GOLF TIP - The 20 to 40 Yard Pitch Shot

GOLF TIP by Cindy MacNider
LPGA Teaching Professional

"The 20-40 Yard Pitch Shot"

Do you panic when faced with a short shot, say 20 yards to the hole? Most of us do. We worry about topping the ball and having it end up in the bunker on the other side of the green. It’s happened too often for us not to think about it. Well, there is hope.

Here are two tips to help you master the pitch shot.

First, we will address how to hit it in the center of the clubface for consistent loft each time. We cannot measure distance until the balls response off the clubface is the same each time.

The biggest swing error I see in students facing the 20 – 40 yard pitch shot is fear. Their minds are screaming for mercy, praying for luck, and hoping for the best. This fear causes the player to poke or jab at the ball instead of swinging confidently through the ball. Poking or jabbing causes the club to decelerate as you’re approaching the ball. The first step in hitting the sweet spot is to accelerate through the ball. To do this, you must eliminate your fear and trust that you CAN make this shot. Successful practice will build your confidence but here’s a tip on how to practice.

The fundamental thing that makes the ball go in the air is simply to "brush the grass." If the ball needs to respond off the center of the clubface and the ball is resting on the ground, then you must get the bottom edge of the clubface under the ball. This is the "brushing of the grass" Take a few practice swings and brush the grass each time. Notice how easy it is if you are relaxed and not "gripping the devil" out of the club. Go back and forth and back and forth like a metronome.

Once this is accomplished, the second challenge is to generate the different distances required to get the ball close to the hole.

Don’t cut your finish short. After your shot, pause the follow through position to see where you are. Practice this to ensure a complete follow through each time. Remember, your first goal is to get the ball lofted the same each time. After that, you can start to work on your distance.