Alternative Pitching Techniques

[Pugo]

I've received conflicting advice on pitching and I hope you can clear it up once and for all.

1. The Left Arm: I've been told to extend the left arm toward the target, but others have told me the left arm should stay fairly close to the chest as you rotate the chest toward the target. Which is correct?

2. Follow Through: Some experts in the golf magazines advocate a "pendulum" style where the follow through is roughly the same length as the backswing, as if it were a mirror reflection. On the other hand, other experts have recommended a "hit and resist" type of action, where the follow through extends to the target without a re-hinging of the wrists and is generally lower than the backswing. Which of these methods do you advocate (and why is it superior)?

3. Stance: Open or square? And why? I've heard it both ways.

4. Dominant action: Is the proper pitching action more like a pull by the left arm or an underanded throw by the right hand?

Thanks for your help in clarifying these details.

[Golfbald]

Pugo,

The answers to all of the above are yes they are all correct. I know that seems like a weird answer but let me show you the light.

There are several types of pitch shots from high and soft that stop quickly to low runners that travel mostly like a putt. Pitching is an art unto itself in the game of golf. I have been studing this for years. Let me give you the basics, the long version would take volumes.

High soft shot - The high soft shot is played slightly ahead of center, with a slightly open stance and club face slightly open. This shot is similar to a bunker shot. The weight is 80 - 20 on the left leg through the swing. The swing is accelerated through the ball. Ensure the front edge of the club head is under the ball at address not behind the ball. This will cause a skull!!! The more lofted the club, the higher it will go. Takes alot of practice. Most effective from a flat lie behind a bunker or other obstruction.

Lower running shot - The lower is played slightly back of center. a square stance to slightly open, and square clubface. The weight is again 80 -20 on the left leg. The swing is accelerated through the ball. Ensure the front edge of the club head is under the ball at address not behind the ball. This will cause a skull!!! This shot will take about 1 -2 hops and stop or roll sightly with a distance ball. Most effective from a flat or slight uphill lie clear of obstructions.

A speciality shot I play often I call the Nicklaus spinner. Jack played this in the 80's and is taught on the Golf My Way Video. The setup is a 50-50 weight balance. The grip is different than most shot as it is a weak right hand and a strong left hand the middle fingers are perpendicular to the shaft in the back of the club. The key to the shot is to stand still with the lower body. The ball must be close to the feet, alittle more upright stance. The motion is very wristy. The club will come up quickly and decend at a very steep angle. The ball will come up fast and stop dead. I play this shot all the time close into the greens when I short side myself and have a relatively flat lie. This is a higher percentage shot than the high/soft with some practice. I recommend it for low/mid handicappers that practice their short game alot.

Hopes this helps,

GolfBald