Pitching/Chipping From Hard Pan

[iacas]

1 hour ago, Darkfrog said:

I really struggle with short game shots off bare lies (dry/thin grass or dirt). I tend to either hit them thin or fat, and when contact is solid they always fly too far. 

Is there any technique difference to hitting these shots well, or is it just a matter of practicing off this type of turf?

 

[downbylaw11]

my only tips would be to get the weight forward to make sure i get ball first contact.  I find I strike the ball much cleaner when I play my pitches back in my stance rather than forward.  obviously limits the height I can get, but usually works out fine for most shots as long as you have the right touch. 

[Patch]

My first tip would be to find a hard pan area or similar, and practice that particular shot. Knowing what works, and doesn't work is knowledge.

Myself, since I use Paul Runyon's chip/putt method, I just use my normal chipping stroke on chips off hard pan, and/or bare areas. Since the club has little, or no contact with the turf or bare ground, there's no reason to change. I will even use this method on shorter pitch shots.

For longer pitches, I will grip down on my 7W and just sort of punch the ball where I need it. Obviously if I need extra height to carry over something, then I will use something similar to the videos in this thread. 

I devote practice time to all "horror" shots off bad lies. Makes it easier to handle them when they show up when playing for a score. . 

 

[Darkfrog]

16 hours ago, iacas said:

 

Hard pan was exactly what I was needed to search for but couldn’t recall the right vocabulary. 
 

Thanks @iacas for redirecting my OP. This technique looks very helpful. I use more of a putting type stroke for short game shots, so I’ve got something new to work on. I read about that type of shot in LSW but seeing the video really helps illustrate the technique.