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- The pitch shot carries mostly through the air and stops relatively quickly after landing
- It's your go-to when obstacles (bunkers, rough, slopes) prevent a low running chip
- Distance control comes from backswing length, not swing speed -- accelerate through every pitch
- The 20-60 yard range is statistically the weakest distance for amateur golfers
You're 40 yards from the pin. A bunker sits between you and the green. The pin is 15 feet past the bunker edge. You need a shot that flies over the sand, lands softly, and doesn't roll off the back.
A chip won't work here. You need a pitch.
Chip vs. pitch: knowing the difference
If a chip is a putt with a little air time, a pitch is a miniature full swing. The ball spends most of its journey in the air and relatively little time rolling after it lands.
Use a chip when: you have green to work with, no obstacles, and can run the ball to the hole.
Use a pitch when: you need to carry over something (bunker, rough, slope) or stop the ball quickly on the green.
The mistake most amateurs make is defaulting to one or the other for every situation. Smart short game players read the situation and choose the right tool.
Why the 20-60 yard range is so hard
Strokes gained data shows that amateur golfers lose more strokes from 20-60 yards than from any other distance range relative to expectations. The reasons are straightforward:
- It's an awkward in-between distance -- too far for a chip, too close for a full swing
- There's no standard "full swing" to rely on -- you need to calibrate partial swings
- Fear of the shot (particularly over a bunker) leads to deceleration
- Most golfers rarely practice this distance on the range
The result is fat shots, thin shots, and distance control errors that turn potential pars into bogeys and doubles.
The pitch shot technique
Open your stance slightly
Aim your feet 10-15 degrees left of target (for right-handed golfers). This creates room for your arms to swing through and promotes a slight out-to-in path that adds a touch of height and spin.
Ball position center to slightly forward
Unlike a chip (ball back), the pitch sits in the center of your stance or slightly forward. This allows the club to use its full loft at impact.
Hinge your wrists on the backswing
Unlike the chip's quiet wrists, the pitch requires a deliberate wrist hinge. This creates the steeper angle of attack needed for clean contact and spin.
Accelerate through impact
This is non-negotiable. A decelerating pitch shot is one of the most common causes of fat contact from this distance. Commit to acceleration regardless of the distance.
Let the club release naturally
Don't try to hold the face open or manipulate the clubhead through impact. Let your body rotation pull the club through. The follow-through should be at least as long as the backswing.
Distance control: the clock system
The most reliable way to control pitch shot distance is the clock system. Think of your lead arm as the hour hand of a clock:
| Arm position (backswing) | Approximate carry (56-degree wedge) |
|---|---|
| 7 o'clock (hip height) | 20-25 yards |
| 8 o'clock (just past hip) | 30-35 yards |
| 9 o'clock (parallel to ground) | 40-50 yards |
| 10 o'clock (three-quarter) | 55-65 yards |
The key: swing speed stays constant. Only the backswing length changes. This produces remarkably consistent distance control once you calibrate your personal numbers.
Spend 30 minutes on a practice green hitting pitches to different distances and noting your arm position. Write down your personal clock distances. These numbers are unique to you and incredibly valuable.
Common pitch shot mistakes
The decel chunk
You make a big backswing, panic about hitting it too far, and decelerate. The club digs into the ground behind the ball. Result: a fat shot that travels 5 yards.
Fix: Make a shorter backswing and accelerate through. A shorter, committed swing always beats a longer, tentative one.
The thin skull
Trying to help the ball up, you hang back on your trail foot and catch the ball with the leading edge. It rockets across the green at knee height.
Fix: Keep your weight slightly favoring your front foot (55-60%) and maintain that through impact. Trust the loft to get the ball airborne.
The distance gap
You can chip from 10 yards and hit a full wedge from 80 yards, but anything in between is guesswork.
Fix: Practice the clock system. Build three reliable pitch distances (25, 40, 55 yards, for example) and you'll cover the gap.
NG Making a full backswing for a 30-yard pitch and then decelerating to avoid hitting it too far
OK Making a 7 o'clock backswing and accelerating smoothly through the ball for a controlled 25-yard pitch
When to pitch vs. when to chip
Use this simple decision framework:
Chip (low runner) when:
- No obstacles between you and the hole
- Plenty of green to work with
- Flat or uphill green
- You're just off the green
Pitch (higher, softer) when:
- Bunker, thick rough, or slope between you and the green
- Pin is close to your side with little green to work with
- Downhill green that won't hold a running shot
- You're 20+ yards from the green
When both options are viable, choose the chip. It's the higher-percentage play. Only pitch when the situation demands it.
The practice routine
Dedicate 20 minutes of each practice session to pitching:
10 minutes: Clock calibration. Hit 5 balls each at 7, 8, 9, and 10 o'clock. Note where they land. This builds your distance library.
5 minutes: Target practice. Pick a specific pin or towel on the practice green. Hit 10 balls trying to land them within a 6-foot circle around the target.
5 minutes: Pressure practice. Hit one ball to each of 5 different targets. Score yourself: inside 6 feet = 2 points, on the green = 1 point, miss the green = 0. Try to beat your best score.
The bottom line
The pitch shot fills the critical gap between chipping and full swings. Master it by using the clock system for distance control, always accelerating through impact, and practicing the 20-60 yard range deliberately. Choose pitching when obstacles demand height or when the pin placement requires a soft landing. When the situation allows either a chip or a pitch, default to the chip -- but when you need to pitch, execute with commitment.
References & Data Notes
- Pelz, D. Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible. Broadway Books, 1999.
- Broadie, M. Every Shot Counts. Gotham Books, 2014.
- Utley, S. The Art of the Short Game. Gotham Books, 2007.
- The 20-60 yard strokes gained deficit is well-documented in Broadie's strokes gained research. Distance control numbers are approximate and vary by player, club, and conditions.