PITCHING FUNDAMENTALS

PurePoint Golf Pitching Fundamentals

Part OneDefinition of Pitching

Part TwoClub Selection

Part ThreeThe Setup: Ball Centered or Slightly Forward in Stance

Part FourThe Setup: 70% of Weight on Left Side

Part FiveThe Setup: Handle Across from Belt Buckle

Part SixThe Backswing: Arms Only

Part SevenThe Backswing: 8 OClock / 9 OClock / 11 OClock

Part EightThe Downswing: Chop the Ball with Leading Edge

Part NineThe Follow-Through: Low Follow-Through

Part TenThe Finish: Turn the Left Hip Through in Downswing

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Part OneDefinition of Pitching

During a round of golf you might encounter a short shot going up to the green. There may be a knoll, a bunker edge, a pond, or high rough between you and the green. Or maybe theres a tight pin posi-tion. When you are faced with situations like these you will have to hit a shot that has a high trajectory and lands softlya pitch shot.

The definition of a pitch shot is a shot that has maximum air time and minimum roll on its way to the hole. The defining ratio of a pitch shot is 2/3 air time and 1/3 roll. In an ideal pitch shot, the golf ball will fly 2/3 of the distance to the hole, and once it hits the putting surface it will roll the remaining distance to the cup. In contrast, the definition of a chip shot is a shot that has 1/3 air time and 2/3 roll on its way to the hole.

The ability to pitch a golf ball with a soft landing and accurate distance is one of golfs more difficult shots. There are two key elements needed to execute this sometimes elusive shot:

trajectory backspin

In order to pull off a consistent pitch shot and give the golf ball accurate trajectory and just enough backspin, you will need to learn the proper pitch shot technique and use lofted clubs.

The method outlined here will help you develop the correct setup, swing, and finish for a pitch shot. Practicing this technique will give you more consistency and confidence in your pitch shots.

In addition to the different amount of air time and roll, another difference between a pitch shot and a chip shot is the clubs used for each. A chip shot is played with a 5, 7, or 9 iron. The flatter faces of these clubs keep the ball low to the ground and allow the chip shot to roll farther. Pitch shots are hit with loftier clubs to give the ball the 2/3 air time that is needed. A pitch shot can be played with four different clubs:

pitching wedge gap wedge sand wedge lob wedge

The pitching clubs, with their differing lofts, combined with the three different pitch shot backswings will give you a variety of pitch shots that will help you in every green-side situation.

Many golfers feel some anxiety about their pitching abilities. A pitch shot, even under perfect con-ditions, calls for finesse some golfers feel they dont have. If the golf ball is sitting up, it makes the execution of the shot much easier. But more likely, the golf ball is either sitting down in deep rough or on hardpan. It becomes very difficult to hit the ball with correct trajectory and distance on either of these lies. However, if you practice the technique we discuss here, you can learn to become a profi-cient pitcher of the golf ball, no matter your lie or handicap.

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Part TwoClub Selection

Most golf club sets come with a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. The lob and gap wedges have be-come very popular in the past 20 years. The gap wedge fills in the space between the pitching wedge and sand wedge. The lob wedge has more loft and less bounce than the sand wedge. Today, many golfers carry all four wedges. They come in handy more than you might think.

The loft of a wedge is measured in degrees, according to the angle of the clubface. Wedges made today have the degrees of loft indicated on the bottom of the clubhead. Older wedges may not note the loft. You need to find out the lofts of your wedges because there is a chance that if you own three wedges, you could potentially have three wedges with the same amount of loft. Check with local golf courses and golf shops to see if they have a lie and loft machine. If not, you can ship your wedges to someone who can bend them to the loft you want.

The lob wedge will be the most lofted pitching club in your bag, and the pitching wedge will be the least lofted. The four wedges used for pitch shots generally have the following lofts:

pitching wedge48 gap wedge52 sand wedge56 lob wedge60

The four-degree increments correspond to the distance you can hit the ball with a full swing. The clubs should be about ten yards apart with a full swing, with the lesser-lofted clubs traveling farther than the clubs with more loft. On less than full swings, the clubs are closer in distance.

When you purchase new wedges, you need to consider the material the wedges are made from and how the wedges are made. The manufacturing process and materials can affect the impact between the clubhead and the golf ball, as well as the shot itself. There are two different ways wedges are made:

forged cast

A wedge that is forged is made of softer metal. If you are going to purchase a wedge, try and find a forged club, not cast. It is more difficult to stop a ball using a cast wedge.

Just as important as your club selection, the golf ball you use may make a huge difference when you are trying to hit a soft pitch shot around the green. But choosing the correct golf ball is a double-edged sword. A two-piece golf ball increases your distance off the tee and in your full shots, but it is very difficult to stop it on the green compared to a solid golf ball. You have to decide if distance is more important than accuracy in your short game.

