Master Your Pitching Game with These 5 Expert Tips
If your short game is the reason you’ve been donating Pro V1s to the water hazard, it’s time to get serious about your pitching. A solid pitch shot can save your round, shave strokes off your score, and keep your buddies from talking too much trash on the 19th hole.
Pitching isn’t just about technique—it’s about confidence, precision, and knowing when to use the right tool for the job. In this guide, I’ll walk you through five essential pro-tips to get your pitching dialed in. Stay to the end and implement this advice and I promise you'll see a noticeable difference in no time.
Topics Covered in This Guide
1. Master the Basic Setup
Great pitching starts before you even take the club back. If your stance, ball position, and posture are out of whack, your shot is doomed before you even make contact.
Narrow your stance – About shoulder-width for control.
Keep your weight slightly forward – This helps create a crisp, descending strike.
Ball position just off your back foot – This promotes a clean strike and prevents chunking.
Soft grip, relaxed arms – You want finesse, not a power drive.
The goal here is simple: set yourself up so you don’t have to rely on some miracle wrist action to save the shot. Give yourself the best odds possible before you even take the club back.
2. Dial in Your Distance Control
One of the biggest mistakes golfers make is treating every pitch shot the same. Instead of relying on brute force, focus on controlling your distance with the length of your backswing.
Use the clock system – Think of your swing like a clock: 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 positions will give you different yardages.
Keep your tempo consistent – A smooth, even tempo ensures reliable distances.
Practice with different clubs – Don’t just rely on one wedge. Get a feel for your gap, sand, and lob wedges for different situations.
The more you practice different distances, the less you’ll be left guessing on the course.
3. Play with an F2 Wedge
If you’re tired of chunking, thinning, or flat-out duffing your pitch shots, it’s time to bring in the secret weapon—the F2 Wedge. Why is the F2 Wedge the ultimate short-game savior?
Shank-proof design – The hosel is tucked back, meaning fewer bladed shots.
Extra forgiveness – Even if you don’t strike it perfectly, you’ll still get solid contact.
Superior spin and control – Stop the ball where you want it instead of watching it race past the pin.
Listen, you can fight your way through pitch shots with an old, worn-out wedge, or you can grab an F2 Wedge and start playing like a short-game maestro. Your call.
4. Learn to Hit Different Trajectories
Sometimes, a high, soft shot is needed. Other times, you want a low, controlled bump-and-run. The best pitchers can adjust their trajectory depending on the situation.
High shot: Open your stance and clubface, swing with a smooth tempo, and commit.
Mid-height shot: Square stance, square clubface, and moderate follow-through.
Low bump-and-run: Slightly back in the stance, less wrist hinge, and more roll-out after landing.
The more shots you can confidently hit, the better prepared you’ll be on the course.
5. Practice With Purpose
Don’t just go to the range and mindlessly hit pitch shots. Instead, make every shot count.
Use a target – Pick a landing spot and try to land your shots consistently.
Simulate course conditions – Set up different lies to practice tough situations.
Keep score – Challenge yourself to hit a set number of shots within a certain range.
Practicing with a plan makes a huge difference when you’re out on the course and need to pull off a pressure shot.
Dial in Your Pitching and Save Strokes
A strong pitching game isn’t just about looking good in front of your golf buddies—it’s about making golf easier and lowering your scores. Remember these tips the next time you find yourself 30 yards from the pin and you’ll be stepping up with confidence instead of dread.
To better golf,
Matt Stephens
Founder & Inventor, GoGolf365
