What do you do when you are out on the golf course and you have left yourself with a short pitch shot to the green?

Let’s make it even more interesting. You may be a short distance away, but you also have a sand bunker between where the ball lies and the green. Now the pressure is really on!

This is definitely not a full swing shot. But you want to fly the ball far enough to carry the bunker and land softly on the green. You are facing the dreaded half-swing shot. This is the shot that most amateur golfers never like to practice.

In order to execute a successful pitch shot, you need the proper fundamentals. Here are some great tips you can take with you to the golf course the next time you find yourself in this situation:

Take a practice swing. You need to give yourself the correct feel for distance for the shot you are about to hit.

Select the best club for the job! If the grass is soft, use your sand wedge. The clubhead is designed in a manner that it will actually bounce, or glide, through the grass, landing the ball softly on the green. If the grass is firm and tight, use a gap or lob wedge. This clubhead design will work its way through the turf, allowing you to hit the ball cleaner and with more precision.

Set up for success. Every shot must have the correct setup. Because this shot does not require a full swing, you must set up with a narrower stance.

When using the sand wedge, position the ball in the middle of your narrow stance, keep your hands more toward the middle of your body and maintain equal balance on both feet.

When using the gap or lob wedge, play with more weight on your forward leg and lightly press your hands forward.

Give yourself a fighting chance with one of the most difficult shots in golf. Turn your game around by using these tips to help you hit a successful pitch shot.


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