The pitching technique shown in this video really helps me (and will help you too) to hit crisp short game shots. This is because it allows me to accelerate and hit the ground after the ball with not much of a divot. The movement is very natural and if you practice it enough, you will get the hand of it and really enjoy it!
Transcript:
0:00 Hey there, welcome to Hawtrey Golf. I want
to help you with your pitching. The pitch
shot can be a scary shot. One is worried about
hitting the ground first or topping the ball.
It so important that you know before your
hit the pitch shot that you are going to hit
the ball and then the ground. That relaxes
one and one can concentrate on the distance.
Oh by the way, sorry about the sprinklers.
This course – I’m in the north of South Africa
at the moment – it’s so hot, it’s so dry,
we need the water. And what the sprinkler
has done – it’s made the green really soft.
So I have got to hit the ball right to the
flag – it will stop quickly. Ok, so the pitch
shot is the right shot here – for me.
0:45 So this is how you should pitch, this is how you should
pitch, this will help you, this will give
you confidence. Take your stance – ball in
the middle of your feet – and keep your feet
nice and close together. If you want to, you
can stand a little bit open, but you don’t
have to.
1:06 So, this is the important part. Do
not hinge your wrists immediately during the
backswing. Try to keep your hands nice and
passive. Then, once you get to this point,
you want to start the downswing with a slight
weight transfer and a turning of the body
– don’t do that, just a slight one and turn.
1:29 Now if you hold the club lightly enough, something
very important and interesting will happen.
You will hinge automatically. The angle between
my left arm and shaft will automatically become
smaller, which is great because now we can
release the hands and the club through the
ball. That has quite a few advantages: Nr
1: acceleration – great and Nr. 2: you will
hit the ball a lot later.
2:02 Let me do it once.
Quiet hands, turn. I will do it again. Quiet
hands, turn, release. And if you look carefully
here, I am hitting the ball and then the ground.
OK, so let’s see how close I can get to the
target. You see I stand a little bit open,
quiet hands, I start with a body turn – this
causes me to hinge and then I can release
without actually having to put any effort
into the shot.
3:13 I’m not going to say it’s as
simple as that, it’s not, you have got to
practice. It’s all about timing, soft hands
and trusting yourself. So really, think about
it again – quiet hands, start with your body
as you always should and let that happen,
because from there you’ll have speed and a
really good timed release. Thanks a lot for
watching. If you’ve liked this video, please
subscribe to this channel. As you can see,
it’s a baby channel, I’d also love your thumbs
up. Bye.
