How to Improve a Pitch Shot

The pitch shot serves as a vital component for every golfer's short game. Stellar pitch shots include the proper address, swinging, impact and follow through. While a strong long game is vital to low scores, good pitch shots prove equally important in getting your ball close enough to sink an easy putt. Like most sports strategies, improving your pitch shot largely comes down to practice, but using proper technique helps you get the most out of yours.

Things You'll Need

  • Golf clubs
  • Golf balls
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Instructions

  1. Technique

    • 1

      Place your feet shoulder width apart and lean most of your weight onto your leading foot with the ball positioned between your heals. Holding your wedge to the ball, adjust your hand positioning so your hands are slightly in front of the ball. Keep your arms straight out and relaxed, yet firm, forming a triangle between your arms and shoulders.

    • 2

      Point your feet slightly toward the green and square your shoulders toward your target. Slightly bend your knees and bend your waist while keeping your back straight. For reference, consider watching an experienced pitch shooter's address.

    • 3

      Go into your backswing by turning your arms and shoulders so they remain in the triangle shape you created during the address. Keep your weight forward and pull the club back using a turning motion, not a sliding motion. Stop the swing with the club about parallel to the grass, with your hands just below your waist.

    • 4

      Hold the club outward slightly, putting the head on the target line, not your hands. The face of the club is pointed outward.

    • 5

      Turn your hips toward your desired target when starting your down swing. Follow your hips by bringing your arms down while keeping your weight on your leading foot. When making impact with the ball, you are reentering the exact position you created in the address.

    • 6

      Follow the shot through by continuing to move your hips and arms in the manner you began with your downswing. With your arms fully extended after impact, your stomach should be facing your target.

    Improving

    • 7

      Experiment with changing the position of your hands in relation to the ball during your address. Placing your hands behind the ball should give you a higher shot, while placing them further forward gives you a lower shot.

    • 8

      Get the timing and fluidity of your swing down. Consider practicing the swing without a golf ball to improve these crucial aspects of the pitch shot.

    • 9

      Set your weight distribution during the address and keep that distribution throughout the entire shot; you should not adjust your weight during the shot. Pay close attention to the feel and motions of the shot when you get it down, honing your movements with practice.

    • 10

      Learn your clubs well so you use the correct wedge for each pitch shot. Experiment with different wedges if you're having trouble finding the right one for your particular shot.

    • 11

      Visualize the shot before taking it. Keeping this mental image in your brain tells your body to follow suit. Shoot with confidence; don't second guess your shot halfway through.