Gauge your pitch shots

[BallMarker]

If you have trouble gauging the distance of your pitch shots, let me suggest something that has help me a lot.

Get your wedge out, like a 54 or 56. Address the ball with narrow stance, little narrower than your shoulders.

From this stance pitch the ball with a smooth solid stroke.

Measure how far the ball went...walk it off, a range finder would be better.

By doing this I now know I can hit a good solid pitch about 55-60 yards. On the course I use this as my point of reference when I need to stick a pitch close.

Just a suggestion.

Hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.

[kodewolf]

+1

I'd like to add that the landing area you are pitching at has quite some influence on the roll (and as a result your distance).

If you measure the distance of that pitch executed on the DR/fairway/green you'll notice that their are some different results you are getting.

[saevel25]

Well having a consistent technique helps. Inconsistent ball striking will kill the feel. Then you start adjusting for that and things go all crazy.

For me, I make my last look up at my landing spot. I have a bad habit of looking at the hole, and end up hitting the pitch shot too long. Then I'll start to adjust for this with my swing, and I end up hitting chunks and thin shots. So for me, last look at my landing spot helps a lot.

[Ernest Jones]

Well having a consistent technique helps. Inconsistent ball striking will kill the feel. Then you start adjusting for that and things go all crazy.

For me, I make my last look up at my landing spot. I have a bad habit of looking at the hole, and end up hitting the pitch shot too long. Then I'll start to adjust for this with my swing, and I end up hitting chunks and thin shots. So for me, last look at my landing spot helps a lot.

Agree. I always see the landing spot as my target.

[boogielicious]

Agree. I always see the landing spot as my target.

Me too.  I just hate when I hit my spot on the nose and the ball does not release like I want it too!

[BallMarker]

+1

I'd like to add that the landing area you are pitching at has quite some influence on the roll (and as a result your distance).

If you measure the distance of that pitch executed on the DR/fairway/green you'll notice that their are some different results you are getting.

That's why I measure where the ball lands....not the roll....because as you implied condition vary.

[Ernest Jones]

Me too.  I just hate when I hit my spot on the nose and the ball does not release like I want it too!:cry:

Yep. You want the ****er to stick, it rolls out 10'. You want it to release to the target, the mother ****er sticks. Total pisser!!! [quote name="BallMarker" url="/t/74113/gauge-your-pitch-shots/0_100#post_983378"]That's why I measure where the ball lands....not the roll....because as you implied condition vary. [/quote] Yeah, once it hits the ground it basically becomes a putt. I usually try to read the green from my landing point onwards just like it's a putt. Unfortunately, see above. :cry:

[Jakester23]

Yep. You want the ****er to stick, it rolls out 10'. You want it to release to the target, the mother ****er sticks. Total pisser!!! Yeah, once it hits the ground it basically becomes a putt. I usually try to read the green from my landing point onwards just like it's a putt. Unfortunately, see above. :cry:

If you have a nice practice green at your course you can kinda dial in the release. If I want the ball to roll setup with your hands forward of center. The more forward the more rollout. Same goes for less rollout. The more you lean the shaft back the quicker it stops. I try to pick a landing spot and I also try to visualize a trajectory and release. You will get it. If I can figure it out the technique is fool proof.