Pitch Shots 60-100 yards out

[abraxas]

lately ive been having problems hitting my pitches straight in this range. my typical shot has acceptable distance to the flag just ALWAYS left about 10-20 yards. im trying all different types of setups and am getting more confused

just doing research it seems like some typical setups are:
- open stance, open club face, ball in middle-front leg
- square stance, square face, ball in back

how do you guys set up and hit this shot??

[Harmonious]

I would guess your full swing is left to right. With short shots (more loft) the sidespin is reduced, leaving you with a pull.

I generally play my partial wedges with a pretty square setup, not a pronounced opening of the stance. Unless I want to put some slice spin on the ball, such as to a front right pin, I try to hit with a square clubface. I play the ball in the center of my stance, maybe even a little back of center.

[brgolf]

When I am 'shaking hands with the target' after a 1/4 swing the toe of the club is pointing to the sky. If the ball is going left try to ensure the face is pointing to the sky. At least that is how I have been controlling ball flight of late and it avoids almost all of the stance, ball position adjustments.

[Zeph]

Stance and club square to wherever I want the ball to land. Ball position middle of the stance or slightly forward.

Make sure you don't rotate the arms and close the clubface.

[danieldrieberg]

I struggled with this problem too. Finally the solution was to firmly picture the target in my mind. Once that is done pull the trigger within 2 seconds. I found my muscle memory and swing was fine just needed a guidance consular.

BTW left miss was also related to my aiming technique. I'm right handed and right eye dominate. When I lined up initially with my right eye or both eyes I was right on. But then I would peek with a incomplete head turn. The result was the final aim was with the left eye resulting in a apparent left shift of the target.

[double_j]

Hit it like a normal wedge. Square alignment/clubface, choke down slightly for more control, etc. Don't get too fancy with it.

Control distance with your backswing (learn the 1/2, 3/4 distances for each of your wedges) and make sure that you accelerate through the ball. Stay down on the ball through impact to keep from skulling it.

[sean_miller]

lately ive been having problems hitting my pitches straight in this range. my typical shot has acceptable distance to the flag just ALWAYS left about 10-20 yards. im trying all different types of setups and am getting more confused

I had a similar problem with my 8-iron for years. I'd have to imagine my target was 10 paces right of the green in order to hit any part of the green. Turns out my 8 was too upright. Got the lofts and lies done and now it's as accurate as any iron in the bag (for good or bad).

Currently I tend to pull my short irons when I swing too hard or don't make a proper shoulder turn. I guess there are a few causes for my ball going left.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Ive discovered over the years that you pretty much have to dead arm that 60-100 yard pitch shot. If you have too much rotation or hands in the swing it call throw off the direction and spin of the ball. I usually play trajectory here instead of distance, per sea. Say i have a 60 yard pitch- most of the time ill use a GW, choke down, and just put a long lazy swing on it. This shot will release a few feet, as well.

[double_j]

And usually, it doesn't hurt to play the shot with a bit more juice than you think you'll need until you really get a feel for your distance control. I'd say that hitting it long 10 yards is better than a 5 yard chunk in most circumstances.

[abraxas]

its funny because everythings thats been posted makes sense...

- distance control, although not ideal, isnt really my main problem
- ive been trying to imagine my target line when im about to hit but never realized how HARD this is
to do!!! but i know this is key to improving accuracy on any shot so ill def keep at it

- i think the point about swinging hard may be right
i tend to really come down with my irons and take a divot
maybe this isnt the same swing i should have with my wedges?

also, what do you mean by "dead arms" or not rotating too much?

[acegolfer]

And usually, it doesn't hurt to play the shot with a bit more juice than you think you'll need until you really get a feel for your distance control. I'd say that hitting it long 10 yards is better than a 5 yard chunk in most circumstances.

+1

In the past, I have struggled greatly with any shot that requires wrist hinge + less than full swing (40-80 yards). In retrospect, I tried to hit a perfect shot to get up and down all the time. Now, all I try to do is get it on the green so that I can 2 putt. If I do this, I make considerably less chunk shots.

[CalBoomer]

I use a slight modification of the Mickelson method. Ball slightly ahead of center, slightly open stance, slightly open club face, slight forward press, hands always ahead of club face, hit down slightly, dead hands and wrist on follow-through. Same set-up for all the wedges. With this method, I can hit the ball off hard dirt without chunking or blading. Off turf is a breeze. Try it. It works.

[Leftygolfer]

I play with a slightly open stance and face. I just focus on where I want to hit it, set up, and make a very controlled swing to a almost full finish. When I get in trouble is I either am thinking too much about something or I swing too hard. I pull these sometimes and it is from coming slightly over the top. That sounds like your miss.

[buckeyeben14]

I use my 56 degree sand wedge