THE PITCH SHOT

The pitch shot is one of the greatest stroke savers in the game. It is a versatile shot to add to your repertoire, for it can be played as a low pitch-and-run, a high pitch, or lob shot, or just a regular pitch shot. Normally, it is played from distances under 100 yards. When learning this shot, it is best to practice hitting the regular pitch shot, for the others mentioned herein require considerably more finesse and experience before they can be executed properly. However, I will outline them for you so that you can work on them after you have mastered the regular pitch shot.

THE REGULAR PITCH. Address the ball in the manner that you would for a short-iron swing, except that you should take a little narrower stance. Position your feet so that they are about 12 inches apart with the ball slightly right of center and between your feet. The shaft of the club and your left arm should form a straight line from the clubhead to the left shoulder. An open stance is recommended for this shot. Your weight should favor the left side, while being centered back in through the left heel.

The clubhead is swung smoothly away from the ball, but quite upright through a turning action of the shoulders and an upward lifting of the arms and hands. The wrists are cocked almost immediately after the backswing has begun. At the top of the swing, the hands are about belt-high for a shot of about 50 yards. The weight has become centered over the ball as a result of the backswing turn, but the left heel remains solidly on the ground. Do not let the left heel come off the ground on the short pitch shots. This helps keep the weight on the left side even though there is a definite flexing of the knees and a slight hip and shoulder turn.

Remember, you are seeking accuracy, not distance, with the short shots.

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