CHIPPING AND PITCHING GOLF LESSON

The short shots around the green are areas where children again can excel, as they do not require great physical strength, but do need a lot of time to devote to short game practice.

For many golfers, not only children, the difference between chipping and pitching it can be confusing.

Keep it simple: a pitch shot is when the ball spends most of its journey in the air, and is therefore played with the lofted clubs, such as 9 iron, Pitching Wedge, Sand Wedge or Lob Wedge.

The pitching action can be best described as a mini golf swing. Play the ball in the middle of the stance, with a little more weight on the front foot.

The starting position for pitching

Allow the wrists to hinge on the backswing and forward swing. The “L“ shape image can help (see Lesson 5). Encourage the child to finish the shot with the chest facing the target.

The pitching action

A chip shot, on the other hand, is when the ball spends most of its journey rolling along the ground, and can be played with any iron, depending on how much or how little you wish the ball to roll when it lands on the green.
The chipping starting position

Play the ball back in the stance, off the back foot. Keep the weight favoring the front foot, and your hands should be ahead of the ball. Try to keep the wrists passive moving the club with the arms and shoulders. Aim to land the ball on the green as soon as possible, and then select the club that will allow the ball to roll the remainder of the way to the hole.

The chipping action

Rupert Hunter – PGA Golf Professional