Hi Paul 2 questions , 1 on these short chips if you want a little higher shot do you open the club face some and and open your stance or just move ball forward some. 2nd ques on tight lies what is more consistent, this way or using your chipping hands forward technique
Yes but what I can’t figure out is why am I topping ONLY the pitch shot. I am pretty ok with the normal swing, the chipping with your technique has become a strong point of my game but I have a block on pitching. Can you help me?
You are topping pitch shots because you are guessing on how to hit the shot. You need to follow my pitching tip. For pitching you are not hitting just like in the full swing. Search the Red Nav Bar: SWING TIPS > PITCHING. This is all explained as well in my Swing Machine Golf short game series.
Hi Paul,
Well, i’m off my crutches and out of my boot after the Achilles surgery. So i’m headed to the range today to start practicing pitching, chipping, and putting. It will be several more weeks before i can start taking full swings. When you pitch or chip are we always looking for 3 or 4 knuckles on the left hand, or is that just for thick rough and sand?
thanks,
ter
” How close should you stand from the ball?” I went for a titiest wedge fitting. The Pro felt I was standing too far from the ball because I was reaching for the ball and hitting some shots on the hosle. He had me stand really close to the ball. He wanted me to feel like I was almost hitting more from the inside. This was for 40-60 yard wedge shots. I felt like I was too close and was concerned it would lead to shanks. Reviewing your lessons I am not sure how close I should be standing from the ball. Appreciate the help
You can try it. If it works then do it. I just like the belt buckle. Easy to think of. Keep in mind you need to move it before the arms start down. Not sure you will be able to feel this with the hip.
I typically open the face a little to use the bounce of the club. Is that ok or should I try it with a square face? I play on a lot of rye and bermuda.
Definitely! I personally use a 56* wedge for my pitch shots as I do not carry a 60* wedge. Some people like to use a 60* wedge though. This is personal preference as to how your golf bag is set up.
Hi Paul
I really like this and also the other wegde positions. grip away from target, grip to the ground etc
This gives me with only “normal ” rotation “clubs” covering everithing but 30m carry (working on that).
Question.
How am I suppose to think/do to apply more backspin for shorter wedges like 15,20,25m?
You can get more backspin by using things like, newer wedges; so sharper cleaner grooves. Having good contact, so that would be correct positioning and technique. And lastly, having the right conditions; good lie int eh fairway and playing a softer golf ball.
I am implementing your tips on pitching and am generally hitting it better but was wondering about hitting with powerless arms with abbreviated backswings. Also what about the follow through?
The follow through should be as rule of thumb always longer than your backswing. This will make sure that you are always accelerating. I would not be trying to abbreviate your backswing too much, try gripping down on the golf club by an inch or even 1.5″. This will make the golf club swing slower, so you don’t have to start trying a golf swing that you might not practice too much.
The toe of the golf club would be pointed down, but more importantly the leading edge should be parallel with your lead forearm (left forearm for a right handed golfer). This would be a square position. If the clubface is pointing towards the sky, this is shut and if the toe is straight down / clubface pointing down then this is open. Check out this tip:
Hi Paul, loving the concept of “dialling in” distances. How do you recomend using the backswing distance control with the slow, medium and fast turn – distance control, or is the turn speed only used to control distance on a full swing?
Paul
Thanks for all the great tips. In the short and medium pitch shots is your stance square or slightly open? I can’t tell for sure from the video angle.
Thanks, Brian
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40 Responses to “How to Hit a Short Pitch Shot”
May 6, 2013
barrybowerHi Paul 2 questions , 1 on these short chips if you want a little higher shot do you open the club face some and and open your stance or just move ball forward some. 2nd ques on tight lies what is more consistent, this way or using your chipping hands forward technique
May 6, 2013
Paul WilsonBarry,
Yes, you can open the face to hit it higher. I will do more tips on this in the future.
