Are you hitting accurate pitches and chips to the green? Anyone can get to within striking distance of the green, but it is what we do from there on that is important dont you think? Firstly, you must never quit on the shot. This means decelerate the club head speed as it gets near the ball. It is essential that you hit your chips and pitches with the same club head speed every time. Shorter shots need a shorter back swing, but the club head speed remains the same for every shot that you pitch or chip towards the pin. T becomes obvious that the longer the back swing, the more club speed is generated as the club head travels further before it hits the ball. However, the swing speed is constant. For example to emphasise my point, if you take your club back only 1 foot, the ball will not go very far, will it? A back swing to 9-0-clock will send the ball much further. The swing speed for both distances remains constant. If you do not like to stop your club head at 9-0-clock on the back swing, then by all means take a full swing, and hit softer. However, I repeat, the club head speed has to be constant. The same principle as when you are putting. The putter blade speed is constant, isnt it? To hit a longer put you take the putter back a few inches more. Your judgement of distance is great when you have mastered this, isnt it? The same with your pitch shots. When you have mastered this very important principle, you will be delighted with the feel you will develop around the greens. The only other must is that you must WATCH the ball. Keep your head down until the ball is well on its way. What ever you do, see the divot before looking up. |