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Part ThreeThe SetupBall Centered or Slightly Forward in Stance

The first step in a proper pitch shot setup is to correctly position the golf ball in your stance. Ball posi-tion affects the trajectory the golf ball will have after impact. To hit a pitch shot with proper trajectory and roll, the golf ball should be in the center of your stance, perhaps slightly forward of center.

The farther back the ball is in your stance, the lower the balls trajectory, giving it less backspin and more roll.

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Ball in Correct Position

Ball Too Far Back in Stance

The farther forward the ball is in your stance, the higher the balls trajectory, giving it more backspin and less roll.

The upside to playing the ball back in your stance is the ability to make ballturf contact. Contact is easier to make in this position because the clubhead is swinging down towards the golf ball. The far-ther forward you move the golf ball in your stance, the greater your risk of hitting the middle or top of the ball on the upswing. The result will be a low shot with flat trajectory.

By addressing the golf ball forward in your stance, the leading edge of the clubhead will swing down into the ground directly under the golf ball. As the leading edge of the clubhead makes contact with the ground and the bottom of the golf ball, the ball will climb up the clubface, which in turn lifts the ball in the air. This lifting motion impacts the trajectory and backspin of your pitch shot.

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Ball Too Forward in Stance

Clubhead at Bottom of Arc

If you are struggling with pitching the golf ball, repositioning the ball in your stance can play a ma-jor role in getting you back on track. Centering the ball in your stance will allow you to make proper contact and see instant results. Keep in mind that moving the ball forward in your stance will allow the golf ball to go up with more trajectory, however, it makes the shot a bit more risky.

It can be difficult to see if the golf ball is in the correct position when you are addressing it. One of the best ways to determine if the ball position is correct is to practice with three straight edges.

The top line (straight edge) should point towards the intended line you want the ball to travel on.The bottom line (straight edge) should aim parallel to the top line. It will help you align your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders with the intended target line. After you address the golf ball lay the club in your hands across the clubs on the ground so it is perpendicular to the two straight edges and it touches the golf ball.

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Practice Drill to See Ball Position in Stance

Part FourThe Setup70% of Weight on Left Side

After you have addressed the golf ball so it is centered or slightly forward in your stance, you have to shift 70% of your weight over to your left leg.

When you move 70% of your weight to your left leg you are creating an angle for the backswing. Because of this weight distribution, the clubhead has to swing back and up.

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70% of Weight on Left Leg

Club Starting to Swing Up Weight Staying on Left Side Throughout Backswing

This angle in the backswing is ideal because it puts the clubhead in the perfect position for the down-swing. The clubhead will be able to swing down into the ground, properly striking the golf ball.

Sliding your weight to the right side during the backswing will cause the clubhead to swing back low to the ground.

If the clubhead swings back low to the ground, you will not be able to swing the clubhead back down into the ground in the downswing. When you dont swing down on the golf ball, the clubhead will strike the top or the middle of the ball, but it will never find the bottom of the ball.

Keeping 70% of your weight on your left side is crucial to a proper pitch shot. You want to have the feeling that you are standing on your left foot. If you continue to struggle with this aspect of the setup, I have a great drill for you. Find a downhill slope of about 10 to 20 degrees. When you address the golf ball from this position you will automatically place 70% of your weight on your left side. This will teach you what 70% of your weight on your left side feels like.

If you have never placed this much weight on your left side, it might feel awkward for the first couple hundred practice shots. After that it will become second nature. Once you understand the feeling of keeping 70% of your weight on your left side, you will be able to correct yourself immediately if you start struggling with topping or hitting the ground behind the ball. Shifting, and keeping, 70% of your weight on your left side is an instant fix.

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Club Swinging Back Too Low, Not Up

Part FiveThe SetupHandle Across from Belt Buckle

We have reached the final step in creating the proper setup position before you start the backswing. Because you have placed the majority of your weight on your left side, you have to move the handle of the club forward so it is aligned with your belt buckle. You cannot leave the handle of the golf club even with the clubhead.

When you move the handle over to align with the belt buckle you are taking loft off of the clubhead. Do not panic. You are only taking three or four degrees off. You can always change clubs if you think the club will not have enough loft for the shot after you move the handle forward. You can use a gap wedge instead of a pitching wedge, a sand wedge instead of a gap wedge, or a lob wedge instead of a sand wedge.

Once you have addressed the golf ball you will be able to tell if you de-lofted the clubface too much.

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Handle Ahead of Clubhead

Clubface De-lofted Too Much

De-lofting too much can lead to two problems.

