The pitching wedge is the most crucial club of golf’s bag. It is a club that comes with versatile actions. Hitting a pitching wedge is quite similar to any short iron. Golfers can use this wedge for shots between 15 to 16 yards. The pitching wedge can help us to get closer to the green inside of 100 to 150 yards.
Pitching wedge actually used to hit over trees, water, or obstacles like these. Hitting with this wedge depends on what kind of shots I want to hit. The shot can be a chip from rough. And, the shot might be a long bouncy from fairway to green. Proper use of this wedge must follow some technique. Before mastering that kind of shot we should know how to hit pitching wedge properly. Then it needs more and more practice to be a master.
What is a pitching wedge?
Pitching wedge hit is longer than a chip shot and shorter than a full iron shot. These wedges are specially built for pitch shots. They are not just used for bunker shots! After the nine iron pitching wedge is the most lofted club. The pitching wedge’s loft is between 45 and 49 degrees. It has a shaft of nearly 34-38 inches. And bounce can be low as 2 to 3 inches.
How to hit a pitching wedge in Golf
Hitting a solid shot with wedges we have to learn about this. There are several things to do rightfully.
- Gripping correctly is very crucial for any kind of shot. Amateur players are making mistakes here constantly. At first, put your left hand’s thumb straight up on your club’s handle. Then overlapping left hand by your right hand. Don’t move your left hand’s thumb. Now right hand’s little finger is to be placed middle over the left hand’s index and middle finger. Make sure the left hand is overlapping by the right as per the instruction given.
- The ball should be placed center between your feet and knees. Knees might be slightly bent. The clubhead must be flat on the ground and in line with the position of the ball. This proper stance helps to hit a straight shot. And, make you understand how to hit a pitching wedge straight.
- Backswing is the most important step in this whole process. So, anyone has to do this with elite care. Make your eyes and head focused on the ball. Clubhead position accurately like an open door. Keep your head down. For the backswing, the front hand (left) must be entirely locked out. Now the left arm is straight and in a position like shaking someone’s hand. For hit, simply turn your body away from the target. And, do the converse thing while in the downswing. The timing is very important between backswing and downswing.
- As said, in the backswing the clubhead is open like a door. But in a swing, the clubhead is getting close like a door.
- Sometimes ball may be in an awkward position from the hole. Then simply close down the pitching wedge to play a hit and run back to the target. Here you should choke down slightly on the clubhead’s grip. And, the ball should be placed near to the back of your stance.
- In follow-through, both hands should be high in the air. And the player’s clubhead position should be in line with his/her spine.
- From the first round, a player should watch diligently how the ball reacts. It’s called watch the spin. The ball may take one bounce and spin back to the green. It does take one big bounce and spin back to the green! Watching the spin’s carefully, a golfer can make the important adjustments that must have to do.
Every player wants to know how to hit a pitching wedge high or, how to hit a pitching wedge 100 yards, even more. Generally, the loft of a pitching wedge is between 45 and 48 degrees. Typically it is used for a shot over 100 yards. The fresher may hit a pitching wedge. But a professional golfer can hit a pitching wedge over 125 yards. It’s all about practice, swing quality, and experiences.
Different types of shot:
Different shots can be played by using a pitching wedge. And, here we also see the range of those shots.
Pitch Shot: A pitching wedge is the most perfect wedge for a pitch shot. A player may stand from the flag about 100 yards and more. It needs to hit the ball high and long into the green. Then the pitching wedge is a perfect weapon. Before, it was called ‘10-iron’. The basic part is the same as described in the ‘how to hit a pitching wedge’ section. Now align the pitching wedge to the target.
Take a sound swing and shot. It can be done in the fairway and the rough. For the less powerful shots, make less swing. For high-impact shots, make a proper full swing. A player can align himself or herself left of the hole for a high trajectory shot that will land softer. The gap wedge is replaced here. Taking good grip and correct backswing make the shot over 100 yards. As usual, it needs practice, practice, and practice.
Flop Shot: Pitching wedge can be useful to play a flop shot. Just open the clubface wide and make the alignment right. Then re-grip the club and run to the ball. The rest work will be done by a proper swing.
Chip Shot: For chip shots, anyone is set to go with the pitching wedge. When no obstacles are there, then this shot is usually played. We know, longer the iron we get low the trajectory. Now, make the angle lower, align rightly, keep weight on the front foot, and go.
Every fresher comes and tries to take long shots. But don’t focus on short games. The short play is a key to success in any kind of tournament. The pitching wedge helps a golfer to play both long and short shots. So, it is an essential part of any professional golfer’s kit. If a player is a master of using the pitching wedge, then success is near. But remember the technique and never tired of practice.
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Sources:
1) https://www.instructables.com/Materials-Needed-1/
2) https://golfstead.com/how-to-hit-a-pitching-wedge
3) https://golfersolution.com/how-to-hit-a-pitching-wedge/
4) https://golftips.golfweek.usatoday.com/use-pitching-wedge-1305.html
5) https://www.bencranegolf.com/how-to-hit-a-pitching-wedge/
6) https://www.golfmagic.com/news/equipment-news/wedges-10-things-to-know/4384
7) https://swingmangolf.com/three-keys-hitting-pitching-wedge/
8) https://www.golfdigest.com/story/rickie-fowler-how-to-hit-wedges-tight-from-any-distance
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