Pitching doesn’t come naturally to many golfers because you are playing with a less than full swing. You also need to have a feel for distance, how far to hit the ball – and feel is an intuitive and inexact part of golf.

Many golfers only practice their full swing and neglect short game practice. Not practicing the pitch shot from 50 metres in means that it will be very difficult to execute this shot confidently on the golf course. A full swing is easier to master as it is a repetitive action for each club to make the ball go the maximum distance. But with a pitch shot you are not hitting the ball the maximum distance, So you must shorten the swing but still hit the ball firmly.

To pitch well you need to set up correctly and make a firm swing that accelerates the clubhead through the ball. You have to think in terms of a less than full backswing. One common error with this shot is taking the club too far back and decelerating through impact, which cases mis hits, 

You need to play the pitch shot with as little spin as possible because spin makes it harder to control the ball. Pitching the ball with control and finesse over a hazard and near to the pin is a very satisfying skill. 

Addressing the ball

Take a narrow stance, closer to the ball and open with your left foot behind the right. Open up 20 degrees so your left side is out of the way through the shot. Move your body weight onto the left foot and centre the weight forward onto the balls of the feet. Knees are flexed and the back bent over so the arms hang loosely from the upper body over the ball. The arms then can move freely without touching the upper body during the shot. 

Remember not to stand too tall, you need to have the upper body hanging over the ball. For consistent pitch shots you want good balance and good timing. Keep the knees bent. Move the weight back from the toes onto the balls of the feet. With flexed knees you can transfer the weight properly during the swing.

Firm wrist action

The best short game players use very little hand and wrist action. Try to overuse your hands and imagine them tied together on the club. Start the takeaway with your hands and arms as a unit moving together. Only when the right elbow starts to bend will the wrists hinge.

Try to keep the grip on the club light. It will help you with feel. Only firm enough to prevent the club from slipping in your hands. You will need a good body weight transfer to keep your wrists firm and prevent you from overusing the hands.

Proper weight transfer

Ideally, the lower body will move in time with the arms and hands. The lower body must move to keep the path of the club consistent through impact. Your hips and knees must be used in the swing. 

The weight, which starts on the left foot, transfers onto the right foot and back to the left foot during the swing in a rocking motion. The hit of the ball happens during the transfer of weight from the right foot to the left foot. Keep the clubface square through impact. The hips and elbows return to their original position as you hit through the ball, synchronising the motion of arms and lower body. 

Accelerate the clubhead

The pitch shot is a crisp hit – make sure that you accelerate the club through the impact zone. To do this make sure the swing is of equal length – swing the club back the same length as you swing it through. Clubhead speed comes from a proper weight transfer. It’s an underhanded motion with the right hand and arm through the impact zone. It’s the same movement as when you throw a ball underhand. 

Keep the right elbow tucked in

Keep the right elbow close to your body during the downswing. On the backswing because you are turning your shoulders the elbow will swing free but on the downswing the right elbow brushes across the hip coming into the ball. Visualise the shot as part of your pre shot routine see the spot where you want the ball to land on the green. You can walk up and survey your landing area on the green before you play your shot. 

Practising pitching

Pitch to different targets at different distances, starting with the shortest shot and ending with the longest. Vary the trajectory of the ball flight – try using a sand wedge and then work through the different wedges. Practice from poor lies to see how the ball flies out of the rough, so that when you’re out on the golf course you’ll be prepared for a variety of situations. Try playing different shots with your 9-iron and play a variety of different pitches with the same club. Try pitching over bunkers and over water hazards to increase your repertoire of shot making skills which will help lower your score.