Quickie Pitching Video - Golf Pitch Shot Technique

[rehmwa]

I've always thought that I was a "feel" player for shorter length shots..........Meaning, I didn't care what the yardage was, and I didn't want to know.  I just saw it and hit it.  Now I realize that's poppycock.

Thanks to this technique, and the purchase of a laser rangefinder, I now know that my "full swing" pitch with this technique is about 40-45 yards.

That would be really hard for some people to say.  CONGRATS.

My full swing pitch is right on 35 Yards.  If I choke down to the end of the grip - 25.  Varying the backswing amount to specific points has given me other stock distances that are repeatable....'feel' for the fine tuning when in between.  It's still not 'mechanical' since the 'feel' part is repeating that feel for those shots, but it's just more accurate and repeatable.  Crazy, isn't it?  It's great to go to the range, and see a chipping/pitching basket out there and really feel like I can hit it on the first shot rather than having to dial it in over a few shots.

This video from these guys really was a huge win for me.  I'm grateful.

[Golfingdad]

That would be really hard for some people to say.  CONGRATS.

My full swing pitch is right on 35 Yards.  If I choke down to the end of the grip - 25.  Varying the backswing amount to specific points has given me other stock distances that are repeatable....'feel' for the fine tuning when in between.  It's still not 'mechanical' since the 'feel' part is repeating that feel for those shots, but it's just more accurate and repeatable.  Crazy, isn't it?  It's great to go to the range, and see a chipping/pitching basket out there and really feel like I can hit it on the first shot rather than having to dial it in over a few shots.

This video from these guys really was a huge win for me.  I'm grateful.

LOL, thanks.  I haven't yet experimented with choking up.  I've only experimented with opening the face a tad, as well as hand location (higher/lower).  I've also experimented with my 59* wedge also, but with poor results.  Right now, I'm sticking with the 54 for all of these shots (it has more bounce) until I get better, or get new wedges ;)

[iacas]

I don't particularly agree with how it's "all arms" or that hitting slightly behind the ball is bad (glide, baby!), but this is a DRILL we use for teaching this, and Tiger does it nicely here. I don't know why he felt the need to do so - it's not like his back foot would have been off the ground or in the sand. But anyway…

Pay attention to how close the butt of the club stays to him - it looks like a lot of "lag" but gravity (feeling alert!) "releases" it quickly, and through the hit the BOC stays close to Tiger's belt. Also note how much he's pivoting through the shot. It's not a lot, but it's also only a 10-yard shot.

Edit: Upon thinking about it, Tiger may have basically been doing the "drill" motion for the same reason we teach it - to stop any chance of his weight falling back. He'd rather fall forward into the bunker on his follow-through than fall back and really hit too far behind (over 2 inches) or blade it. I've told people I'll hit pitches with my right foot banked - same idea here, basically.

[Jakester23]

I don't particularly agree with how it's "all arms" or that hitting slightly behind the ball is bad (glide, baby!), but this is a DRILL we use for teaching this, and Tiger does it nicely here. I don't know why he felt the need to do so - it's not like his back foot would have been off the ground or in the sand. But anyway…

Pay attention to how close the butt of the club stays to him - it looks like a lot of "lag" but gravity (feeling alert!) "releases" it quickly, and through the hit the BOC stays close to Tiger's belt. Also note how much he's pivoting through the shot. It's not a lot, but it's also only a 10-yard shot.

Edit: Upon thinking about it, Tiger may have basically been doing the "drill" motion for the same reason we teach it - to stop any chance of his weight falling back. He'd rather fall forward into the bunker on his follow-through than fall back and really hit too far behind (over 2 inches) or blade it. I've told people I'll hit pitches with my right foot banked - same idea here, basically.

