Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
We continue the series about the 'scoring game' and the vital components that can help improve anybody's golf game this week by moving a little further back from the putting surface.
In previous weeks I have looked at putting and chipping in a bid to sharpen up your game on and around the green, but in this article I am going to focus on a stroke that I see played badly as much as any other shot in golf - the pitch shot.
We all remember the three-putts or the sliced drive or the topped iron shot. But what about missing the green with a simple wedge from 50 yards? How often do you practice that shot? (My guess would be rarely, if ever) How often do you need to play that shot? (Several times a round I would imagine!)
Now, I can tell you that this is a pretty serious shot to get wrong. Instead of setting up birdie opportunities, you'll be missing greens and too often struggling to make par. It is a shot that club players need to play well - as much as the pros - as you will probably have to play it more often than the longer hitters or more accurate players.
Not only will bad pitching start to wear you down, it will place a huge amount of pressure on your chipping and putting. So as well as failing to make birdies, you will also be making plenty of bogeys and worse!!
Sharpen up your pitching and you'll see your scores tumbling down - more greens hit, more confidence and less of those nasty big numbers on the card!
Where to begin - let's get the mistakes out of the way to start with!
There are a lot of misconceptions and confusion that I see with many players when it comes to pitching. Lots of players think that it is just like every other full shot, and that's the first mistake. Others will do anything they can to muscle a pitching wedge 150 yards to the green - almost as though hitting as little club as possible makes it a better shot. Another mistake - we've all done it!!
Pitching isn't just another full shot. You need to make a few subtle changes at address, which will influence the shape of your swing and help you become a better pitcher. You certainly don't have to muscle the ball. Accuracy, control and judgment of distance are the three key elements.
Key tip - get armed for the job.
I carry three wedges and I would say that there is hardly a Professional playing the game who doesn't do the same. I don't care how far you hit the ball or how good you think your short game is, you need three wedges - from 100 yards in, that's where you make your score. The three wedges that I carry have 48, 52 and 56 degrees of loft (Photo 1) which gives me a good spread of distances covered. Many people carry a 60 degree or lob wedge as well for shorter distances. Once you've picked your wedges, you need to know how far each one goes. Pitching is a precise business, not hit and hope. Get the right equipment and know how far you hit it!!
Modify your set-up.
When setting up for a pitch shot, open your stance slightly whilst keeping your shoulders and hips square to the target. This encourages a slightly more upright backswing, perfect for pitching. Keep the ball in the centre of your stance for a standard pitch and favour your left side slightly with your weight to help create the right angle of attack.
Set the club on the correct plane.
Turn your body and hinge your wrists up to form a 90 degree angle with your left forearm (Photo 2) up to a comfortable three-quarter position whilst retaining the feeling of your weight slightly favouring your left leg.
Turn through and strike the ball crisply.
Turn your body towards the target and make sure your head is over the ball. Relax as your hands lead the club head while you accelerate through impact, taking the ball then turf for a crisp strike.
Once you have gained consistency with the standard pitch, try practicing the following:
Experimenting with the ball position within your stance is the easiest way to adjust the trajectory of your shots: play it back in the stance to punch it low (Photo 3), forward to cut it up high (Photo 4). General rule for ball position (for a right hander): Left for loft, right for roll.
Vary the swing for improved distance control: with three wedges in the bag and by utilising different lengths of swing you can cover all of the distances you need: whatever distance you swing back, make sure you follow through slightly longer to ensure acceleration through the ball.
With a bit of practice you will start to get that lovely crisp ball-then-turf strike on your pitches, giving you more consistency, more control and set up more birdie chances.
Next week: Escaping the sand trap - its not as difficult as you think!
