| Unless you have a laser sighted pitching wedge | | | | lower trajectory and will allow the ball to run once |
| you will probably be like many other golfers and | | | | it gets onto the green. When gripping the club it |
| wonder why you are not getting as close to the | | | | sometimes helps to hold further down the club |
| pin as you would like as often as you would like. | | | | grip than normal. |
| This comes from the decision to pitch the ball | | | | Your ball is on the fringe of the green and it is |
| onto the green or if you should choose to chip | | | | resting on the thick rough you have around 30 |
| and run the ball. | | | | feet to the hole. Here is a completely different |
| A common misconception by many golfers who | | | | situation the back of the ball is not in a position |
| are starting out is that they should use the | | | | where you could cleanly get the putter or iron to |
| pitching wedge where ever they get the | | | | strike the ball making the direction of the ball |
| opportunity around the green. NO! I remember | | | | movement more unpredictable, so it would |
| when I worked out that using an 8 iron around | | | | probably be a better option here to pitch the ball. |
| the green and getting the ball on the ground | | | | The fact that with a pitch you put more effort |
| faster could mean that I control the final | | | | into the swing in an aim to get the ball up and |
| destination of the ball on the green. | | | | down quickly means you have a better chance of |
| So lets take a look at the different scenario's and | | | | making a cleaner contact with the ball. So here |
| look at the options and the choices you need to | | | | would be a good time to get your pitching or |
| make depending on the environment: | | | | lofted wedge out. |
| Your ball is on the fairway and you have a clear | | | | With the ball further back in the rough but a good |
| view of the pin with a fairly straight put just right | | | | lie you would probably be able to get a good chip |
| to the pin will put you nice and close you are | | | | and run as long as you can see the back of the |
| about ten feet from the green and 30 feet of | | | | ball. Remember the softer you strike the ball the |
| green to the pin. A dry fairway means that this is | | | | more important it is to have control of the ball, |
| the ideal situation to putt from off the green. | | | | grass between the ball and the club could result in |
| Why would you want to lift the ball when you can | | | | the ball taking a route you don't want or not have |
| control the complete direction and speed along the | | | | the power you intended. |
| floor. | | | | All of these scenario's are just that possible |
| The same situation with a wet fairway would | | | | situations every shot is different and if you look |
| sway towards a chip and run as this would give | | | | at the shot before you decide what type of shot |
| you the option to flight the ball to a spot on the | | | | you are going to play you will have less doubt in |
| green that would then allow you to run the ball up | | | | your mind when you go to strike the ball. Practice |
| to the hole. By chipping over the wet area of | | | | makes perfect as with every golf shot, get out |
| fairway you can take out the unpredictable wet | | | | on the range and practice those targets that are |
| surface and roll the ball on the easier to read | | | | close by are perfect for practicing. Try the |
| green. | | | | chipping green make sure you test the different |
| When I play this shot my preferred club is an 8 | | | | types and get used to the feel of the ball and |
| iron, I stand with the ball back in my stance and | | | | how to get the ball to run. |
| close the club face slightly this gives the ball a | | | | |