What Is Pitching in Golf?

That awkward distance from the green, around 20 to 50 yards out, is a make-or-break zone for most golfers. It's too far to calmly chip but too close for a full swing. Mastering this in-between shot, known as pitching, is one of the fastest ways to lower your scores. This guide will walk you through exactly what a pitch shot is, when to use it, and provide a clear, step-by-step technique to help you hit crisp, controlled pitch shots that cozy up next to the pin.

What Exactly Is a Pitch Shot in Golf?

A pitch shot is a shot that flies higher and travels a shorter distance on the ground compared to a chip shot. Think of it as a mini-version of your full swing, designed for precision from short range. While a chip shot is all about getting the ball on the green and letting it roll like a putt, a pitch shot is about carrying the ball over an obstacle - like a bunker, rough, or water - and having it land softly on the putting surface with minimal roll.

The main difference comes down to air time versus roll time.

• Chip Shot: Maximum roll, minimum airtime. Uses a shorter, more compact motion.
• Pitch Shot: Maximum airtime, minimum roll. Uses a longer swing motion with more body rotation and wrist hinge.

Understanding this conceptual difference is the first step. You're not trying to scoop the ball into the air, you're using a specific technique and the loft of your club to create a high, soft-landing trajectory.

When Do You Hit a Pitch Shot?

You’ll turn to a pitch shot in a variety of situations, but they generally share a common theme: you need to carry the ball over something and stop it relatively quickly. Here are the classic scenarios:

• You're 20-50 yards from the green: This is the classic pitching "no-man's-land.”
• You need to go over a greenside bunker: A low-running chip shot isn't an option. You must fly the ball over the hazard and land it on the green.
• The pin is "tucked": When the hole is located just over a bunker or close to the edge of the green, you need a high shot that lands softly and doesn't roll out too far.
• Dealing with rough around the green: When the ball is sitting down in thicker grass, a pitch shot swing offers the power needed to get the club through the rough and get the ball airborne.

Choosing the Right Club for Pitching

Your wedges are your primary tools for pitching. The club you choose depends on how high you need the ball to fly and how much you want it to roll upon landing. Wedges have the most loft in your bag, which is what helps launch the ball high into the air.

Your Wedge Arsenal:

• Pitching Wedge (PW): Typically has 44-48 degrees of loft. This is your lowest-flying wedge. It will produce a lower trajectory with more rollout. It's great for longer pitch shots where you have plenty of green to work with.
• Gap or Approach Wedge (AW/GW): Usually 50-54 degrees of loft. It bridges the "gap" in loft between the PW and SW. It offers a mid-height trajectory and moderate roll - a very versatile option.
• Sand Wedge (SW): With 54-58 degrees of loft, the sand wedge is many players' favorite pitching club. It produces a higher shot that stops more quickly, making it ideal for carrying bunkers or when you don't have much green between you and the hole.
• Lob Wedge (LW): Typically 58-62 degrees of loft. This is your highest-flying, quickest-stopping option. It’s perfect for “flop shots” or when you have to get the ball up and down in a hurry over an obstacle from very short range.

A good rule of thumb: the less green you have to work with, the more loft you need.

The Step-by-Step Guide to a Perfect Pitch Shot

Pitching is a feel-based shot, but that feel is built on a solid technical foundation. Let’s break down the mechanics from setup to finish.

1. The Setup: Your Foundation for Success

A good setup presets a great impact position. Take a moment to get this part right.

• Stance Width: Narrow your stance so your feet are about shoulder-width apart, or even slightly narrower. This encourages your body to rotate freely.
• Ball Position: Place the ball in the center of your stance. This is the neutral and most consistent starting point. For a slightly lower flight, you can move it back an inch, for a higher flight, an inch forward (but for now, stick to the middle).
• Weight Distribution: Settle your weight slightly favoring your lead foot - about 55% to 60%. This helps you strike down on the ball, ensuring a clean, ball-first contact.
• Hand Position: Your hands should be in line with or slightly ahead of the golf ball. This creates a small amount of forward shaft lean, which promotes that crisp, downward strike.

