Pitch ShotsAvoid Fat and Thin Shots Wedges Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 4 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

The Gliding Technique: A Pitch Shot Without Hitting It Fat

Name: The Gliding Technique: A Pitch Shot Without Hitting It Fat
Uploaded: 2015-06-19T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 4 min 15 s
Channel: Joel Bernard
Description: About fifteen meters from an elevated green, the pitch shot can be intimidating: one fat shot, then another, and you end up topping the ball. Joël Bernard, from Mon Coach de Golf, shares the technique he’s been using for over twenty years: sliding the club across the grass in three steps.

About fifteen meters from an elevated green, the pitch shot can be intimidating: one fat shot, then another, and you end up topping the ball. Joël Bernard, from Mon Coach de Golf, shares the technique he’s been using for over twenty years: sliding the club across the grass in three steps.

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Joel Bernard · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

Schedule · Step 5 of 7Master Your Short Game in 7 StepsValidated when: Out of 10 pitch shots, 8 clear the obstacle without hitting it fat or touching the top.

Step 6 →

To be continued

3 minSame problemHitting Over a Tree on the Golf Course: The Club Shaft TrickKarine Icher · Beginner / Intermediate 13 minSame problemA chip shot played like a putt: Jon Rahm's methodJon Rahm · Beginner / Intermediate 8 minFrom the same proBuying a Golf Club: 3 Tips Before Making a ChangeJoël Bernard · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

A typical situation: about 15 yards from the edge of the green, the flag is 13 feet away, and the green is elevated. On a rolling shot, the clubhead stays below knee level and the ball rarely catches the turf. On a pitch shot, The club's edge can dig into the ground. After two fat shots, you get the hang of it and tap along: the spiral begins. The key is to use the club's sole, the bounce (the bounce): If the club hits the ground with the sole, it bounces; if it hits the ground with the edge, it digs in.

The technique consists of three steps. First, turn the face to the right between your fingers, between noon and 1 p.m., closer to 1 p.m., and compensate by aligning yourself slightly to the left. Next, on your practice swings, focus on swing amplitude and speed while feeling the club glide across the grass. Finally, during the swing, have only one intention: slide the club under the ball, rather than hitting the ball. It’s that feeling—more than the actual contact—that builds confidence.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Rotate the clubface in your fingers to the right, between 12 o'clock and 1 o'clock—closer to 1 o'clock—before taking your grip.
Move a little to the left to compensate for this open side.
Practice your shots by finding the right swing length and speed for the distance.
During these test runs, feel the sole glide over the grass without sinking into it.
Play the shot with just one thought in mind: slide the club under the ball.

Key Takeaways

On a pitch shot, the edge of the club that digs into the ground causes the fat shot, followed by the top.

The sole (the "bounce") bounces off the ground; the edge digs into it.

Face turned to the right, toward the 1 o'clock position on a clock face, to improve glide.

An open face can be corrected by aligning slightly to the left.

The intention is to slide the club under the ball, not to hit the ball.

Mistakes to Avoid

Strike with the edge of the club, which digs into the ground.
Hold the position after two fat shots: that's a surefire way to look great.
Focus on making contact with the ball rather than on the sensation of gliding.
Open the face without aligning it slightly to the left.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Test runs: The sole slides across the grass with every step
Facing about 1 o'clock, slightly to the left
About 15 yards from an elevated green, with the flag nearby
Just one thought: to duck under the ball

Your Questions

Why open the clubface on a pitch shot?

Joël Bernard turns the board toward the 1 o'clock position so that the sole touches the ground first. It bounces off the grass instead of letting the edge dig in.

Where should you aim when the face is open?

A little to the left, to compensate for the face being turned to the right. According to him, you get the hang of this adjustment quickly.

What should you keep in mind during the move?

You should slide the club under the ball, not hit the ball. It's the sensation of sliding that you should focus on, not the contact itself.

Why do I tap after hitting it fat?

After two fat shots, you hold back out of fear, and the ball is blocked. By sliding your foot, you break out of this cycle.

Learn More

All “Pitch Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Avoiding Fat and Thin Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Fat Shot from Tipping Back: Right Shoulder Toward the BallThe “gratte aux fers” comes from tilting the upper body backward: the sternum in front of the ball (“right shoulder toward the ball”), controlled by a stick. Hitting Over a Tree on the Golf Course: The Club Shaft TrickPlace the clubface flat in front of the ball, with the shaft pointing toward the obstacle: the angle of the shaft indicates whether the ball will go over or under the trees. Thin Shots and Early Extension: The Chair DrillA thin shot comes from the pelvis moving early toward the ball; to keep your spine angle: a chair against your backside, and Woods' low downswing. Joel BernardAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Joël Bernard). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.