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In order to master the golf pitch shot means that you must
learn to swing the right club with the exact amount of force.
This will allow the speed of the clubhead and loft of the iron to send the
ball flying directly toward the hole.
As the old saying in golf goes: “Just let the club to the hard work”.
To break the pitch shot down into a simple list of ordered instructions, the
following reference is worth its weight in gold anytime you need to get back down
to basics:
1. Every pitch shot should start with you mentally visualizing
the shot by selecting a spot where you want the ball to land.
2. Based on the distance between you and your landing goal,
choose the right club that you think will carry the ball through.
3. Most of your bodyweight should be focused on the front side
of your body.
4. Your front foot should open up by shifting it back about
five to six inches from your target line.
5. Now grip your club, keeping a light, yet firm grasp.
6. Your body and head should be still, yet not tense or
anxious.
7. Take your swing and keep the club back along your target
line, then forward and through the ball, keeping the stroke smooth throughout the
movement.
8. Keep your follow-through in a straight line towards the
target.
9. Finally, use the results of your shot to help make
improvements on the next pitch. Example questions: Where did the ball land compared
to your target? Did you choose a club with too much loft, thereby putting more spin
than needed? Was the wind a factor in knocking the ball down?
Determine The Velocity & Flight Path
One of the problems with mastering a pitch shot is that you just can't swing
away like you would with a long iron or your driver.
Due to the fact that a pitch shot is designed for hitting the ball within 70
yards or so from the hole, it requires that you send the ball traveling at just the
proper length. Add wind to the mix or some other deterrent and the plan becomes
that much more complex.
The trick to determining the right velocity and direction with your pitch shot
is to match the length of your back swing to the exact distance in which you want
the ball to travel.
Be careful to take the club back far enough. If you do not, then you may, by
instinct, put extra force on the downswing, eliminating the smoothness and flow
that the shot needs.
On the other hand, if you swing the club too far back, it may decelerate on the
downswing. And as you know, deceleration on any swing is bad news in golf - fatal
to the shot at hand.
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