35 to 55 Yard Pitch Shots: Jean-Baptiste Gonnet
Do your 35 to 55 yard pitches come out fat, thin or short? Jean-Baptiste Gonnet shows—first on a mat, then on grass—his setup, a descending swing with plenty of rotation, distance control through backswing length, and a high pitch over a bunker.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
On a 35 to 55 yard pitch, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet first picks his club: the 58° to lift the ball, the 52° for a lower shot, choking down slightly with a shorter backswing. Since the club is very upright, he stands close to the ball, eyes almost directly over it. He pre-opens his body: left foot, hips and shoulders, because with such a short swing there is no time to clear the hips. Narrow stance, ball in the middle, about 70/30 weight on the lead side, and it stays there. The path moves slightly from the outside toward the inside as it descends, making contact with the ball and then the ground, with a low point after the ball: coming in too much from the inside causes early contact, resulting in a fat shot or a thin shot. Compared to a chip shot, there is a wider swing arc and, above all, more spin after impact. A slight cock of the wrists brings the club into the plane; then the body rotates, without ever trying to lift the ball with the hands.
To hit it farther, he doesn’t swing faster: he controls the length of the backswing, three or four distances per wedge, measured with a rangefinder to find his 35, 45, 55 and 65 yard shots. The finish stays the same, and he accelerates from impact to the finish without ever slowing down. On grass, he takes a small divot after the ball, with the face slightly open and his hands neutral—not ahead of the ball. He lets himself hold the finish with the face open so it doesn’t close, unlike in the full swing. For a high pitch over a bunker, about 35 yards away, he opens his stance and the clubface, keeps his hands neutral, and hits down with speed and spin: the ball rises on its own and lands about 8 feet onto the green.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Choose the 58° to lift the ball, or the 52° with a shorter grip.
- Stand close to the ball with a narrow stance, left foot, hips and shoulders slightly open.
- Place the ball between your feet and shift about 70% of your weight to the left.
- Hinge your wrists slightly so the club comes down steeply.
- Rotate your body to the finish, keeping the club in front of your hands.
- Accelerate all the way to the finish and hold it, with the face open.
- Adjust your distance based on the length of your backswing, never on your swing speed.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to lift the ball with your hands.
- Taking a wide stance that blocks rotation.
- Coming in too far from the inside and hitting the ground before the ball.
- Slowing down at impact, or letting the face close.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Three or four shots per wedge, distances measured with a rangefinder
- 35, 45, 55 and 65 yard pitches with the same held finish
- High pitches with an open face above an obstacle
Your Questions
Which wedge should you choose for a 35 to 55 yard pitch?
Jean-Baptiste Gonnet mainly uses his 58° when he needs to get the ball airborne, and the 52° for a lower shot, by moving his hands down the grip.
How do you adjust the pitch distance?
It’s about backswing length, not speed. He has three or four backswing lengths per wedge and recommends measuring 35, 45, 55 and 65 yards with a rangefinder.
Why do I make fat and thin shots on these shots?
This is often because you're trying to lift the ball or because the club is coming in from too far inside. The lowest point of the swing should be past the ball: weight on the left, club coming down, body rotating.
How do you hit a high pitch over a bunker?
Open your feet and the clubface, keep your hands neutral, then swing down with speed and spin, keeping the clubface open through the finish.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jean-Baptiste Gonnet). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.