Pitching Fundamentals

In order to understand pitching fundamentals, it is important to understand the purpose and methodology of the pitch shot. To pitch the ball means basically flying the ball in the air farther than it rolls on the ground around the green. We pitch the ball usually from about 30 yards to about 10 feet off the green; this shot is usually hit with a sand or lob wedge depending on the shot at hand and its requirements. Feel for shot trajectory and how it affects distances upon landing are crucial for becoming a good pitcher of the golf ball.

There are only four keys to becoming a good pitcher: set-up, ball position, weight displacement, and hand position.

Pitching Fundamentals #1: Set-up

The set-up places the body in a manageable position by which the three other fundamentals can work in unison with one another; thus, producing the desired shot trajectory. When setting up to any pitch shot (in the beginning levels) it is understood that ALL three fundamentals MUST agree with one another, so the ball will act accordingly. By experimenting with the three "fundamentals," you can manufacture ANY shot trajectory you would ever need in a normal round of golf.

1) Outside of feet are equal with the shoulders

2) Body (feet, shoulders, hips) are all aligned slightly left of target

3) Clubface is square to target line, not open

Pitching Fundamentals #2: Ball Positions

The ball's position is placed in accordance to the desired trajectory for the upcoming shot. There are three "normal" positions. . .

1) Center of the Sternum

Allows the ball to stay 1/2 the time in the air and 1/2 the time on the ground. This is the most used position.

2) Left Side of the Sternum

Allows the ball to stay 2/3 the time in the air and 1/3 the time rolling on the ground. Used for a softer shot around the green.

3) Right Side of the Sternum

Allows the ball to stay in the air 1/3 of the time and on the ground 2/3 of the time. Used mainly for a back pin placement where a low trajectory, giving us a running shot, is needed.

Pitching Fundamentals #3: Weight Displacement

The displacement of your weight helps to exaggerate the ball position's effect on your shot's trajectory. By simply moving your weight back and forth, you can do wonders in controlling the ball. Ball Position and Weight Displacement are the two most altered fundamentals of the three.

1) Weight 50/50

Will produce YOUR normal trajectory- everyone's is different. Most commonly used with the center ball position.

2) Weight 60% Left

Produces a shot slightly lower than normal. Used to make the ball run on the ground longer- most often used with the ball on the right side of the sternum position.

3) Weight 60% Right

Produces a shot slightly higher than normal. Used to make the ball fly higher and softer around the green, normally used with the ball on the left side of the sternum.

Pitching Fundamentals #4: Hand Position

The positioning of your hands is the least alterable of the three fundamentals, but at higher ability levels it can make the difference in top-level competition. The normal hand position is used 60% of the time, but experiment, this one provides the most noticeable change in ballflight!

1) Normal

About 1-2 inches in front of the ball

2) Front

About 3-5 inches in front of the ball, used for a lower trajectory shot

3) Back

About 2-4 inches behind the ball, used seldom, but can give you a super high shot trajectory.
The secret to pitching is to allow your three "fundamentals" to agree with one another (at the beginning levels,) so you can get consistent trajectories time after time. THE CLUBHEAD MUST ALWAYS STAY LOW TO THE GROUND ON THE WAY THROUGH IMPACT AND BEYOND!!!! If it stays low then your hands will always lead the clubhead through impact!

Pitching Drills:

1) Long Club

Use the long club to show how the hands always lead the clubhead through impact, and how the clubhead must stay low to the ground post impact.

2) Long Club with Varying Ball Positions

Shows the three shot trajectories

3) Long Club with Varying Ball Positions and Weight

Shows the added effect of using two fundamentals

4) Penny Drill

Place a penny 2 inches in front of the ball, hit the ball and penny, this keeps the clubhead low to the ground.

Tom F. Stickney is a contributing author at golf-short-game-guide.com and is the director of instruction at Tom Stickney Golf ( www.tomstickneygolf.com ). Tom has published over 100 Articles in publications such as Golf Digest, Japan Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Senior Golfer Magazine, Golf Illustrated, Golf Tips, Golf for Women, Executive Golfer, Mid-South Golfer, Southern Golfer Magazine, and Colorado Golfer Magazine. He is one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America and was recently ranked by Golf Digest as one of the Top 20 Instructors Under 40.

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