Golf Training Aids - Pitching

Pitching is one of the main elements to golf's short game, and just as we did in our chipping article, we'll be giving you a golf training aid or two to help you along. We'll also be talking about different wedges, and how to determine which wedge to use for a specific shot.

How do you determine when you need to make a pitch? This is a shot for when you're close to the green, but not as close as you'd be for a chip shot. Typically you'd pitch if you need to lift the ball over an obstruction or if the hole is so close to the edge of the green that there is little room to roll the ball. Another case may be on a sloped green where a roll may take the ball right off the green. This shot's distance should be measured in yards, somewhere in the range of about 40 yards to a little over 100.

When you make a pitch shot you're looking at lofting the ball higher than you would with a chip, and as a result, your airborne distance will be greater than the roll distance. This shot is typically made with a wedge. Many people think that in order to pitch, they should use a pitching wedge. Some will even say that using a sand wedge outside of a bunker or the rough is cheating. Not so. A skilled player will use the right club for the situation.

Which wedge should you use? Here's an aid to help you figure that out. There are four main types of wedges. Most professionals carry at least three, sometimes four, different wedges.
  • Pitching wedges typically have a loft between 44 and 50 degrees, although most pitching wedges manufactured after 1990 are between 45 and 47 degrees.
  • Sand wedges have a loft of between 54 and 58 degrees, meaning the lift will be higher and shorter with less ball roll after impact. Sand wedges also have a higher degree of roundness on the sole of the club to help the club pass through grass and sand more easily. (This is called bounce.)
  • A gap wedge, also called an attack wedge, has a loft between 48 and 52 degrees.
  • Lob wedges have a very high loft, beginning at 58 degrees. These are used for unusual circumstances requiring a very high loft and a short distance.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing which club to use:
  • How far is the shot in order to land on the green?
  • How high are any obstacles?
  • How much wind is there?
  • What is the lie of the green? Is it sloped? If so, in which way? Should you be aiming for someplace other than the hole?
  • How close to the edge of the green is the hole? If it's a short distance, is it closer to your side of the green?
  • What is the lie of the ball? Is it smooth or rough, or in a depression?
  • Is the ground wet or overly dry? Wet ground tends to grab and slow a ball, while dry ground does the opposite.
Here are those golf training aids we mentioned:

Golf Training Aid 1: Ball String

Take 18 balls. Starting about 35-40 yards from the flag, drop a ball every five yards in a line away from the flag until you run out of balls. If you have something to mark your balls (preferably something that will wash off) you can also mark them with dots, 1 dot for the first, 2 for the second, and so forth.

Starting with the shortest shot and armed with all of your wedges, work your way down the line with your first wedge, adjusting your stance as needed for each shot. Note where each ball falls, and at what point you begin to lose accuracy.

As you get further out with your lob and sand wedges you'll find that you need to put more effort into each shot without gaining any distance; at the same time you'll probably also begin to see a loss of control. This is a clear indicator that you've passed the point of usefulness for the wedge. Note the point at which the shot becomes harder; now subtract 10 or 15 yards. You probably want to avoid the use of that wedge at distances longer than that.

This practice exercise will give you a good idea of the distance at which each wedge is the most powerful. It can also help you discover the benefits and become comfortable using each wedge at different distances.

Golf Training Aid 2: One for Three (or Four)

Take a dozen balls. Hit each ball one-by-one with your pitching wedge. Use the same swing each time. Then take another 12 balls and using the exact same swing, hit them with your gap wedge. Then do the same with a sand wedge. If you have a lob wedge, repeat this again using that wedge.

Observe the height of each shot and carefully note the distances for each cluster of balls.

This exercise will tell you which wedge to use for each distance and height needed without any adjustments. Practice until you know exactly which wedge to use for a certain distance.

Now, try this identical exercise with each wedge, making the following changes: (ol>
  • Adjust your position with respect to the ball: (ol>
  • Line the ball up with the insole of your left foot.
  • Line the ball up with the insole of your right foot


    • These adjustments will affect the trajectory and the amount of backspin.
  • Adjust the length of your swing to shorter and longer distances. This will vary the distance of each shot.
    • Remember, there are many circumstances where you'll need to vary your style to fit the lie of the ball, the obstacles, the lay of the green, the wind, and even your situation with the game as opposed to other players. Having a skilled and varied pitch shot at your disposal will help you often.

     

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