Pitch Shot
Hit Those Greens In Regulation

A Pitch shot is basically an exaggerated chip shot, when attempting a pitching shot the same applies to that of the chip shot except instead of using a putting grip you would use your conventional golf grip.

Improving your pitch shot will quickly reduce your handicap as you will find 70 percent of your shots will be from 50-70 yards in, particularly with the par fives and with a lot of short par fours.

The pitching shot is somewhere between your chip shot and your full golf swing, the difference being a 'chip' is an approach shot with a short carry and a longer run, and a 'pitch' is an approach shot with a longer carry and a very short run.  As described in lesson twelve you need an open stance, so draw your front foot back slightly to open your stance, turning the top of your body towards the target.

Your weight needs to be 60 percent on your front foot, the golf ball slightly behind the center of your stance, with your hands in front of the ball. As with the chip shot as you start your back swing there will be very little movement from your hips like in the full golf swing, as you have an open stance which will help you swing through. There will be no weight shift as your weight will remain as with your set up.

Your stance will create a 'downward' strike, much needed to get the ball in the air. 

What clubs to use? Depending on the distance and the terrain, there are a number of clubs you can use. From 50-70 yards you'll probably use a pitching wedge, however with practice you will find you can get the same distance with a variety of golf wedges and other clubs.

The best drill to find 'your' distance with your wedges is to go to the range, take a pitching wedge, a sand wedge and perhaps a gap wedge and lob wedge if you use them.

Take 15 golf balls for each club, then take 15 pitching shots as described above with each club, only with the first five bring the club back to 7 O clock, the next five back to 9 O clock, and the last five back to 10 O clock (which is about as far back as you can get with the correct stance!).

Using this drill you will soon find 'your' distances, and when out on the golf course when faced with a 40 yard pitch shot you can think back to the range and know exactly which club to select, and the right technique for that perfect golf shot.

Most beginners will get a lesson from a friend or even have a lesson with a PGA Pro (much recommended) and soon be hitting balls 280 yards down at the driving range.

Trouble is most beginners neglect their short game, chipping, pitching and putting are vitally important to lowering your score, lets face it, they're the most shots you take in a round of golf anyway!

So practice, practice, practice your short game, you will get so much more enjoyment out of the game,  with a sound pitch shot you will hit more greens, make more putts and be well on the way to lowering your handicap.

Lesson Fourteen Bunker Shots

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