forget trying to just use your arms and hands. A good pitch incorporates your body as the engine, just like a full swing.
The length of your backswing is the primary controller of distance. Use the "clock system" as a visual guide. If your body is the center of the clock, your lead arm is the hand.
The key here is that the body turns along with the arms. As you take the club back, feel your chest and shoulders rotate away from the target. As the club swings back, allow your wrists to hinge naturally. Don't force it, just let the weight of the clubhead create the angle.
This is where most amateur golfers go wrong. The secret is to rotate your body through the shot and accelerate the clubhead through the ball. Never try to "help" the ball up or slow down into impact. Trust the loft on your wedge, it is designed to get the ball airborne. As you start down, your chest and hips should rotate toward the target. Your weight remains on that front foot, allowing you to strike the ball first, then the grass.
A good follow-through is a sign of a good shot. Just as in the backswing, your follow-through length should mirror your backswing length. If you went back to 9 o'clock, finish with your hands at 3 o'clock. Your chest should be facing the target at the finish, with the club held in a balanced, relaxed position.
Practice with purpose. These drills will help you translate mechanics into feel and score-dropping performance.
This is the best drill for mastering distance control. Place towels or headcovers at 30, 40, 50, and 60 yards on the practice range. Your goal is to hit three balls that land on or very near each target. Start with the 30-yard towel, then move to 40, and so on. This forces you to learn how a slightly longer backswing translates to more yards.
To cure the tendency to fall back or scoop the ball, try this. Set up normally but then pull your trail foot (right foot for a righty) back so only your toe is on the ground for balance. Almost all of your weight will now be on your lead foot. Try to hit short pitch shots like this. It's impossible to scoop the ball, it forces you to rotate around your front leg and stay centered, drilling the feeling of proper impact.
If you struggle with an "all arms" swing that gets disconnected from your body, this drill is for you. Tuck a small towel under your lead armpit (left arm for a righty). Hit pitch shots with the goal of keeping the towel in place until after impact. This synchronizes your arm swing with your body rotation, creating a more a much more connected, and powerful, motion.
The pitch shot is your ticket to saving pars from those awkward yardages. By understanding the fundamentals - a solid setup with your weight forward, using your body to power the swing, and accelerating through impact - you transform a source of uncertainty into a scoring weapon. Practice the drills to build feel and trust in your swing, and you'll start getting up and down far more often.
Mastering these shots takes practice, but sometimes you just need a straightforward answer on the course. For those tricky lies where you're caught between a pitch or a chip, getting a reliable second opinion is a game-changer. That's why Caddie AI is designed to help you make smarter decisions. You can describe your shot or even snap a photo of your lie, and get an instant recommendation for the right club and strategy, removing the guesswork so you can swing with total confidence.
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