Pitch Shot Routine

I have a pitch shot that I have been using that has really helped my game but I haven't been able to execute it very well the last couple of times out.

I am right handed. With a narrow open stance, ball in center of stance, weight on left side, I simply turn and cock the wrists and fold the right arm to get the club back in position. No weight shift or body turn. I then try to start the forward swing by turning my belt buckle towards the target. The key is to start the swing with the body and have the belt buckle fully facing the target in the follow through. I think I have been failing fully turning the body and was considering opening my shoulders a bit to match my open stance rather than keeping the shoulders square to the target line. This shot when executed properly gives me a high trajectory and soft landing.

I would appreciate any thoughts.

hi
if its only a half pitch shot i like to play like its very long putt and i feel that works really well with what ever club you want to use say from a 5 iron down to a wedge or s/wedge. i try and put the ball as close as i can to me but on the green and then judge what club will give me that run from that point to the flag.
cheers
bill

I use this on a shot where I have an elevated green, have to go over a bunker or similar obstruction or otherwise need a soft landing (My trouble is the landings haven't been so soft lately or on line). I do use the shot you suggest when I have green with which to work or the approach is flat.

hi
one other shot i play is to open my stance and aim a good 10 feet to the left and aim my wedge, s/wedge about 5 feet left but i swing on the line 10 feet to the left. i find the ball fly high but lands so soft and stops almost dead, the ball don't turn in the air with this shot but has lots off side spin and great when you cant hit the ball hard and get back spin.
it a bit like how you open the face on a bunker shot but works if you use your putting swing and great for playing over a bunker and stopping it dead when you cant hit the ball to hard.
cheers
bill

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If I want a high pitch or chip that lands and stops then I take a narrow open stance, use a lob wedge or sand iron, weight mainly on front leg, trail knee turned in a little, I hold the shaft straight up and down so that the full loft is exposed to the ball (hands forward of ball will deloft and make the ball fly lower) take the club back and through under the ball with an easy tempo and fairly high finish. It works best where the ball is sat up a little in a fluffy lie so the club can get under the ball.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

You mention that you have 'no weight shift or body turn'. With this type of shot leaving the weight on the left hand side is fine. However, without a body turn you are going to start using your arms - this will lead to lot of inconsitency.

I would suggest that shoulder turn back and shoulder turn forward (with the arms almost coming along 'for the ride) will lead to much more consistency in ball striking and more importantly distance control.

There may be a slight shoulder turn back but not very much. All of the turn is on the forward swing to try and accelerate through the ball. The forward turn is to be controlled by a body turn. In fact, when I went out to practice this weekend, the idea of no shoulder turn to the rear was reinforced. What I did differently was to immediately hinge and turn the wrists back which seemed to get me more lag and time to get my body turned forward and get the hands through before the clubhead. I made much better contact. For longer shots, in addition to the wrist hinge, I just folded the right arm again with very little shoulder turn to the rear. One of the main instructions for this method is getting the belt buckle pointing to the target at the finish therefore promoting acceleration to the finish.

for a softer landing try more weight on your back foot.
Its obviously easier to do with a fluffy lie, but you gotta stay down and be committed to the shot, otherwise its daisy cutter time.