The clubface will not have enough loft to give the ball the correct trajectory for the shot.The leading edge of the clubhead will dig into the ground too much on the downswing, leading to a fat pitch shot.

When you move 70% of your weight onto your left leg you only have to move the club handle a few inches to match up with your belt buckle.

With the golf ball positioned somewhere between the center of your stance and your left heel, 70% of your weight on your left side, and the handle of the golf club across from your belt buckle, it is time to swing the golf club.

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Part SixThe BackswingArms Only

Your body is now in the perfect setup position for the club, hands, and arms to move away from the golf ball. It is time to start the backswing.

As the golf club begins to move away from the golf ball, the clubhead must swing back on a slight arc.

It is very important to make sure you swing the clubhead back on the correct arc path. By swing-ing the clubhead back on the correct arc, the right shoulder will have the correct amount of tilt in the backswing, which will enable the golf club to swing up.

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Clubhead Swinging Back on Slight Arc

Clubhead Swings Up

You want the golf club to go up so it will come back down. You know the old adagewhat doesnt go up, wont come down. The clubhead swinging up on the correct arc allows for two crucial steps of the downswing to take place.

The clubhead will swing back down on an angle that allows the leading edge of the clubhead to make contact with the bottom of the golf ball and the ground at the same time.Contact with the right amount of clubhead speed creates the impact that allows the golf ball to climb up the clubface, going up in the air with the correct amount of loft and backspin.

If the clubhead swings too far inside on the backswing, the right shoulder will turn too much in the backswing.

If the clubhead swings too far outside in the backswing, the right shoulder will tilt up too much.

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Club Swinging Too Much Inside

Right Shoulder Tilting Up in Backswing

When the backswing begins you have 70% of your weight on your left leg. During the backswing it is profoundly important that 70% of your weight remains on your left leg and that it never moves back towards the right side.

If the weight slides to the right side in the backswing, the clubhead will never swing up, which means you will not be able to create the steep downswing needed to make proper contact with the golf ball.

The sliding motion makes the clubhead stay low to the ground in the backswing. Remember what does not go up wont come down. If the clubhead does not swing up:

the clubhead will travel too level to the ground to create the angle needed for proper impact, andthe leading edge will not be able to find the bottom of the golf ball

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Weight on Left Side Weight Stays on Left Side

Weight Sliding in Backswing

The impact resulting from this low backswing will resemble more of a putting swing, with the leading edge striking the middle of the golf ball and the ball not getting airborne.

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Leading Edge Striking Middle of Ball

Part SevenThe Backswing8 OClock / 9 OClock / 11 O Clock

When you chip a golf ball you use the same swing for every shot. To control distance, you choose one of three different clubs.

For a pitch shot, you can choose from three different backswings and four different pitching clubs to control how far you want the shot to travel. With three different backswings and four wedges, you now have twelve very different pitch shots.

I know what some of you are sayingI just want one or two short shots I can trust. In order to improve your short game, you have to have more than one or two pitch shots in your bag. The golf courses today are more demanding around the green, and you need pitch shots that run as well as pitch shots that have more loft and less roll. Once you get the method down you can easily apply it to all of your wedges and have a powerful short game arsenal that consists of more than a few shots.

Lets introduce the three different backswings:

8 oclock position 9 oclock position 11 oclock position

For short pitch shots, you only have to take the club back to the 8 oclock position. The 8 oclock position is reached when the shaft is not yet parallel to the ground.

The 8 oclock backswing is good for those tiny pitches where the hole is tucked close to the fringe. Or sometimes you will find yourself behind a steep green and you have to make a delicate pitch shot down the hill to the hole. This is another situation that is perfect for an 8 oclock backswing.

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8 OClock Position

The top of the 9 oclock backswing is reached when the shaft has swung back parallel to the ground.

When you are faced with pitch shots around the green where you need more distance or height, you will have to swing the golf club back a bit farther to the 9 oclock position. This backswing will give you more distance, loft, and backspin compared to the 8 oclock backswing. Use the 9 oclock back-swing if you have to fly the ball over a bunker, a steep slope, or deep rough.

Lastly, you can swing back to the 11 oclock position.

The 11 oclock backswing is useful if you have to pitch the ball farther with maximum height and backspin.

Once you understand and can perform these backswings, there is no more grey area around the green. If you want to improve your short game and give yourself a chance of getting the golf ball on the green safely and next to the hole every time, become comfortable with all three backswings.

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9 OClock Position

11 OClock Position

Part EightThe DownswingChop the Ball with the Leading Edge

If the golf club arrives at the top of the backswing in the correct position, it will be much easier to swing the clubhead back down into the back of the golf ball. The only possible way for this impact to take place is for you to have the correct setup, proper backswing, and proper angle in the downswing.

