Pitching: Choosing The Right Club & Reaching Realistic Goals

When it is time to make a pitch shot, you can't just pull out any club for the job. The club you pick will depend entirely on how much distance lies between your ball, the green, and the hole. So as long as you adhere to the basic fundamentals of proper execution when hitting the shot, the specific club you use to make your pitch a successful one is a matter of the yardage needed and preference from experience.

Ideally you want to select a club for your pitch shot that will send the ball soaring far enough, and high enough, to get past the ground distance that you need it to. You also need the ball to come down with the appropriate trajectory so that it comes to a dead stop on the green (or better yet, close to the hole).

Isn't The Pitching Wedge The Ideal Club To Use?

Fundamentally, yes, the pitching wedge would indeed be the best choice, but the intermediate-to-advanced golfer has room for preferences when playing their short game. There are even golfers that like to hit pitch shots from any club, be in the sand wedge on up to the 9 iron.

However, if you are new to golf or still getting a feel for your clubs, the key is to practice as many pitch shots on the range as possible with your short irons. This way you will get a good feel of the trajectory of each club as well as the distance that they will give you when on the course. Be sure to hit many different types of pitches. Try some low liners under the wind and dozens of high flops that fly over bunkers – any odd situation that you may face during a real game.

Pitch Shot Goals & Realistic Expectations

You have probably heard this before but it can't be said enough: Every shot you take should be preceded with a solid goal and a realistic expectation. But setting specific goals can be tough for the new golfer to apply. You need to know exactly what you want to accomplish - you need to set up an easy pitch - you need acceptable results. Here is how you do it:

1. Set your goal. Think big, think bold! Go for the green in a way that you have never done before. Get ambitious with your pitch shots (and all other shots for that matter) and make it a goal for the ball to reach as close to the hole as possible. Visualize the ball landing and leaving you on a 1-putt shot to the hole.

2. Realistic expectations. Now just because you went for the gold with your pitch shot this does not mean that your ball will land where you want it to each time. In fact, you should walk away from any result with a positive attitude. So at the same time while dreaming big, also program your mind to be happy anytime the ball lands either on the green or at least close to it. That is the way this game works: Reach high but make the best of every situation.

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