Pitching is often the most misunderstood shot in golf. Many golfers can hit a solid driver but fall apart when faced with a short shot around the green, leading to frustrating chunks and thin shots. The “secret” to pitching isn’t a complicated swing change, but a simple fundamental that most amateurs overlook. This article, based on a new video, reveals the secret to pitching no one has told you about, and how mastering it will lead to more consistent contact and better scores.
The Common Mistake: Scooping the Ball
The biggest mistake most golfers make is trying to “help” the ball into the air. This leads to a “scooping” motion, where the golfer tries to lift the ball off the ground by flipping their wrists. The result is a wild inconsistency—either a fat shot, where you hit the ground behind the ball, or a thin shot, where the ball flies over the green.
The Secret Revealed: A Descending Blow
The real secret to pitching is to hit the ball with a descending blow. This means your clubhead should be traveling downward at the moment of impact. This is what creates that crisp, satisfying “thump” and gives the ball the perfect amount of backspin and trajectory.
How to Achieve the Descending Blow
Here are a few simple tips and drills to help you master this fundamental:
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The “Hands Ahead” Feeling: At impact, your hands should be slightly ahead of the clubhead. This ensures you hit the ball first. You can practice this by setting up with the ball slightly back in your stance.
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The “One-Piece” Motion: For shorter pitch shots, keep your wrists firm and let your arms and shoulders swing the club together, as one unit. This prevents the wrist-flipping that causes poor contact.
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Quiet Legs and Hips: While your body should rotate through the shot, the primary motion for a pitch is a turn of the upper body. Avoid excessive lower body movement, which can lead to a loss of control and an inconsistent low point.
Why This Works
By hitting down on the ball, you’re using the club’s loft as it was designed. You’ll get more spin, more consistent distance, and a shot that lands softly on the green. This simple shift in mindset and technique is the key to unlocking your best pitching.
Conclusion
The secret to pitching no one has told you about is simpler than you think. It’s not about a magic trick, but about hitting down on the ball with a firm, controlled motion. By focusing on this fundamental, you can start hitting pure, consistent pitch shots and take strokes off your game.
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