Here is how you hit it from tight lies:
Shot: How To Hit From Hard Pan: https://ignitiongolf.com/shot-hard-pan/
May 6, 2013
RandyMillerWhat club are u using and is the face squared or open? What if it is a 60 yard pitch shot. Do u use the same club, but take it back futher?
May 6, 2013
Paul WilsonRandy,
In this normal short pitch shot I am using a SW and the face is square. Learn this first. I will do tips on flop shots in the future.
60 yard shot: How to Pitch: https://ignitiongolf.com/pitch-ball
May 6, 2013
MichaelBlockIs the pitch shot more handsy than the full swing?
May 6, 2013
Paul WilsonMichael,
No, your hands are always powerless in the downswing. Just let the rotational speed of your body bring your hands down.
May 6, 2013
RaymondCHASTELBEN HOGAN would say you should keep your approching pitch shoots low ,for more control and pr
May 6, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
This show will be somewhat low. Try it.
March 14, 2014
FabienDuclocherPaul, I keep getting problem topping this shot. Where may it come from? I don’t think I am raising the head too early…
March 14, 2014
Paul WilsonFabien,
I have done a bunch of tips on this:
Topping: https://ignitiongolf.com/stop-topping-golf-ball
Topping Fairway Woods: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-topping-fairway-woods/
Break the Chain – Stop Topping: https://ignitiongolf.com/break-chain-topping/
Work on this:
Spine Angle Follow Through: https://ignitiongolf.com/follow-through-eyes-tilted
March 15, 2014
FabienDuclocherYes but what I can’t figure out is why am I topping ONLY the pitch shot. I am pretty ok with the normal swing, the chipping with your technique has become a strong point of my game but I have a block on pitching. Can you help me?
March 16, 2014
Paul WilsonFabien,
You are topping pitch shots because you are guessing on how to hit the shot. You need to follow my pitching tip. For pitching you are not hitting just like in the full swing. Search the Red Nav Bar: SWING TIPS > PITCHING. This is all explained as well in my Swing Machine Golf short game series.
How to Pitch: https://ignitiongolf.com/pitch-ball
July 11, 2015
terrybadgerHi Paul,
Well, i’m off my crutches and out of my boot after the Achilles surgery. So i’m headed to the range today to start practicing pitching, chipping, and putting. It will be several more weeks before i can start taking full swings. When you pitch or chip are we always looking for 3 or 4 knuckles on the left hand, or is that just for thick rough and sand?
thanks,
ter
July 12, 2015
Paul WilsonTerry,
You are only seeing 3-4 knuckles when chipping or doing a knock down shot. Pitching is your normal grip.
July 6, 2016
WilliamCorriganGreat lessons. I love your website and having the short little videos that concentrate on the specific shots.
July 7, 2016
Paul WilsonWilliam,
Thank you so much. I appreciate the feedback.
January 15, 2017
WilliamHeuer” How close should you stand from the ball?” I went for a titiest wedge fitting. The Pro felt I was standing too far from the ball because I was reaching for the ball and hitting some shots on the hosle. He had me stand really close to the ball. He wanted me to feel like I was almost hitting more from the inside. This was for 40-60 yard wedge shots. I felt like I was too close and was concerned it would lead to shanks. Reviewing your lessons I am not sure how close I should be standing from the ball. Appreciate the help
January 15, 2017
Paul WilsonBill,
I did a tip on this here:
How To Check Your Distance From The Ball: https://ignitiongolf.com/distance-from-ball/
July 24, 2017
farinfarina100Hi Paul
What would be the disadvantages of turning the hip rather than the belt buckle in pitching. Thank you
July 24, 2017
Paul WilsonFarin,
You can try it. If it works then do it. I just like the belt buckle. Easy to think of. Keep in mind you need to move it before the arms start down. Not sure you will be able to feel this with the hip.
