KPJ’s Cardiogolf Game Improvement Program

Today-Monday-Pitching Basics

Tuesday-Pitching Faults and Fixes

Wednesday-Pitching Distance Control

Thursday-Pitching Variations

Friday-Pitching Practice

Pitching Basics

Accuracy from 100 yards and in is crucial to lowering your score. Pitching the ball within 10 to 6 feet of the cup increases your chance of saving par. The ideal pitch flies higher and lands softly. Distance is determined by length and speed of your swing. You are looking to produce a higher softer shot, unless, you are trying to hit a speciality shot like a pitch run shot. Learn these basic fundamentals to become a better pitcher. When I talk about Pitching, I am referring to anything from 30 to 100 that requires less than a full swing with a wedge or sand wedge, but just like chipping, you can pitch with any club.

Here are some Key Thoughts:

1. The length of your shot determines the length of the swing.  This is where feel is very important.
2. Narrow stance to stabilize lower body.  You don’t want a lot of weight shift on the backswing.  Think of a pitch as a one axis swing.
3. You can open your stance, but keep your shoulders square, you still want to hit the inside of the ball.
4. Wrist Action is Key…The club must work up, so you need to hinge your wrists as you start the backswing.
5. Hands ahead at impact.
6. Even though this is no weight shift on backswing you need a little weight shift on the downswing and follow-thru.
7. Always accelerate on the downswing.  One of the worst things you can do is to slow down as you hit the ball.
8. Experiment with ball position and clubface angle.  Different ball position, different trajectory.
9. Think Ernie Els rhythm when you pitch. You want to have nice smooth rhythm.
10. You can’t practice this enough!

Keep weight forward on your front side and hinge your wrists on the backswing

On-Course Exercise-Practice pitching using a pre-shot routine that you would use on the golf course when you are playing.  Don’t just randomly hit shots around the practice green. Plan each shot you want to hit-decide where you want the ball to land, what length shot your need to hit, how hard or soft etc.  Watch this short video for an example of how to practice your pitching-Click here to watch a short video.

Off-Course Exercise-Complete the Pre-Swing Muscle and Joint Warm Up chapter from the Cardiogolf DVD.  To order your own copy of Cardiogolf visit cardiogolf .

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Email your questions and comments-Karen@swingbladegolf.com

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