How you stopped hitting pitch shots fat

[hawky]

Hi guys, I'm a high handicapper. I hit around 50% of fairways in a round (not always very far!) and about 1-3 GIR, and average 2 putts per hole. I think these stats are slightly inflated as I tend to play the easier courses. Anyway I've noticed that I'm losing a lot of shots when I hit my pitches fat, have any of you guys got any drills or tips that helped you or someone you know stop hitting fats?

[mvmac]

Hitting it fat probably because the weight is too far back.  Here's a really great video to check out.  Turn the left foot out, have the weight forward and keep it there as you swing the clubhead.  For more check out the video

http://thesandtrap.com/t/39411/quickie-pitching-video

[hawky]

Thanks for the information, I'll have to put these into practice the next time I play.

[inthehole]

slow down, minimize backswing, make solid contact.   Only when you are hitting it solid, ramp it up & gradually get to your full swing.

[jbest]

I stopped hitting fat when I stopped casting...

[mvmac]

slow down, minimize backswing, make solid contact.   Only when you are hitting it solid, ramp it up & gradually get to your full swing.

Actually for pitch shots it's good to allow for a "longer" backswing.  Hands don't go back very far but the club head will (video below).  Gotta create some speed.  Short backswings will create some impact conditions where the leading edge gets stuck in the ground.

I stopped hitting fat when I stopped casting...

You can cast and hit good pitch shots.  If by cast you mean not creating a lot of "lag" at impact.  You don't want to have much shaft lean at impact.

[guiseppe]

When I am hitting it fat, its virtually always one of two things:  1) weight back; or, 2)  a too early release of the club (and its usually weight back).

[Slice of Life]

For me, as Mike said...it was a matter of getting my weight forward. After working with Erik on shortening my backswing and moving my weight forward, my "fat" shots now fall 15 yards short instead of 100.

[Kieran123]

Worked on not swaying. ie. moving off the ball.

Still hit it fat every so often though

[Strandly]

When I hit fat shots it's usually because I'm too low to the ground (too wide of stance or too much knee bend) and the club bottoms out at the ball.  Maybe try narrowing your stance a little bit and see what happens.  If it's happening mostly while you're using your wedges it could be the small club psyching you out and making you think you have to get extra low to the ground.

[dsc123]

For pitches, Erik's quickie pitching video changed my life.

[iacas]

I renamed the thread to include the word "pitches" as that's the topic. I think too many people are giving you advice on not hitting full swing shots fat.

I did so with post #2 and deleted it when I saw Mike's post and more carefully read the OP.

[JetFan1983]

Learn to use the bounce. It all grows from there.

[Mr. Desmond]

Weight forward and good hip "action."

Lag not needed.

[Wardy]

Hi guys,

I'm a high handicapper. I hit around 50% of fairways in a round (not always very far!) and about 1-3 GIR, and average 2 putts per hole. I think these stats are slightly inflated as I tend to play the easier courses. Anyway I've noticed that I'm losing a lot of shots when I hit my pitches fat, have any of you guys got any drills or tips that helped you or someone you know stop hitting fats?

I had this issue last year.

3 things I changed were:

- Starting more weight on front foot

- Changing swing path (was too upright which caused me to be too steep and hit behind the ball)

- Stopped overswing

hope that helps.

[PirateJim]

Embracing the concepts in Erik's pitching video did me a LOT of good.  But since nobody else has mentioned it yet I will toss out what others may think so obvious it doesn't warrant mention; watch your lie!  If you are using a lofted wedge and your ball is sitting up on fluffy stuff it is mighty easy to scoot the blade under the ball as you are trying to use the bounce.  In this case I usually try to adjust my swing accordingly, most times successfully, though I know I'm courting a thin shot.

[hawky]

Thanks for the information. By the sounds of it i need to bring my weight and ball more forward. Do you need to hold your wrist hinge angle through contact with the ball?

[lumpuckeroo]

Weight forward, hands even or ahead of the ball, and watch the club head hit the ball