July 24, 2017
farinfarina100Thank you Paul for the quick response
October 13, 2018
JimBenjaminPaul,
I typically open the face a little to use the bounce of the club. Is that ok or should I try it with a square face? I play on a lot of rye and bermuda.
Jim
October 15, 2018
Paul WilsonJim,
You can open the face. If so you are now hitting a flop shot.
Flop Shot: https://ignitiongolf.com/flop-shot-pitching/
Short Game – How To Hit Flop Shots: https://ignitiongolf.com/hit-flop-shots/
March 31, 2019
FishmanMartinDo you keep your wristed cocked throughout the downswing or do you uncock on the downswing?
March 31, 2019
Paul WilsonFishman,
The wrists would be rehinging as in your real golf swing. If you don’t do this you will hit it thin and right for a right handed golfer.
March 31, 2019
Paul WilsonSorry,
Martin not Fishman.
May 7, 2020
MichaelBarrettPaul,
Do you generally use a sand wedge for these type of shots? Say 56 or so degrees?
Thanks
Mike
May 9, 2020
Paul WilsonDefinitely! I personally use a 56* wedge for my pitch shots as I do not carry a 60* wedge. Some people like to use a 60* wedge though. This is personal preference as to how your golf bag is set up.
September 7, 2020
nicklasperssonHi Paul
I really like this and also the other wegde positions. grip away from target, grip to the ground etc
This gives me with only “normal ” rotation “clubs” covering everithing but 30m carry (working on that).
Question.
How am I suppose to think/do to apply more backspin for shorter wedges like 15,20,25m?
September 10, 2020
Paul WilsonYou can get more backspin by using things like, newer wedges; so sharper cleaner grooves. Having good contact, so that would be correct positioning and technique. And lastly, having the right conditions; good lie int eh fairway and playing a softer golf ball.
January 10, 2021
Louislingrenshould we bump and run or chip if the the distance to the is 10 to 15 yards to the green and 5, 10 or 15 to the green
January 11, 2021
Paul WilsonYou want to make sure that there is a correct ratio and this will tell you if you are chipping or pitching. These 2 tips tell exactly:
Chipping Ratios: https://ignitiongolf.com/short-pitch-shot-distances/
When To Pitch: https://ignitiongolf.com/chipping-pitching
April 12, 2021
RobertCothamI am implementing your tips on pitching and am generally hitting it better but was wondering about hitting with powerless arms with abbreviated backswings. Also what about the follow through?
April 14, 2021
Paul WilsonThe follow through should be as rule of thumb always longer than your backswing. This will make sure that you are always accelerating. I would not be trying to abbreviate your backswing too much, try gripping down on the golf club by an inch or even 1.5″. This will make the golf club swing slower, so you don’t have to start trying a golf swing that you might not practice too much.
April 29, 2021
ThomasGraywhere should the toe of the club be at top of backswing……up, or more closed??
May 1, 2021
Paul WilsonThe toe of the golf club would be pointed down, but more importantly the leading edge should be parallel with your lead forearm (left forearm for a right handed golfer). This would be a square position. If the clubface is pointing towards the sky, this is shut and if the toe is straight down / clubface pointing down then this is open. Check out this tip:
Top of Backswing Square: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-square-at-top/
May 16, 2021
SteveShawHi Paul, loving the concept of “dialling in” distances. How do you recomend using the backswing distance control with the slow, medium and fast turn – distance control, or is the turn speed only used to control distance on a full swing?
May 16, 2021
Paul WilsonYou are using 3 different backswing lengths with the 2 or 3 rotational speeds of your body. Watch this tip:
How to Pitch: https://ignitiongolf.com/pitch-ball/
October 25, 2021
BrianStaabPaul
Thanks for all the great tips. In the short and medium pitch shots is your stance square or slightly open? I can’t tell for sure from the video angle.
Thanks, Brian
November 16, 2021
Paul WilsonYou can have it either. Slightly open is probably the more common one you would see in professional golfers. You just never want it closed.