2. The Backswing: Creating Feel and Control

The backswing for a pitch is a shorter, controlled version of your full swing. The length of your backswing is the primary dial for controlling a shot’s distance.

• Stay Connected: Unlike a chip, a pitch involves body rotation. As you take the club back, rotate your chest and shoulders away from the target along with your arms. Don't just lift עםyour arms.
• Use the "Clock" System: A fantastic way to control your distance is to think of your arms as the hands of a clock. A backswing where your lead arm is parallel to the ground is about 9 o'clock. A shorter shot might only require an 8 o'clock swing. A longer pitch might go to 10 o'clock. Find three different zurück swing lengths (e.g., hip-high, chest-high, shoulder-high) and learn how far the ball goes with each.
• Natural Wrist Hinge: As your arms swing back, allow your wrists to hinge naturally. There's no need to force it. The momentum of the clubhead will create the right amount of hinge.

3. The Downswing and Impact: Hitting Down for a Crisp Strike

Now it's time to deliver the club to the ball. The key here is to maintain speed and let the club do its job.

• Body First: Initiate the downswing by leading with your lower body. Unwind your hips and chest toward the target. Your arms and the club will follow this rotation. This sequence is what creates power and consistency.
• Accelerate Through: The number one fault in pitching is deceleration. Commit to accelerating the clubhead through impact. A nervous, tentative swing leads to chunks and thin shots. Feel like the club is still speeding up as it meets the ball.
• Compress the Ball: Remember, you're not trying to a lift the ball. Your goal is to hit down on it. The loft on your wedge is what creates the height. A successful pitch shot strikes the ball first, then takes a small sliver of turf (a shallow divot) just in front of where the ball was.

4. The Follow-Through: Finishing with Balance

Your finish is a direct reflection of your swing. Hold it and check your form.

• Chest to Target: Your body should continue rotating until your chest is facing the target.
• Weight Forward: Nearly all of your weight should be on your lead food, with your trail foot’s heel up off the ground.
• Balanced Finish: Hold your finish until the ball lands. If you can hold your balance, it’s a good sign that your tempo and sequence were in sync.

Common Pitching Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Every golfer struggles with pitching at some point. Here are a couple of the most common issues and some thoughts on correcting them.

Mistake 1: The "Scoop" or "Flip"

This is the attempt to "help" the ball into the air by flicking your wrists at impact. It leads to thin shots that go screaming across the green or heavy shots (chunks) that go nowhere.

The Fix: Focus on keeping the butt of the club ahead of the clubhead through the impact zone. Your body rotation is what squares the face - not your hands. A great drill is to hit pitch shots with a glove or towel tucked under your lead armpit. If it falls out, your arms are separating from your body. Keep it there to feel your arms and body moving as one unit.

Mistake 2: Decelerating into the Ball

Fear of hitting the ball too far causes many golfers to slow the club down right before impact. This is another major cause of inconsistent contact.

The Fix: Focus on rhythm. Make your backswing and follow-through a similar length and speed. Try making a few practice swings Cuhile humming a tune or simply thinking “one-two” - a “one” during the backswing and a “two” during an aggressive but smooth downswing through the ball. The goal is to feel a constant motion, not a hit.

Final Thoughts

Pitching is what separates good short-game players from average ones. It turns a potential bogey into a simple par or even a birdie. By building a reliable technique based on a solid setup, body rotation, and acceleration through the ball, you can turn this once-daunting shot into one of your biggest strengths.

Getting comfortable with these shots takes practice, but having a clear plan on the course is a huge part of the battle. It helps to have a trusted second opinion when you're faced with a tough pitch where the lie is weird or you're stuck between clubs. That's why we created Caddie AI. When you're in a tricky spot - say the ball is sitting down in thick rough a few yards from a bunker - you can take a picture, and our on-demand coach will instantly analyze the lie and give you a simple, effective strategy. We want to remove the guesswork from those critical scoring shots so you can step up and swing with total confidence.