Mastering the Precision Pitch Shot Workshop: Instant Savings on Shots Within 100 Yards Distance
Every weekend golfer runs into trouble with pitch shots, spoiling their good work off the tee and limiting their opportunities to score well on the golf course.
The stumbling blocks often stem from misunderstandings about the basics of pitch shots and the tempo required—mistakes that Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach and PGA Professional Alex Elliott intends to help you avoid.
By creating a simple, repeatable process, these three easy tips will help you conquer pitch shots from within 100 yards and steer clear of mistakes typical of amateur golfers when they're near the greens.
Master Pitch Shots Like a Pro With 3 Simple Tips
Alex Elliott, an accomplished golfer with a thriving social media following, offers advice and guidance to help golfers shoot lower scores. With more than 500,000 followers across his YouTube and Instagram accounts, he has the chance to reach countless amateur golfers.
Now, here are Alex Elliott's tips to improve your pitch shots:
1. The Ideal Setup for Pitch Shots
Between 70-yards and inside, improving your pitch shots is one of the proven approaches for amateur golfers to consistently break 80. Success largely depends on what you do before you even hit the golf ball.
Setting up correctly involves placing the ball towards the rear half of your stance and placing around 60% of your weight on the lead foot. Position your gloved hand slightly ahead of the ball to create a forward shaft lean. Adopt a neutral golf grip, but slide your hands further down the grip for better control. Your shoulders should be parallel to the target line, but open your feet and hips slightly to keep the low point ahead of the ball, promoting the ball-then-turf contact necessary for a perfect pitch.
2. Using Gravity to Practice the Perfect Pitch Shot Tempo
Gravity can be your ally when hitting pitch shots as it aids in mastering the correct tempo. Take the club back halfway and hold your lead arm with your trail hand, as shown below.
Next, release your arm and let gravity take care of the rest. As you swing through the ball, you should notice that your arm naturally reaches a similar point in the follow-through.
Many club golfers struggle with pitch shots due to taking the club back too fast on the downswing. Practicing this gravity drill can lead to increased control and a more consistent tempo.
3. Swing Length Matters
You may have heard about the clock face drill, but Alex prefers visualizing a mirror image when deciding the length of backswing and follow-through on a pitch.
Let's start with position one, chest to chest. Position two, called shoulder to shoulder, is longer for a farther pitch. For position two, your hands should reach your trail shoulder in the backswing, so expect them to reach your lead shoulder in the follow-through. Applying these principles and matching them with the tempo and setup discussed will soon lead to more scoring opportunities.
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- Implementing the ideal setup for pitch shots, as outlined by Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Alex Elliott, will help you improve your pitch shots and potentially break 80, with essential factors including ball placement, weight distribution, shaft lean, grip position, and open stance.
- To master the perfect pitch shot tempo, a common challenge for amateur golfers, follow Alex Elliott's gravity drill to create a controlled swing. Hold your lead arm with your trail hand as you take the club back halfway, then release your arm to allow gravity to guide your swing, helping you achieve a consistent and natural tempo on your downswing and follow-through, typical of a pro's pitch shot.
