Pitching
Pitching is a mid-range short-game shot that carries the ball most of the way to the target with a descending blow and controlled spin, typically from 30–100 yards.
A pitch uses a partial swing with a wedge or high-lofted club to fly the ball on a precise arc with enough spin to control how it stops on the green. Good pitching requires accurate distance control (governed by swing length and tempo) and a descending attack angle to create spin. The half-swing and three-quarter-swing parameters make pitching a learnable, repeatable skill. It is distinct from chipping (less air time, more roll) and from full wedge shots.
Example
A 60-yard pitch with a sand wedge that lands two yards past the flag and checks to a stop is a well-executed pitch — carry controlled, spin working.
Related terms
- ChippingChipping is a short shot played from just off the green — a small swing that gets the ball rolling on the green quickly, using the putting surface to carry it to the hole.
- Distance ControlDistance control is calibrating how far the ball travels — in putting by swing length and tempo, in the short game by carry distance — so the ball ends up close to its target.
- Short GameThe short game is all shots played around and on the green — putting, chipping, pitching, and bunker play — and typically accounts for 60–65% of strokes in an average round.
- DecelerationDeceleration is when the club slows down through the impact zone instead of accelerating past the ball — a common cause of mishits on chips, pitches, and bunker shots.
Related guides & benchmarks
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