Pitch ShotsPitching WedgesRange PracticeWedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Expert / Intermediate ⏱ 9 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Jordan Spieth's Pitch with Three Trajectories

Name: Jordan Spieth's Pitch with Three Trajectories
Uploaded: 2024-03-29T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 8 min 30 s
Channel: Jordan Spieth
Description: Standing in front of the same flag, Jordan Spieth plays three different pitches: a low one that bounces and then stops sharply, a standard one, and a high one that stops quickly. He demonstrates what changes at address, what never changes, and how he trains to always have a shot up his sleeve.

Standing in front of the same flag, Jordan Spieth plays three different pitches: a low one that bounces and then stops sharply, a standard one, and a high one that stops quickly. He demonstrates what changes at address, what never changes, and how he trains to always have a shot up his sleeve.

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Jordan Spieth · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

14 minSame problemRickie Fowler's Wedge Backspin: When to Try ItRickie Fowler · Intermediate / Expert 15 minSame problemBall Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by MorikawaCollin Morikawa · Intermediate / Expert 2 minFrom the same proJordan Spieth's Low Wedge: A Bounce, Then It Slows DownJordan Spieth · Expert

What the lesson shows

For Jordan Spieth, the common thread among the three shots is the weight on the front leg (60 to 70%), which remains stationary during the swing: this is what places the lowest point in front of the ball. He controls the height mainly with the loft of the clubface at impact, not by shifting his weight. For the low shot, he keeps the clubface slightly open for spin, positions the ball slightly back, widens his stance and swing arc, and lets his hands lead: two bounces, then the ball slows down. The standard shot is played with the ball in the middle, an open clubface, and a slight “cut” swing. For the high shot, he adds a bit of wrist action and lets the loft come back at impact, keeping his hands in front at all times.

The mistake made by beginners who try to drive the ball: shift one's weight backward, which brings the low point behind the ball. Spieth also emphasizes reading the lie: if it doesn’t allow for the desired shot, he moves on to another option. During practice, he places balls every three feet (about 1 m) along the line to the hole and uses them as successive landing zones, from the shot that rolls the farthest to the one that flies the highest.

The Exercise, Step by Step

First, look at the lie and ask yourself what kind of shot it really allows.
Place about 60 to 70 percent of your weight on your front leg and keep it there throughout the movement.
For a low, biting shot: keep your face slightly open, position the ball a little back, take a wider stance, keep your hands forward, and slide under the ball.
For the standard shot: ball in the middle, open stance, slight “cut” motion, hands leading.
For a high shot: same weight, wide stance, add a little wrist action, and let the loft return at impact.
Make sure you hit the ball first and that the low point remains in front of it.
Choose, then play to your heart's content: if you miss, you'll get another chance.

Key Takeaways

60–70% of your weight remains on your front leg, regardless of the shot.

Height is adjusted by the loft of the clubface at impact, not by the weight.

Low swing: ball positioned slightly back, wider stance and arc, hands leading.

High swing: a little wrist action, loft released at impact, low point always in front of the ball.

The referee decides: if he calls a move off, we choose another one.

Total commitment: Fear ruins the connection.

Mistakes to Avoid

Shift your weight back to lift the ball: the lowest point goes behind you.
To persist with a move that the position does not allow.
Straighten up during the swing and make contact with the ball in the lower grooves.
Playing on the fear of failure instead of taking the plunge.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

A target hole 10 to 15 yards from the green, with balls placed every meter to mark landing zones
First shot: the lowest; last shot: the highest
A three-ball game around the green with a maximum total distance to the hole
Stay low over the ball to avoid thin shots

Your Questions

Why keep your weight forward even when hitting a high shot?

Jordan Spieth explains that shifting his weight back positions the low point behind the ball. He keeps about 60% of his weight forward and generates height by adding a little wrist action and letting the loft come through at impact.

How do you get a low pitch to stop?

Face slightly open for spin, ball positioned a little further back, wider stance and swing arc, hands leading: the ball bounces once or twice and then slows down.

What is the purpose of the exercise with balls placed every meter?

Each ball marks a landing zone. You start by landing on the closest one with a ground stroke, then work toward the hole with shots that are progressively higher or more cut. It gives you a feel for the ground and the green's response.

What should you do if the terrain doesn't allow for the desired path?

Change your shot. For Spieth, unless the slope is extreme, there’s always an option for getting the ball closer to the hole: you have to choose it and then play it without fear.

Learn More

All “Pitch Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Pitching and Wedges” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Practice” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All videos on “Wedge Play = Pitching and Chipping” →Find the lesson that's right for you Matsuyama's one-handed drill: his key to the wedgeMatsuyama begins his practice sessions with one-handed approaches—first with his left hand, then with his right—to “guide” the ball onto the clubface and connect his short game with his long game. Chipping from Tough Lies: Advice from Min Woo LeeFor Min Woo Lee, the key to the chip shot is the contact: a neutral path, a shortened grip, the ball positioned back on the clubface, and specific practice on poor lies. Rickie Fowler's Wedge Backspin: When to Try ItRickie Fowler demonstrates the "biting" pitch—a lie that stays open—and, most importantly, when to play it: only if the lie allows it; otherwise, go for the simple shot. Jordan SpiethAll of his lessons

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