Introduction Keeping Control and Accuracy Judging Distance Follow Through Introduction Although we can't drive with the power and accuracy of a professional golfer, our short game can always use work. So we decided that a section should be dedicated to pitching the ball. Pitching is actually a little different than any other swing. The trick is control of length and accuracy. Keeping Control and Accuracy Beginner golfers make a very big mistake when pitching the ball. They think that the pitching swing and a regular iron swing are very much a like. In some ways they are, but they are very very different. The major fault that beginners make is that they think that the power of the pitching stroke come from their wrists and they swing mainly with their wrists. Wrong! A wristy swing normally results in a loss of control. How do you keep the control and accuracy? Well, to swing a pitching wedge, you set up like you would for a normal iron shot. The ball should be placed centered between your legs. The swing should only be a 75% swing. (By hitting with 75% of your normal swing, you have more control and accuracy in your swing.) The second thing that you can do, is not to have a "wristy swing." To do this, try not to use your wrists through the beginning of the swing and only bend your wrists toward the top of the swing (the slot position.) Judging Distance Once you know how hard to swing to get a certain distance out of a swing, you have to learn how to judge the distance from you to your target. There is no technique to do this, so I can't give you any sure fire way to judge the distance to your target. It only comes with trial ad error. Follow Through When swing a pitching wedge, you are swinging with less power than a normal swing. Because of the decrease in power, it seems that you should stop the swing right after contact the ball. And that could lead to shanking the ball and other poor shots. This is why, it is important that you swing through the ball. Also, when swinging a wedge, it is important that the weight transfer occurs. If it doesn't occur, then the stroke is stiff and can again lead to disaster.