Short Game - How to Play a Pitch Shot

The Pitch Shot

How to play a classic pitch shot which is a high shot with limited roll:

At Address

• Shoulder square or slightly Open (left)
• Centre of chest over ball
• Heels 9-12 inches apart
• Ball forward of centre
• Shaft points to left armpit
• Hands ahead of the ball
• Grip down the club
• Feet and Hips aimed slightly Open (left)

Do - Mentally focus on the pace and balance of your swing
Don’t - freeze over the club - try a few waggles if it helps

Backswing

• The wrists set the club upward
• Hips may rotate slightly
• Take club head inside and up on a natural path and plane
• Maintain your posture at address
• Hands between 9 -11 O’Clock
• Upper body rotates freely in line with the arms and hand action
• Limited  lower body action

Do - allow your upper body to rotate and turn in harmony with the movement of your hands and arms.
Don’t - pick the club straight up during the takeaway.

Impact
 

• Smooth transition down
• Keep your head still
• Body retains the posture and angles set at address
• The lower body is relatively passive
• Triangle is similar to that at address
• Ball should feel like it’s been “gathered” not “hit”.
• Hands and arms work in harmony with the body unwinding
• At impact hands may be a little forward than address
• Weight moves towards front foot as body unwinds

Do - Keep turning your upper body back through impact
Don’t - try to help the ball into the air

Follow-Through

• Controlled balanced finish
• The lower body is relatively passive
• Upper body will face the target
• Follow-through length similar to backswing
• Triangle of arms, hands and club shaft in front of chest
• Weight favours front foot

Do - Stay balanced and watch the ball as it lands and rolls
Don’t - Let the follow-through get too long

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