Golf Basics for Beginners 2: Pitching

Pitching:

We were also introduced to pitching during the last meeting. Pitching refers to the short and high shots we hit with our pitching wedge (PW), lob wedge (L), or sand wedge (SW) from close around the green. This is not a full-swing shot.

Like the chip shot, we want to choke down on the club a little. Unlike the chip shot, we place the ball in the middle of our stance or a little forward of it (for higher shots), and we will allow the wrists to set on the backswing (so that the clubhead can go higher than our hands) and the same thing on the downswing so that we finish with the club pointing toward the pin or upward. The pitch shot is the first half of a full swing.

Swing drill:

You can practice your golf swing even if you don't live near a golf course! Here is a good swing drill you can practice in your living room using nothing but a golf club (you can use a long stick if you don't own a golf club, even!).

The key is to stand as if you are addressing a golf ball, pick a spot to stand in for the ball and keep your eyes on it until well into your follow-through. It is okay for the head to move a little from side to side, but you want to keep the spine angle you have at address through out the swing rotation. Turn your shoulders and hips and keep the rotation as fluid as possible finishing facing your target!