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Pitch ShotsGripPitching WedgesWedge play = Pitching and Chipping Wedges Intermediate ⏱ 8 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Shane Lowry's High, Soft Pitch: Face Before Grip

For a long time, Shane Lowry hit his short pitches too low and too hard. He figured out the cause on his own at the driving range: he was opening the clubface after gripping the club. He demonstrates how he sets up for a soft lob shot, and then shows what changes for a lower approach shot that rolls toward the hole.

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Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

15 minSame problemBall Climbing Up the Wedge Face: 3 Shots by MorikawaCollin Morikawa · Intermediate / Expert18 minSame problemBump-and-run and flop shot: three shots around the greenPaige Spiranac · Intermediate2 minFrom the same proShane Lowry's Driver Setup: Tee, Ball and Range PracticeShane Lowry · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

For a high, soft pitch, Shane Lowry Open the front panel to get a grip on it. When he did the opposite, his grip became too strong and the ball flew low and hard. This way, his left hand remains weaker, and the ball rises higher and falls more gently. He holds the club with a a rating of about 5 out of 10, even under pressure, even though the natural tendency is to grip tighter. He breaks his wrists fairly early on the backswing, then let the club drop behind the ball: He isn't trying to pick up speed; it's the length of the backswing that creates the speed. He takes very few divots.

For a flag one more down the fairway, he wants a lower shot with a little more spin. He moves the ball back into his stance, close the clubface slightly and play it like a small draw, from the inside, striking the ball a little lower. The ball heads toward the hole and rolls like a putt, giving it a better chance of going in than a high pitch that curves from left to right. He chooses a landing spot—in this case, about two meters onto the green. Other habits: a practice swing to get a feel for the shot, starting the swing as soon as his eyes return to the ball, and cleaning the clubface after every shot.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Take a practice swing to get a feel for the shot and figure out where the ball will land.
  2. Open the face to the desired height, and then simply take your grip.
  3. Hold the club with a grip pressure of about 5 out of 10.
  4. Swing back while bending your wrists early on.
  5. Let the club drop behind the ball without trying to speed it up.
  6. Look at the target, and start as soon as your eyes return to the ball.
  7. For a lower shot, move the ball back, close the clubface slightly, and hit a slight draw from the inside.

Key Takeaways

Open the clubface first, then take your grip: your left hand remains weaker.
Grip pressure of about 5 out of 10; do not squeeze any harder under pressure.
Speed comes from the length of the backswing, not from deliberate acceleration.
For a lower ball: position the ball farther back, keep the clubface less open, and hit a slight draw from the inside.
Stay above the ball for only a short time so you don't tense up.
Clean grooves for consistent spin.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Take the grip, then open the clubface: the grip becomes too strong, and the ball flies low and hard.
  • Grip the club tightly when under pressure.
  • Trying to throw faster on a soft pitch: the ball comes out too fast.
  • To stand over the ball for a long time, thinking.
  • Playing with dirty grooves.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. A series of high pitches, opening up the front of the grip with each pitch
  2. Checking the grip pressure at 5 out of 10
  3. Same target, alternating between a high pitch and a low approach with the ball set back
  4. Face cleaned between each shot

Your Questions

Why open the front panel to remove the grip?

Lowry noticed that when he opened his clubface after taking his grip, his grip became too strong and his pitches came out low and hard. When he did it the other way around, his left hand remained looser and the ball flew higher and more gently.

Should you speed up on a high pitch?

Not this time. He thinks that when you try to speed up, you hit the ball too hard. The speed comes from the length of the backswing, and then he lets the club drop behind the ball.

What does Lowry change to achieve a longer, lower trajectory?

He positions the ball back in his stance, closes the clubface slightly, and hits a slight draw from the inside. The ball rolls toward the hole like a putt.

Why is he staring at the target so much?

It's become a habit, just like with putting: he starts as soon as his eyes return to the ball. Staying over the ball too long would make him tense up.

Learn More

All “Pitch Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Grip” 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 Bump-and-run and flop shot: three shots around the greenAround the green, there are two techniques: the bump-and-run with your shoulders (without using your hands), and an open face with hands free for downhill chips and flop shots. Lee Trevino's 35-yard pitch: the left hip30-40-yard pitch: ball set back, hands above the shoe, left hip driving the club. Trevino sweeps the ball without hitting down on it. 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. Shane LowryAll of his lessons

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

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