10 things you need to know about pitching accurately, according to top teachers

If you want to become a great pitcher, all you need are a few keys. Below I’ve listed everything you need to know so you can execute these shots like a pro and get them close enough for a putt.

Follow the editor to find out what they are.

1. Use a higher loft club

Choosing the right club for your shot may seem tricky, but it’s easier than you think. Remember, you want to get the ball in the air, so you want to use one of the clubs with the highest loft, such as a loft wedge, a sand wedge, or a gap wedge. These clubs are also designed with a rounded sole or bounce, which helps them glide on the ground and reduces your chance of catching the leading edge.

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2. Take a full swing stance

Most pitches require a longer swing, which means you need to prepare like any other full-swing shot. This means maintaining a balanced, athletic posture. Bend from the hips, let your arms hang naturally, and place your hands under your shoulders. Having the correct stance and form will help you make solid, consistent contact and give you complete control over distance.

3. Place the club correctly

I’ve seen from amateurs that not knowing how to position the club during setup is a common mistake. Most amateurs I see think the leading edge should be flush with the ground, but if you do it correctly, your club will actually rest on the bounce, lifting the leading edge slightly off the turf.

Another problem I see players have is knowing when their clubface is square. The added loft of a wedge actually makes it appear open, but many golfers don’t know this, so they often close the clubface thinking they’re squaring it up. Unfortunately, this actually increases their chances of seizing the lead. Instead, try to find a mark or indicator on the center of the shaft or grip to know when your face is square, open, or closed.

A good way to check if the clubface position is correct is to take a few practice swings. If the club hits the ground and dents, it’s likely that it was set up incorrectly. When you reset, check to see if it stays on the bounce and square when set.

4. The ball position is slightly forward

Ball position is critical to every shot in golf, especially pitching. As a general rule of thumb, the ball should be slightly forward when pitching to allow for a clean catch.

However, depending on the lie of the ball, sometimes your ball position may change. For example, a nice lie may require a slightly forward lie to increase loft and bounce. If you’re not sure, a good way to check your ball position is to take a few practice swings and see where your club naturally clips into the ground.

One thing to remember when preparing to pitch is that you never want your ball position to drift behind center. Playing the ball too far back causes the shaft to lean too far forward, which reduces loft and bounce. It can also cause the leading edge to seize and dig, creating the dreaded chunks.

5. Use your backswing to control distance

The most effective way to control backswing distance is to adjust the length of the backswing. This is because it helps you naturally adjust the speed at which the club moves. A great technique for controlling distance is the clock method, where you can think of your swing as a clock and allocate your yardage to different “times.”

6. Match your settings to your swing

It helps to match your set size to your desired swing size. For some players, making small swings from a full swing setting is difficult. Rather than feeling uncomfortable, try reducing your grip or contracting your position. Both of these adjustments can help you control the power of your shot.

7. Think about “brushing grass”

If you’re having trouble maintaining a consistent shot at impact, try taking a few practice swings first and then consider brushing the grass with the sole of the club. If you do it correctly, you’ll hear a satisfying “thump” when you hit the turf. Not only does this help you capitalize on bounce and get the ball into the air, it also helps you avoid those pesky chunks and thin balls without having to think too much about hitting the ball.

8. Use a scraper drill

One of my favorite pitching drills is the scratch drill because it helps players lift and correct contact issues. To try it out, get into your setup and, without taking a backswing, drag the club across the grass. You should feel your club squeezing or scraping the turf on the way to the finish.

When you do this a few times, you’ll notice how low to the ground you need to get your club to sweep the ground and make solid center-plane contact with the ball. Remember, the club can only do the work for you and get the ball in the air when you hit the sweet spot.

9. Don’t forget to rotate

Although the pitch is a shorter, feel-based hit, it still requires a small amount of rotation or pivoting at impact. A good way to check if you are turning correctly is to see if your heels are lifted as you follow. If you do it correctly, your heels will rise as your body rotates.

10. Calibrate your distance

If you want to hit your wedges very accurately, you have to calibrate your distance. A good way to do this is to figure out what club and swing length you need to carry the ball different distances. I tell my students to practice in increments of 10 and write down the combination of their backswing length and club selection that will allow the ball to carry and land 10 yards, 20 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards, etc.

Write it down and refer to it when you play. Next time you’re on the course, you’ll no longer have to guess, you’ll know exactly what club to use and how long to swing it for.

If you found this information helpful, you can access more of my pitching tips here or follow me on Instagram for more great golf instruction.