When you need to hit a pitch shot that starts high and stops quickly, it is essential that you learn how to properly use the bottom of your club (the bounce). If your wedge digs into the turf, you may overreact by trying to avoid the ground completely, often leading to bladed shots.
Hitting the ground is not the problem: using the club’s bounce correctly is. That’s just one of five ways you can prevent the ball from getting cut up. Check them all out below.
1. Use a club with bounce
Choosing the right club is crucial. For a real pitch shot you should use a lofted wedge with bounce:
- Sand wedge: 54–56°
- Wedge spacing: 50–52°
- Lob wedge: 58–60°
Bounce helps the club slide through the grass instead of digging. It offers forgiveness if you make contact with the ground a little early and gives you the confidence to hit the ground without fear of the shot being deflected.
2. Ball position
Ball position has a major influence on the way the club interacts with the ground. To encourage the club to slide, play the ball slightly forward of center.
With the club in the center of your stance and the ball just in front of that line, you maintain both loft and bounce. If the ball is played too far back, the shaft naturally leans forward, reducing loft, reducing bounce and increasing the chance of digging.
3. Shaft lean
Forward shaft slope keeps the club from bouncing, making it more likely to dig. At address, the handle should point toward center (or even slightly behind) to add loft and expose spring.
You can favor your leading side with your weight, but be careful not to combine that with leaning the shaft forward. This applies to both addressing and impact.
4. Twist and release
Your movement through the ball is just as important as your positioning. A good pitch swing ensures that the release the club headinstead of holding corners and leaning the axle forward.
Feel your trail hand helping the club head overtake – or even slightly overtake – the handle. Finish with your weight forward and use a small pivot to allow the club to sweep the grass under and behind the ball. Avoid falling back or trying to help the ball into the air.
5. Properly mounted wedges
Good technique is important, but wedge fitting also plays a big role in how the club interacts with the surface. Your wedge lofts, bounces and gapping should suit your swing and course conditions.
I send most students – and my own family – to True Spec Golf for club fitting. Having wedges that slide instead of dig can significantly improve the consistency of your short game.
If you would like more information on how to execute the different short game shots and a calibration system to lower your scores, consider exploring my short game course, which includes both chipping and pitching.
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