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Pitch ShotsPitching WedgesWedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Beginner ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Hank Haney's Sand Wedge Pitch: Open Face and Body

Hank Haney explains the basic pitch—the shot to play near the green when you can neither putt nor chip. The club: the sand wedge. The key: keep the clubface slightly open, letting it open up even more on the upswing so it glides under the ball, with a little body rotation.

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Hank Haney
Hank Haney · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

15 minNext Level UpBall Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by MorikawaCollin Morikawa · Intermediate / Expert5 minNext Level UpHigh-Hands Chip off the Toe: Tiger and SchefflerTiger Woods · Intermediate / Expert1 minFrom the same proOver-rotated finish: Hank Haney's adviceHank Haney · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

When you're near the green and can't putt or chip, you have to pitch. Hank Haney uses the sand wedge, the club with the most open face, whose sole allows the club to slide a little under the ball and allows for a margin of error. The face must be always at least slightly open; you open it more or less depending on the desired height and stopping speed.

At the address, the ball is further forward in the stance than at the chip, his stance is slightly wider, and he holds the club at the end of the grip instead of moving his hands down. On the upswing, the clubface opens up a little more, then slides under the ball as it crosses over. Even on a short shot, The body rotates with the club: The ball rises and comes to rest on the green.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Take the sand wedge.
  2. Open the clubface slightly at address, or open it more if you want a higher shot that stops quickly.
  3. Move the ball forward in your stance compared to a chip shot, and widen your stance slightly.
  4. Hold the club at the end of the grip, without lowering your hands.
  5. On the way up, let the face open up a little more.
  6. During the swing, let the club glide under the ball and rotate your body with it.

Key Takeaways

You pitch when you can't putt or chip.
The sand wedge, with its sole, slides slightly under the ball.
Leave the front slightly open, to a greater or lesser extent depending on the desired height.
Place the ball further forward than for a chip shot, and take a slightly wider stance.
Hold the club at the end of the grip, without lowering your hands.
The body rotates with the club, even on a short swing.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Play the pitch with a square or closed face.
  • Position the ball back as you would for a chip shot.
  • Move your hands down the grip.
  • Keep your body still and play the pitch using only your arms.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Sand Wedge Pitches by Varying the Face Angle
  2. Comparison of a chip shot and a pitch shot
  3. Pitch by letting your body rotate all the way through the finish

Your Questions

What is the difference between a chip and a pitch, according to Hank Haney?

With a chip shot, the ball is positioned farther back; with a pitch shot, it’s positioned farther forward, the stance is slightly wider, and the clubface is open when using a sand wedge to get the ball to rise and stop quickly.

Should you open up your stance for the pitch?

Yes, always at least a little. You open it more or less depending on the desired height and how quickly you want the ball to stop.

What does it mean to hold the club at the end of the grip?

Don't move your hands down the grip: Hank Haney keeps the full length of the club for the pitch.

Learn More

All “Pitch Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Pitching and Wedges” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Wedge Play = Pitching and Chipping” →Find the lesson that's right for you Justin Thomas's chip shot: the “nippy”The “nippy,” a low chip that stops on the second bounce: the ball is played back, the face is shielded by the body, and the three-ball drill (high, medium, low). Ball Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by MorikawaToo much loft at impact causes the ball to rise off the clubface: Morikawa demonstrates how to avoid this with a 40-yard wedge shot, a lob, and an uphill pitch. High-Hands Chip off the Toe: Tiger and SchefflerTiger and Scheffler first assess the lie: if the ball is sitting well, a high chip off the bounce; if the ball is buried, a low chip with hands high, the toe down, and a hook. Hank HaneyAll of his lessons

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

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