Short Game · Lesson
Read the Situation Before You Pitch
Part of our short game programs for distance control. Build a program with it
A good pitch starts with a good read. Check the slope. If the ball is above your feet, grip down. Check the lie. On a tight, bare lie, keep turning through the ball so you clip it cleanly. Check what's in the way. A rolling shot is usually easier, but if trouble blocks the ground, fly it. Then pick a landing spot. Not the hole. A spot that uses the green you have.
Step by step
- Grip down if the ball is above your feet.
- On tight lies, keep turning through.
- Fly it if trouble blocks the ground.
- Pick a landing spot.
- Commit to the shot.
Why it works
Every pitch has a slope, a lie and a path to the green, and each one changes how the club meets the ball. When the ball is above your feet, the club sits closer to you, so gripping down keeps the length right and helps you strike the ball cleanly. On a tight lie there is little room for error, so you keep turning through to clip the ball first. Picking a landing spot gives you a target you can control, and the roll after landing does the rest.
Common mistakes
- You aim at the hole and ignore where the ball needs to land.Choose a landing spot on the green first, then judge how far the ball will roll from there.
- You stop turning on a tight lie and flick at the ball with your hands.Keep your chest turning toward the target through impact so the club brushes the ground after the ball.
- You keep your normal grip length when the ball is above your feet.Grip down on the handle until the club feels the right length for the ball's height.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts on your intended line and lands within a club length or two of your chosen spot.
- On tight lies you hear a clean click with no thin skull or heavy thud.
- Your chest faces the target at the finish, and you feel no stall in your turn.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice on a flat, good lie with a wide open green, and pick a large landing area like a towel.
Harder: Hit pitches from sloped, tight lies with a bunker or rough in front, and make yourself name your landing spot before every shot.
Common questions
How do I choose a landing spot for a pitch shot?
Look at the green between you and the hole and pick a flat area where the ball can land and then roll toward the hole. Choose a spot you can hit with a normal swing.
Why should I grip down when the ball is above my feet?
The ball is closer to your hands, so a shorter grip keeps the club from feeling too long. It helps you make clean contact and keep your balance.