Awesome find Erik. I cannot say enough how much this shot has changed my game and I love seeing this thread stay alive. I really appreciate what you do for all of us. Thanks

[mvmac]

Pay attention to how close the butt of the club stays to him - it looks like a lot of "lag" but gravity (feeling alert!) "releases" it quickly, and through the hit the BOC stays close to Tiger's belt. Also note how much he's pivoting through the shot. It's not a lot, but it's also only a 10-yard shot.

Yeah good find.  Weight forward but a very aggressive pivot through the shot.

Edit: Upon thinking about it, Tiger may have basically been doing the "drill" motion for the same reason we teach it - to stop any chance of his weight falling back. He'd rather fall forward into the bunker on his follow-through than fall back and really hit too far behind (over 2 inches) or blade it. I've told people I'll hit pitches with my right foot banked - same idea here, basically.

Agree, for whatever reason he wanted to make sure nothing would be moving back.

[Stretch]

Some quite interesting stats and analysis here:

[Jakester23]

Good video stretch it looks like the 20-60 yard shots are similarly to the method Mike posted towards the end of last year. Where the chip is more of a putting motion.

[freedrop]

According Phil Mickelson and Trevino pitching lessons the OP quickie chipping video  is wrong...the left wrist is breaking down and in a flipped position through the impact position....it should be flat.

[David in FL]

Good video stretch it looks like the 20-60 yard shots are similarly to the method Mike posted towards the end of last year. Where the chip is more of a putting motion.

And 60-100 is much more a sawed-off version of the full swing, without the wrist hinge/release (paintbrush).  FWIW, 50 yards is about where I begin to "pitch" the ball.

[Jakester23]

Freedrop what phil says and does are not one and the same.

[Jakester23]

Dave I wrote that wrong I ment from 20 and in is like Mike's chipping method the 20-60 is a lot like the quickie pitching technique. I agree that imho pitch shots up to 50 but beyond that I feel like I'm starting to get my hit instinct involved.

[freedrop]

Freedrop what phil says and does are not one and the same.

Jakester,whether chipping or pitching,I don't believe the left wrist can go into a flip position...it must be held  flat and firm .

[Stretch]

Jakester,whether chipping or pitching,I don't believe the left wrist can go into a flip position...it must be held  flat and firm .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4DevROGzXM

For a lot of pitch shots the club head must overtake, which means the left wrist must break down.

[iacas]

Jakester,whether chipping or pitching,I don't believe the left wrist can go into a flip position...it must be held  flat and firm .

That video shows chipping. We'd agree entirely with that idea when it comes to chipping.

This thread is about pitching, and I'll point out that in the video of myself hitting pitches, the shaft lines up with the lead arm pretty well: .

Look at 3:15 or so in that video: despite hitting a pitch, the shaft lines up with the lead shoulder pretty well.

[David in FL]

Jakester,whether chipping or pitching,I don't believe the left wrist can go into a flip position...it must be held  flat and firm .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4DevROGzXM

Note that Phil is talking specifically about chipping , and the OP is about pitching .  Two distinctly different shots, but even so, there are more similarities here than you're seeing.

I think you need to look at the video in the OP again.  Note where the hands are at impact.....particularly note the left wrist.  It's flat at impact......it's not "flipping" through and the hands certainly aren't "stopping at the ball" .  The hinge is allowing speed to develop where it would ordinarily not due to the shorter distance (relative to a longer, 60-100 yd shot).  That speed will generate spin, allow you to make proper use of the bounce of the club and will prevent digging or sculling.  Without that speed, either can result.

[freedrop]

I really have never seen a pitching instruction that suggests wrist breakdown is alright,just the opposite.The speed required comes from allowing the body to turn through.Any wrist breakdown means tricky timing and inconsistent strikes (fat & thin).A cupped wrist after impact indicates the wrist was in the process of breaking down as it approached impact.

[Jakester23]

Freedrop did watch the video on the 1st page of this thread?

[freedrop]

Freedrop did watch the video on the 1st page of this thread?

yes ,Jakester,the first video with the two guys working on the pitch.