Pitching

[mike93]

In the past few days i've become particularly interested in improving my pitching technique (from about 30 to 70 yards), however, i've found that different sources on the internet are very contradictorary, especially about the set-up.

Some say keep your weight distributed evenly, some say 60:40 in favour of your leading foot. Some say keep the weight on the balls of your feet, others say on your heels for balance etc etc.

So to get to the point, i would just like to know what you feel is the correct pitching technique.

Cheers, Mike.

[denver_nuggs_15]

I think the idea of the weight distribution means very little. You want to have a "quiet" lower body. That is, your lower body doesn't move much. You would lose distance but gain accuracy.
60:40 on your front foot just gets you to hit down more. It's not a big deal if you already know how to swing properly.
I just think of a pitch as a shorter swing. I set up basically the same way (maybe a little open stance, open club face, and feet not that far apart).

Practice and find what works for you.

[ks8829]

One of the better video on chipping below


http://www.videojug.com/film/golf-ho...-50-yard-pitch

[Brakkus]

whatever pitching method you choose,loose arms is the key.Because of the slower speed of the swing the tendency will be to grip the club harder to try to gain control,but don,t be afraid to really allow yourself to feel the weight of the club.
Let it do the work and this will stop chunking and skulling.It,s easy to hit a ball 70 yards with pitching swing so trust it.

[glbrum]

I learned a new technique recently that I added in a different thread. the link is below [hopefully it works]:

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthr...071#post240071

[TommyD69]

This has been my "bug-a-boo" for quite a while, and I have been working on my pitching constantly...

A pitch (high lofted soft landing) shot is your "normal" swing in miniature.

Your hips could be a little open to allow your hands a place to swing through, you should always accelerate through the shot, and finish with your hands high, looking at your target.

What I have found that everyone does NOT tell you is that you have to quickly (exaggerate) your wrist cock. You are executing a "small swing" but you still have to get your wrists cocked, in a SMALL AMOUNT of time.

You may only take 1/4 of a back swing (maybe get your hands to 9:00) but you still have to have your wrists cocked in order to execute an athletic (small) golf swing.

You want to make a swing and hit down on the ball, NOT take some kind of a scoop!

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!!

[Mr Eagle]

Basically I have the least moving parts as possible and use the least lofted club I can get away with.

ie If you can get away with a putting stroke with a 4 iron why would you want to risk a big swing with a lob wedge?

[imtomtomim]

I had trouble with the quiet lower body. but I do agree with brakkus about the loose arms, keeping them extended. I get better control with a fuller body motion. As long as my body is moving in tempo with itself, all my strokes are pure.

[DiverDown]

I had trouble with the quiet lower body. but I do agree with brakkus about the loose arms, keeping them extended. I get better control with a fuller body motion. As long as my body is moving in tempo with itself, all my strokes are pure.

Yes, it all depends on the technique. Stan Utley does not promote keeping the lower body quiet. I'm reading his book right now on the short game and so far so good.

[flopdarock]

pitching is my absolute fav thing to do... when im not playing i practice pitching... feet close together... 1/2 to 3/4 swings... maybe i should spend wayyyy more time practicing my putting :(

[ks8829]

I practiced my short game for 2.5 hours today and saw a big difference. I was making solid contact and working on distance control with different clubs.

I can't wait until this Thursday when I play next.

[ebough]

Dave Peltz, a major guru of wedge pitching, recommends a "dead hands" swing, not a miniature normal swing. His reasoning is that in pitching, as in putting, keeping hand action out of the equation contributes to more consistency.

[willman611]

i find that if uput the ball a little back in your stance and put most of your weight on your left foot it helps with hitting the ball nice and crisp. but the swing is really made with your arms.

[msd3075]

The technique I was taught was to pretend I'm jumping out of an airplane; you should feel as if you are giving yourself one big push and then "let go" to let the club do the work for you. When you jump out of a plane, all you can do is jsut push yourself out of the plane. Once you are out, gravity is doing the rest of the work for you. On pitch shots, you should do that same. Weight distribution and grip pressure are important, but what is more important is making sure you are still swinging at the ball and not "babying" it since it's not a full swing.