The angle of the downswing has to be relatively steep. The steeper the angle of the downswing, the easier it is for the leading edge of the clubhead to make contact with the turf. As the clubhead reaches the bottom of the swing arc, the leading edge slides under the golf ball, cutting into the turf, and the clubface makes contact with the golf ball simultaneously.

Your downswing is a whole lot easier when you can get into the correct position at the top of the backswing. The 8 oclock and 9 oclock backswings are easier to execute than the 11 oclock back-swing. Golfers have two bad tendencies when it comes to the downswing of a pitch shot.

The longer the backswing, the more we want to help the golf ball get into the air with our downswing.The more loft the golf club has, the more we feel we have to lift up in the downswing to get the correct amount of loft on the ball.

Swinging the golf club too far inside during the backswing will not permit the golf club to swing up enough. The swing arc will be too shallow when the clubhead returns to the bottom, causing the lead-ing edge to strike the center or top of the golf ball.

On the other hand, if you swing the golf club too far outside in the backswing, the golf club will swing up too much. When the clubhead returns to the bottom of the swing arc it will be too steep at impact, causing the clubhead to dig into the turf too much or to hit the top of the golf ball.

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Clubface Makes Contact with Ball and Turf

During setup, the ball position, weight distribution, and handle position play a huge role in swinging the golf club back on the correct path, which in turn will ensure the clubhead swinging back down on the correct path with the correct angle.

If your weight moves back with the golf club as the clubhead swings away from the golf ball, the clubhead will not swing up enough, and you will not have a steep angle in the downswing. This is a common mistake for higher-handicap golfers. Train yourself to keep 70% of your weight on your left side during the backswing and youve won half the battle.

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Part NineThe Follow-ThroughLow Follow-Through

After the leading edge of the golf club impacts the golf ball and turf there are three possible outcomes.

The clubhead comes out of the turf on a low plane The clubhead continues traveling into the turf The clubhead comes up and out of the turf quickly

The ideal outcome is for the leading edge of the clubhead to travel on a line towards the target on a low plane.

If you swing the golf club on the correct arc in the backswing and downswing, the leading edge will enter the turf under the golf ball and glide through the turf and come out of the ground a few inches in front of where it entered.

This part of the swing is crucial. As the leading edge is cutting its way through the turf it has to even-tually come out of the ground and start to swing up. This is where your shot can fall apart. The leading edge must come out of the ground on a low plane. After impact with the golf ball the clubhead must continue cutting through the turf and following through low to the ground.

With a swing that is too steep, the leading edge will continue to swing farther down into the turf, resulting in a fat shot. When a shot is hit fat, there will be a layer of turf between the clubface and the golf ball that acts as a cushion.

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Clubhead Coming Out of Turf on Low Plane

With the turf between the clubface and ball, the shot will not be solid. The impact will be weak, and the ball will come up short every time.

If the clubhead comes out of the ground too fast and swinging up too much, you will wind up scoop-ing the ball. The bottom of the arc has to be long and shallow after impact. It cannot be a short arc. Swinging the clubhead up quickly after impact will cause a thin or topped pitch shot.

A proper follow-through requires that the clubhead come out of the turf and stay low all the way to the finish. But remember that everything is relative. The follow-through will be low and short for shorter pitches and low and longer for longer pitches. In both instances, the clubhead must stay low to the ground.

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Part TenThe FinishTurn the Left Hip Through in the Downswing

After impact the clubhead has to continue swinging. At the moment of impact, the left hip has to turn back behind you in order for the clubhead to come out of the ground.

If the lower half of your body does not turn out of the way, the clubhead will have a tendency to get stuck in the ground. If you turn the left hip out of the way too soon in the downswing, the clubhead will not reach the bottom of the swing arc. You will either top or scull the golf ball.

When you are faced with pitch shots around the green, most of the time you wont need strength to pull the shot off. Turning the left hip out of the way does not have to be associated with strength. The left hip turning out of the way plays two roles in the follow-through.

Turning the left hip out of the way makes sure the leading edge does not get stuck in the ground.Turning the left hip out of the way increases accuracy by allowing the clubface to stay square through impact and continue on around you on the swing arc, keeping the golf ball on target.

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Left Hip Turning Out of the Way

The left hip does not have to spin out of the way. It simply turns counterclockwise as the arms swing the golf club down into the turf. As the left hip is turning, the right heel slowly begins to come up off the ground.

When you have completed your finish from the 11 oclock backswing, the right heel should face the sky, the shoe laces of the right foot should face the target, your belt buckle should face the target, and your hands should be just above waist-high.

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Right Heel Begins to Lift Up

Belt Buckle on Target and Hands Waist-High