Pitching can be a challenge, particularly for amateurs who carry four wedges and complicate the situation. I limit the number of clubs a student uses until they show a high level of competency hitting the basic pitch. Starting with a 54- or 56-degree wedge that has 12 to 14 degrees of bounce can accelerate the learning process.
Here’s what we work on:
CONTACT
As the club enters the impact area, the head should hit the ball first and then the ground in a minimal way, producing a shallow divot.
SETUP
Begin with a narrow base that’s slightly open to the target, with the ball in the center or slightly forward in your stance. This creates a slight forward lean of the shaft and a slightly open clubface. Put more pressure on your front leg and have your body feel level while mirroring the openness of your stance.
SWING
Start by going waist high on both sides. As the club moves back, your legs and shoulders will have a slight turn. Starting down, your arms and club should fall as the pressure stays on your forward leg. After impact, your body and club should rotate to face the target, with the grip pointing toward your belt line. Make sure the clubhead doesn’t outrace your hands and shaft prior to impact position.
DRILLS
Use turf paint or string to form a line on the ground. Set up as though you’re trying to hit a short to medium pitch. Make practice swings by hitting the line and brushing the grass in front of it. Once you feel confident in where the club strikes the ground, add a ball and repeat the process. Evaluate after each hit.
Place a 2-by-4 behind the ball and a tee in the ground about a foot in front of the board. Make practice swings that miss the board in both directions. The tee should come out of the ground, with contact just after the tee. When ready, replace the tee with a ball and repeat the exercise. Again, evaluate after each stroke.
Bryan Lebedevitch, PGA, is a master instructor at the PGA West Golf Academy in La Quinta. He can be reached at (760) 564-7144 or lebedevitch.com.
