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Pitching WedgesWedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Intermediate ⏱ 6 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

One-Handed Pitching: The Drill for 20 to 65 Yards

Between 20 to 65 yards, many amateurs rely solely on their arms, try to lift the ball, and keep their heads still. The result: fat and thin shots. Paul Lambersens suggests changing your approach and hitting one-handed pitches to engage your entire body.

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Paul Lambersens
Paul Lambersens · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.
Schedule · Step 4 of 7Master Your Short Game in 7 StepsValid when: At 45 yards, 6 out of 10 balls remain on the green.
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To be continued

6 minNext Level UpSpin on Approaches: Slide the Sole of the WedgeSimon Camirand · Expert5 minSame problemJustin Rose's Tips for Making More BirdiesJustin Rose · Intermediate3 minFrom the same pro4 Exercises to Improve Swing Speed in GolfPaul Lambersens · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Pitching refers to approaches of approximately 20 to 60 m, just above a simple chip. The mistake that Paul Lambersens sees time and time again on the course combines three bad habits: playing with with just their arms, to want to lift the ball “with a spoon” and keep your head completely still. You scratch the ball because you stay frozen in place, or you tap it because you're trying to lift the ball without hitting it directly.

The key lies in your intention: you don't want to hit the ball up into the sky, but forward, fairly low, just like the pros on TV. To get a feel for it, he suggests hitting pitches with just one hand on the wedge—first the right hand, then the left. With one hand, your whole body needs to move and open up toward the target, and the club will naturally find the right path. The balls fly low and stop quickly because they’re struck cleanly and generate plenty of spin. You then switch back to using both hands with the same body movement.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Choose a spot with some grass—not too short—and a wedge.
  2. Hold the club with your right hand only and take a few short pitches, letting your whole body rotate toward the target.
  3. Look for a ball that travels low and forward.
  4. Try it again using only your left hand, and see where the club naturally comes to rest.
  5. Swing the club with both hands, in the same spot, using the same body movement.
  6. Gradually increase the distance.

Key Takeaways

Pitching covers distances of approximately 20 to 65 yards.
Arms alone, a raised ball, and a still head produce fat and thin shots.
The goal is to hit the ball forward, not up into the air.
The entire body works in unison and moves freely toward the target.
Swinging with one hand requires finding the right angle.
A low, well-struck ball stops faster.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Move your arms without moving your body at all.
  • Try to lift or “scoop” the ball.
  • Keep your head completely still.
  • Put the club in a position from which it is impossible to get back to the ball.
  • Start the exercise with one hand on 55-yard pitches.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Series of short pitches using only the right hand
  2. Same series, left hand only
  3. Then, using both hands, perform the same body movement
  4. Aim for a low trajectory that stops quickly

Your Questions

Why give one-handed pitches?

Because with just one hand, your arms can’t do everything on their own: your whole body has to work together to send the ball forward. The exercise also helps you find the right stance, because with just one hand, the club can’t swing back if it’s positioned incorrectly.

Should we try to move the ball up the court?

No. Paul Lambersens insists: the goal is to hit the ball forward, fairly low. It’s paradoxical, but it stops faster because it’s struck better.

Which hand should I start with?

The video starts with the right hand, then moves on to the left hand, which is often more difficult for a right-handed person.

Where should this exercise be done?

On grass that’s fairly thick—not too short, otherwise it makes the work even harder. And start with short distances: 55-yard one-handed pitches are tricky.

Learn More

All “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 Spin on Approaches: Slide the Sole of the WedgeTo counter a steep angle of attack: spin is generated by the sole sliding along the ground, guided by the clubhead toward the inside of the front thigh. Wedge Pyramid: Raphaël Jacquelin's Pre-Shot RoutineRaphaël Jacquelin's pre-shot routine: a pyramid of wedges ranging from 30 to 100 m, verified by radar, with fixed distances based on the wedge, grip length, and swing amplitude. Where the Chip Lands: A Lesson from the FFGolfBasic chip shot based on the landing spot, 1 to 1.50 m from the green: a slightly downward strike controlled by a club on the ground, followed by a flight/roll calibration. Paul LambersensAll of his lessons

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