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  • #1

    Punch rather than Pitch

    Course management is an issue for me at present. The full wedge shot and pitch have been my bug bare.

    Have had a good friend (low marker) work with me on my game and very recently made a suggestion which I'd like to share with you.

    When the 40m - 60m shot permits, punch it with a slight cut rather than using the pitch shot. This is the percentage shot rather than trying to hit a high ball in.

    We went out onto the course today where he showed me what he does. This is the percentage shot - 9 times out of 10 it's on the green. Even if hit poorly.

    Try it - when permitting, ie, pin position and hazards etc.

    Use a s/w, p/w or 9 iron.

    If a full wedge shot is required try using a punch shot with the 9 iron. If a pitch is required try using a punch shot with your s/w, g/w or p/w.

    Stand slightly open at address but the club face at the target. Swing on plane with your shoulders and feet - it will feel like your cutting the ball.

    This is something I have done before but have never considered it to be a regular shot to play, until now.

    Let me know how you get on.
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  • #2
    Re: Punch rather than Pitch

    I have seen this type of shot used to great effect by my father-in-law, where the ball scampers up on the green.

    I've tried it and it just isn't me. I prefer a 3/4 wedge (pitch/gap/sand) for those 100 yards and in shots and I never try to hit a wedge with a full swing. Mainly as my bad shot with a full swing wedge is a nasty thin that travels about twice as far as it should (there are few things more depressing than a 200 yard wedge shot that sails over the green!).

    The only time I use this shot is when it's very windy, for obvious reasons.

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    • #3
      Re: Punch rather than Pitch

      I'm with you, BRS. I have no confidence in my chipping, but love the 7:30 swing to pitch with. The only thing I often forget about is the rollout that's inevitable. I'll find myself with a 30 yard pitch to the pin, and hit my 28 yard carry shot... only to watch my ball roll by and give me a 12 or 15 footer. D'OH! But I'm getting better...

      What a game... so much to think about - lie, wind, slope, carry, roll, bug on my ball, dirt on my ball, spot on my shoe, I can hear that bird, why is that guy yelling... sorry - I get distracted.

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      • #4
        Re: Punch rather than Pitch

        We all know that with the pitch and full wedge shot accuracy is paramount.

        Yesterday was the first round of golf I've played executing/considering the punch before the pitch or full wedge shot.

        I found it to be the percentage shot. It's amazing, hits the deck, a hop and it stops dead. It was on the dance floor.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Punch rather than Pitch

          Hello
          I have enjoyed reading this thread and there have been some sound points put across.
          There is another time that i like to use this type of shot. when i am off the fairway and in the trees ( it happens ) , i like to punch the ball out, playing the ball of my back foot, this way the ball flight stays low( becuase the club has been delofted by moving it back in stance) and allows me to escape without hitting any low hanging tree branches.

          Silas.
          Last edited by silas; 07-26-2006, 02:12 PM.

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          • #6
            Re: Punch rather than Pitch

            Silas,

            What club do you use to get out of the woods?

            When I need distance I use my 3 wood to punch it out. If no distance is required and placement is paramount, I use my 7 iron or 19*hybrid.

            Nicole

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Punch rather than Pitch

              Hi Nicole,

              Great thread............this is a shot I use everytime I play......I stand with my feet approx six to eight inches apart slightly open and just a half a backswing with a full body turn through gives a powerfull punchy swing.

              I like to thump an 8 iron from 100yds especially if the lie is a bit poor...........ball below my feet etc or a windy day.

              Just to add, I like the same type of shot from 20yds with a wedge, just a short punch gives loads of backspin on the second or third bounce just to bring the ball to an abrupt stop.


              Ian xxoo

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Punch rather than Pitch

                I think its a preference thing

                My father in law plays this shot whenever he's anywhere within 150 yards of the green and he's darn good at it. A half punch with a lower club (i.e. if he's 120 out he'll hit a low punch with a 7 or 6). I tried it a while back but I just couldnt get the distance control down and theres too many variables for me especially like as now when the fairways are like runways and youre never sure what sort of bounce or kick the ball might get

                Im back to floated wedges and short irons but on the rock hard fairways im finding it nigh on impossible to get any backspin

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                • #9
                  Re: Punch rather than Pitch

                  I sort of "discovered" this shot a few days ago when I was on the range and just decided to try something new. From 80 yds I'd usually hit a 3/4 SW but instead I tried the "cut punch" with a 9I, I can see how this is the shot in windy conditions, rellay kept a beeline to the flag. However, it seems a tad difficult to control distance. From 80 yds I want to be down in two at least 50% of the time and some shots ended up 5 yds long or short. I realize I need to develop touch and feel for those shots, so I'm curious, those of you who use it, how good is your distance control?

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Punch rather than Pitch

                    i've just started experimenting with this shot on my home club. 1 par3 in particular plays anywhere from 120 - 150. so for me PW to 8i.... but lately i've been trying the 7i pitch at about 70% and have had better results in hitting the green than going a full shot hitting it high in the air where it gets affected by wind. a miss left is water so hitting high you almost have to start it on the water so the wind brings it back.

                    i've also had 80m shots in where i'll play a 56degree at about 85%, keeping the ball low and spinning like god knows what. shot description feels like i'm really pushing through the ball on the ground and it just shoots out.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Punch rather than Pitch

                      Originally posted by vp27519 View Post
                      Course management is an issue for me at present. The full wedge shot and pitch have been my bug bare.

                      Have had a good friend (low marker) work with me on my game and very recently made a suggestion which I'd like to share with you.

                      When the 40m - 60m shot permits, punch it with a slight cut rather than using the pitch shot. This is the percentage shot rather than trying to hit a high ball in.

                      We went out onto the course today where he showed me what he does. This is the percentage shot - 9 times out of 10 it's on the green. Even if hit poorly.

                      Try it - when permitting, ie, pin position and hazards etc.

                      Use a s/w, p/w or 9 iron.

                      If a full wedge shot is required try using a punch shot with the 9 iron. If a pitch is required try using a punch shot with your s/w, g/w or p/w.

                      Stand slightly open at address but the club face at the target. Swing on plane with your shoulders and feet - it will feel like your cutting the ball.

                      This is something I have done before but have never considered it to be a regular shot to play, until now.

                      Let me know how you get on.
                      Nice one Nicole,

                      Any club for any shot. Opens up all sorts of possibilities and we can truly "play".

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Punch rather than Pitch

                        I really like punching the ball rather than pitching it whenever possible. Here is what I try to do.

                        Learn to punch an 8-iron around 80 yards.

                        Go up or down your irons 10 yards per club and you can punch your 5 iron - 56-degree sand wedge from 110 yards down to 40 yards with the same exact swing. Each iron now has two different distances, it's like doubling the clubs in your bag.

                        Try it, and I bet it improves your game.

                        Comment

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