Click Here to Print Pitching Handout
When to Play a Pitch shot.
The player may be required to play a pitch shot if:
The ball is too far away to chip but too close for a full swing.
You want the ball to travel more in the air than along the ground.
Which Club to Use?
SW, PW and 9 iron.
Set Up.
The key areas to remember when setting up for a pitch shot are:
1. Clubface - should point towards the target (see putting clubface aim) 2. Hold – ten finger hold or overlap, hand placed towards the bottom of
the grip.
3. Stance & Body Aim (feet) – just less than shoulder width and slightly
wider than the chip shot. The body should aim slightly left of the target.
4. Posture – keeping the back flat tilt forward from the hips, slightly bend the
knees.
5. Ball Position – one inch to the right of centre.
6. Weight distribution – 60% on the left leg, 40% on the right leg.
Swing Motion.
The backswing motion should be where the left arm is parallel to the ground and the club
shaft is at an angle of 90°to the left arm – see pic 1.
During the downswing the club should be smoothly accelerated and the follow though should be at
least the same length as the backswing or slightly longer due to the acceleration of the club on the
downswing – see pic 3.
1. Backswing. 2. Impact. 3. Follow-though.
Expected ball flights when pitching.
The ball will spend more time in the air than on the ground.