CONCEPT · SHORT GAME INTERMEDIATE FOCUS
Mastery of pitching means carrying the ball close to the pin with maximum spin and precise distance control.
Skill split
01 · Overview
~2 min read
The pitching wedge might be the most misunderstood club in your bag, yet mastering those crucial 30-80 yard shots can transform your scoring potential. Unlike chipping, where the goal is getting the ball rolling quickly, pitching demands precision with carry distance and spin control to attack pins from awkward distances.
Meandmygolf reveals a game-changing insight about strike quality: hitting between grooves 2-5 on the clubface delivers maximum spin and optimal launch conditions. This level of precision requires understanding how weight transfer affects your low point, something that separates confident wedge players from those who chunk and thin their way around the greens.
Danny Maude emphasizes that pitching lives in that twilight zone between full swings and delicate touch shots, demanding its own unique technique and rhythm. The key lies in controlling your downswing sequence to ensure clean contact while generating enough spin to hold greens.
Whether you're facing a 40-yard carry over a bunker or trying to spin one close from 70 yards, these fundamentals will give you the confidence to attack pins instead of just hoping to find the green.
4 components that build the move
01 · BALL POSITION
Position the ball in the middle or just behind center to promote descending contact. This setup ensures you strike the ball before the turf, creating the compression needed for spin and distance control.
02 · WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
Start with 60% of your weight on your front foot and maintain this bias through the swing. This forward weight positioning helps create the downward strike angle essential for clean pitch shots.
03 · CLUBFACE CONTACT
Contact the ball on the lower portion of the clubface, specifically between the second and fifth grooves from the bottom. This sweet spot maximizes spin while maintaining optimal launch angle and distance control.
04 · GROUND INTERACTION
Execute a descending blow that contacts the ball before taking a thin divot after impact. The divot should start at the ball position and extend toward the target, confirming proper strike sequence.
02 · The Reference
3 of 94 · hand-selected
Editor's Pick · #1 · 13:05
Maude breaks down the specific distance control system for the critical 30-80 yard range where most amateurs struggle with consistency.
Danny Maude · intermediate
Editor's Pick · 0:36
Ballard delivers the clearest 30-second distinction between chipping and pitching technique that finally settles the confusion.
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard · beginner
Editor's Pick · 12:32
Edblad focuses exclusively on impact fundamentals with detailed clubface contact points that separate good pitchers from great ones.
Your guide to better golf - Marcus Edblad PGA Pro · beginner
04 · The Experts
3 perspectives · same drill
! If your ball is lying in semi-rough and up in the air, it's easier to hit higher off the face which increases launch and decreases spin
! Can't hit successful high spinning pitch shots with 7, 8, 9, or even pitching wedge - won't get enough spin
04 · Practice it
1 drill
Drill
Practice protocol with timestamped demonstrations across 2 videos.
05 · FAQ
Answered from the library
According to Clay Ballard from Top Speed Golf, chipping is about getting the ball on the ground as quickly as possible with minimal spin using a lower lofted club. Pitching involves carrying the ball as far as possible close to the pin with maximum spin to help it stop quickly on the green.
Danny Maude explains that these distances between 40-50 yards are really awkward and make many golfers nervous. The key is developing a consistent technique for striking pitch shots in this tricky yardage range where it's not a chip shot but not a full swing either.
According to Meandmygolf, contact is absolutely king for wedge spin. You want to strike the ball between grooves two and five on your wedge face to get optimum maximum spin and a slightly lower launch angle.
The Art of Simple Golf suggests you shouldn't automatically reach for your lob wedge in every short game situation. When you don't have much green to work with, you might want to consider using a sand wedge or other club instead of the lob wedge depending on the conditions.
Mark Crossfield addresses this common question on his AskGolfGuru channel, explaining the considerations golfers need to make when deciding on their wedge setup. The answer depends on your individual game and the types of shots you encounter most frequently.
Tap any concept to explore the library
06 · The Library
YouTube-indexed · expert-graded
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Matt Fryer Golf
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Dan Grieve
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Michael Kanev Golf
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Tropicana Entertainment
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Good Golf Coaching
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Golf Sidekick
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Golf Sidekick
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Jerome Rufin
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Tropicana Entertainment
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Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Video · 1:22
True Swing by Erika Larkin
Video · 0:48
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Video · 2:02
Dan Grieve
Video · 1:09
Fraser Golf Institute
Video · 1:24
Tropicana Entertainment
Video · 0:47
ChrisRyanGolf
Video · 0:16
Michael Kanev Golf
Video · 0:25
Rob Cheney Golf
Video · 5:40
The Art of Simple Golf
Video · 0:36
Meandmygolf
Video · 1:09
Jerome Rufin
Video · 0:47
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Video · 1:23
Matt Fryer Golf
Video · 14:34
Giles Gill Golf
Video · 0:30
Milo Lines Golf
Video · 0:30
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Video · 0:40
Dan Grieve
Video · 8:19
Athletic Motion Golf
Video · 0:40
AlexElliottGolf
Video · 1:30
Michael Kanev Golf
Video · 1:13
Tropicana Entertainment
Video · 0:48
Tropicana Entertainment
Video · 2:59
MONTE’S GOLF - Since 1954
Video · 11:01
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Video · 0:57
The Art of Simple Golf
Video · 1:40
Matt Fryer Golf
Video · 15:36
AlexElliottGolf
Video · 0:22
James Ridyard
Video · 13:05
Danny Maude
Video · 10:55
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Video · 1:34
James Ridyard
Video · 0:46
James Ridyard
Video · 1:20
James Wiltshire
Video · 9:16
James Wiltshire
Video · 0:18
James Ridyard
Video · 0:12
James Ridyard
Video · 0:52
James Ridyard
Practice the 40-yard challenge drill to expose weaknesses and build the precision that transforms your short game scoring.
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