Stress-Free Lob Shot: 3 Steps from Jean-Marc Espelt
A large obstacle in front of the green and little room to land the ball: this is where many players lose their composure. Jean-Marc Espelt breaks down the pitch shot into three steps to help you play it with ease.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
According to Jean-Marc Espelt, the face must to be open upon impact, with a little speed to lift the ball. Module 1, the investment: keep your body open, with your left foot set back behind your right foot to turn your hips to the left and make it easier to rotate, the ball is more to the left, and upper body, including the sternum, leaning forward, not just shifting your weight to the left while keeping your body behind. You need a downward angle of attack. Module 2, coordination: Roll through the ball—it’s the body that moves the arms, which are connected, without accelerating the arms.
If you use your arms, your hands will clench, you'll pull the club toward you, and you'll end up hitting a big top into the hazard. The higher and farther you want to hit the ball, the more you need to rotate your body. Module 3, relaxation and the “theory of the reverse side”: Instinctively, you want to lift the ball; instead, you have to bring the open face down and stay low, looking down, and the ball will rise on its own. Trying to lift it means catching it on the edge of the clubface and sending it soaring. Ultimately, he’s looking for symmetry between the downswing and the backswing.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Open your body by placing your left foot behind your right foot.
- Place the ball a little to the left.
- Lean your upper body, including your sternum, slightly forward.
- Relax your arms and keep them close to your body.
- Roll through the ball, letting your body lead your arms.
- Keep your elbows tucked in and your eyes down, and let the club move downward.
- Look for a symmetry between the outbound and return trips.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Shift your weight to the left, keeping your upper body behind you.
- Playing with the arms and hands as they rush about.
- Pull the club toward you and hit the ball into the obstacle.
- Try to lift the ball and catch it with the edge of your foot.
- Letting yourself get stressed out by the sight of the obstacle.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Approaches over an obstacle with limited space to land the ball
- Reminder of the stance before each shot: open stance, ball on the left, upper body leaning forward
- Swing while keeping the club and your gaze down after impact
- Measuring Height and Distance Through Body Rotation
Your Questions
How should you position yourself for pitch shots?
Jean-Marc Espelt opens up his body, with his left foot set back, positions the ball slightly to the left, and leans his upper body forward—not just his weight.
Why do I cap my pitch shots?
Often because you’re moving your arms: your hands clench, you pull the club toward you, and you hit the ball with the edge of the club. He advises letting your arms move with your body.
What is the "reverse" theory?
To get the ball airborne, don't lift it—instead, bring the open clubface down and stay low. It's the clubface that gets the ball airborne.
How do you determine the right pitch shot for a lift?
"Use your body rather than your arms: the higher and farther you want to go, the more you turn your body," he explains.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jean-Marc Espelt). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.