What is pitching really?

Sorry not sure if this is a weird question. But I just suddenly wondered what is really considered pitching?

My distances :
SW : 60 yds
PW : 100yds

So for me, is 60-100yds the distances where I am considered to be pitching?

I don't think there is a strict definition of pitching, but here is one I think is pretty accurate:

"A short shot (typically from within 50 yards), usually played with a higher lofted club and made using a less than full swing, that is intended to flight the ball towards a target (usually the hole) with greater accuracy than a full iron shot."

Thanks Peter that's exactly what I'm trying to figure out .. So I'm really curious if the below are considered pitching (or not) - bearing in mind that for me full swing is 100yd PW and 60yd SW...

100yd using PW full swing
80yd using PW half swing
60yd using SW full swing
40yd using SW half swing

And if I am getting 60yd with the SW full swing, it would not make sense to use the PW and swing a less-than-half swing to hit 60yds, would it?

I think you are being way too analytical about this. Why does it matter to you what you call a shot? If you feel better hitting a half swing PW and have better results compared to a full swing SW, then hit a half swing PW, no matter what it is called.

Heh no worries, just curious

I would tend to go for a full swing first because I know how far the ball will go, as supposed to a 'controlled' swing where it would be dependent on how well I manage to control at that particular instance.

FWIW, I consider a pitch to be any less-than-full-swing shot that flies the ball. Conversely, a chip gets the ball on the ground in a hurry, and runs it up.

In your scenario, Simon, you've seen that you have options. Pitch with the PW, or full swing the SW. A lot of links-style courses, you may even choose to chip it up from the same position.

I'm increasingly finding myself chipping from anything up to 50 yards out when theres no trouble between myself and the flag. Maybe its a scottish thing but I tend to think that theres a lot less risk in say a 30-50 yard chip/bump and run with a 7i than a lofted wedge esp if like me, youre not expert at sticking a world of backspin and check on the pitches. I actually proved this to myself a while back where from a 40-50 yd distance I took 30 pitches with PW/SW/LW and 30 chips with a 7i. I found 80% of the chips finished on the green compared to only 50% of the pitches. I tend to find personally its far easier to judge the length of a chip then the swing needed to get the exact pitch (maybe just experience) but then you also have wind, side spin, roll on landing etc to consider

Whatever, its good to have both approcahes in your armour so you can decide on the day

I agree, pnearn - it's good to have both.

That said, I'm a flyer all the way. When I go to chip, I usually open a bag of nachos first, 'cause I know there's some chili dip coming.

Thanks guys all your replies were very helpful. I guess the reason why I'm suddenly bringing this up is because I've only recently been able to dial in my distances, and suddenly I'm wondering if given certain scenarios, how would I choose to approach them.

For example I played a hole where I'm about 60 yds short and there's a bunker right in front of the green. At that time I would not have been comfortable taking out my SW, but if I were to play the same hole today, I would be pretty confident that I could hit over the bunker and right onto the green.

I haven't had much chance to play on the course recently, so I find myself running scenarios in my mind meanwhile

Anyway, good point guys. I am comfortable with the idea that pitching is a lofted less-than-full swing to control desired distance

There is a distinct difference between chipping and pitching.
Pick up a golf club. Now look at the grip, this is the amount of "roll" a pitch shot has, next take a look at the shaft, this is the amount of "air time" the ball has. A pitch shot has maximum distance and minimum roll. It is generally used inside ninety yards. Look at the same golf club. The grip is the amount of air time the ball has when chipping. The shaft is the amount of roll the ball has when chipping. Minimum air and maximum roll.

The difference betwen a pitch and a chip is: A pitch shot is a two lever swing. By two levers I mean the left arm, and the shaft create two levers. The second hinge happens when the club hinges thus creating an L. The long part of the L is the arm, and the bottom part of the L is the club. NOtice the letter it forms. A chip is a one lever swing. The club never goes halfway back, thus creating a second lever. The left arm and shaft form a straight line and this remains constant through out a chip. When chipping you can picture the letter Y. The two diagonal lines are the arms, and the straight part of the Y is the club.

__________________
Jordy Scerbo
Golf Instructor