Open or Closed Face for Pitch Shots?

[jfrain2004]

I've been experimenting with keeping an open face through impact to the finish for all but full pitch shots and seem to be getting better results and more consistent contact as opposed to closing the face over as per a normal full shot.
Anyone vary the clubface like this for different shots any if so what shots/ball lies do you think best suit each approach?

[trickymicky69]

It depends what i want to achieve

If I want it to run, I close the face.

If I want it to stop quicker and land softer I open it.

It might not be right but thats what I do

[JWL1957]

I've been experimenting with keeping an open face through impact to the finish for all but full pitch shots and seem to be getting better results and more consistent contact as opposed to closing the face over as per a normal full shot.

For me...... it depends on the lie and what I want the ball to do. High pitch from a good lie = open face slightly. Lower pitch with some run = face square to slightly shut. High pitch from a tight lie = close eyes, death grip, and a few prayers.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I play all of my pitch shots with an open face. The type of lie i have depends on how much spin on the ball i impart. If i have a clean lie, i actually end up putting more spin on the ball with an open face than with the face square or closed. From greenside rough, i lay it flat and basically hit a bunker shot. When using the bounce on the wedge, this shot is practically idiot proof. An open face in the greenside rough also helps prevent the grass from grabbing the hosel.

[lumpuckeroo]

I play from a square club face and then in the swing leave the club face open. A little odd but I think I line up better with a square face and then I just have a natural swing that leaves the face open.

[Koth]

If you leave the club face open, how do you prevent the ball from going off to the right? (or left, if you're left-handed)

[jfrain2004]

what I mean is to have the face square at impact and keep it looking skywards right through to the finish. Seems to create more bounce or something and pops the ball up nicely almost all the time. Finish just feels a bit awkward

[DavidFehertysBike]

If you leave the club face open, how do you prevent the ball from going off to the right? (or left, if you're left-handed)

Magic!!!!

[Fourputt]

Square to open.... never closed. It depends on the situation. Most often square. I like to let the ball run out with less spin most of the time. I feel that it has a better chance of hitting the hole or the flagstick with the right pace when it rolls to the hole.

[James_Black]

I close the face on my 60* and hit a bump and check shot.

The greens aren´t as hard at my course than what most of you guys play on so I don´t need to throw the ball up into the air

[Kieran123]

I play all of my pitch shots with an open face. The type of lie i have depends on how much spin on the ball i impart. If i have a clean lie, i actually end up putting more spin on the ball with an open face than with the face square or closed. From greenside rough, i lay it flat and basically hit a bunker shot. When using the bounce on the wedge, this shot is practically idiot proof. An open face in the greenside rough also helps prevent the grass from grabbing the hosel.

This.

I like having a little more spin.

[ohiolefty]

It sounds like some of you need to learn to hit a low skidder with a square, even slightly closed, face. It'll change your life. Plus it looks really cool to hit a low, driven shot that stops dead after a bounce or two. Chicks dig it.

[soloredd]

I close the face on my 60* and hit a bump and check shot.

That's what I do as well with my 56*. I focus more on where to land the ball and it takes a couples bounces and stops. If I have to go over a hazard or sloping ridge, I'll use the 60* and get it up.

[Leftygolfer]

I typically play with an open face. I like using the bounce to have a little margin of error. With a square face, you hit it a touch heavy it is going to be bad b/c the leading edge digs in. With an open face it goes through the turf so at least the shot is marginal and not horrid. If I got a shot I really want to keep low and run, I will use a square face. I never close the face.

I can hit low spinners with an open face and a decending strike with my 64 or 58. It is kind of strange but if I want I can hit my 64 as low as a pitching wedge but with tons of spin. This is more of a 30 yard pitch.

[zeg]

Square to maybe a tiny bit open, unless I'm hitting a flop with a super-open face (usually only for fun at the end of a practice session, though did make it over some trees with a 60 degree flop in a situation last round where there was no real alternative).

[msd3075]

If you leave the club face open, how do you prevent the ball from going off to the right? (or left, if you're left-handed)

You open your stance up but keep the clubhead "pointed" at the target.

As for what I do, my clubface is always square to the target unless I'm hitting a flop shot from a lie in the rough and the ball is sitting up on top of the grass. I do open up my stance so the club isn't directly "square", but I don't open it up like what's being described in this thread. I like to keep my short game shots simple instead of always changing everything for different lies/carries/slopes/etc.

[Zeph]

Except in a rare situtation where I really need a high shot, I'll hit everything with a square face. I regulate height by using different clubs.

I figure I make it easier by having the same alignment every time and just change the club. I also hit it square in bunkers.

The ball will go in whatever direction the clubface is aimed, so I aim it straight ahead where I want to hit it, simple.

[jamo]

In rare occasions I will close the face, but I hit almost all short game shots with an open face. Because I hit all pitch shots with my 60* LW, opening the face barely changes the face angle directionally, but it adds loft and bounce.