Improvements on 40-60 yard pitch shots...?

Question

Im a +0.7index, so the game is fairly simple to me. However, there is one shot I have never ever been able to perform with any consistency. what is the proper techinque for hitting the "One hop, Stop" shot that the pros play from this distance? I have tried with a 60* with little success, with a 56* with more spin, but much less predictability, and even a 52*, but that tends to jump, check, and then roll out still. I would like to be able to hit the shot needed to fly a bunker, hit once, and stop from a tight lie. I have tried every ball position as well. What is the proper technique to hit this shot. I feel that hitting this shot well can improve my game by maybe half a stroke...

Answer 1

have you used a softer ball?

Answer 2

You can achieve your shot just by having a consistent swing on each pitch shot 40-60 yards. I do need a little more information, is this from the rough? For rough you need to approach the shot the same way you would a bunker shot. You want to slide under the ball so the best part of a wedge strikes the ball and gives you good loft. SO, if you don't approach it correctly, you will either hit the ball thin and it will not do what you want, or you will hit the top of the club head which will probably go 5 feet or so. From the fairway, it would be an abbreviated approach from what was explained from the rough. Most importantly, pretend you are driving the ball into the ground to get optimum control.

Answer 3

getting the ball to stop dead on the second bounce takes a lot of practice and the technique required is totally different to that of any other golf shot.Place the ball just slightly back in the stance. Attack the ball from a slightly steaper angle and keep the acceleration going right throu the strike.you need to feel like you are hitting the ball with the leading edge of your wedge(I find 56 the best for this shot).You are not sculling it but hitting down and through the middle of the ball. Trust me it takes some getting used to but it will definetly pay off for you.Good Luck

Answer 4

take your 56 degree and barely open the club face. use no lower body on your take back, and hinge your wrists quickly.

then strike downwards steeply and contact the ball just before the ground. The first 10 times you try you'll skull it, but when you get the feel for it they start to check quite nicely. if this doesn't work, go to this site. this is how i learned

Answer 5

Yeah, that's a fairly unforgiving shot. I'm not a scratch golfer but because of my (sometimes poor) ball striking, I get a lot of shortish approach shots also.

Here's my input in case it helps you. I carry a 60*, and it's specifically for these shots. It's 34 3/4" and a D5 swing weight. I like a heavier wedge because it requires less energy to gain momentum. It helps me maintain my tempo which is obviously pretty important to ensure the clean contact you need for this shot.

I open up my feet and hips an inch or two, but not my shoulders. For a higher shot like this one, I will keep my weight about 75% on my left foot all the way through the shot, start to finish. If you'd rather try a lower hop and stop, keeping your weight 75% on your right foot instead keeps it lower, but I'm not really good enough to use it a lot. Good luck.

Answer 6

Go ahead and roll your eyes now...lol....along the same lines as the description of the cut lob...my instructor, an older Irish pro(who is a scratch golf by the way) had me take an inch off my 60 degree and add about 20grams of lead down the shaft, I know sounds ludicris, now for the perfect 40 to 60 yard drop and stop open the face and your stance half swing back and let the weight of the clubhead do the rest. I am a higher handicapper(around a 10) but got there with this shot. Most would consider it a difficult shot but with the modifications that he helped me with Im truly deadly with that shot. Good luck.

Answer 7

Practice.  It's a feel shot.  I'm not a low handicap player, but my short game is my strong suit.  Try gripping down on one of those wedges.  I'm sure you're putting the ball in the back of your stance.  The Pro V1 has a soft cover so you could try flying the ball all the way to the hole using a higher trajectory.  It should land soft and not roll too much after it lands.  I use the Nike One Black and it has a higher spin rate than the Pro V1.  When I execute it properly it hops and stops.  Sometimes, it just stops.

Answer 8

Try the cut lob shot.  You can find more detailed instructions in his short game bible.  Mind you this is not my go to shot, I am a links style bump and runner.  

Take your 60* [assuming the bounce is low] and open it a quarter turn.  The club face is open but not fully flat.  Open your stance and take a 1/2 backswing at 3/4 speed and pick the ball off of the turf.  [Since you are better than scratch this should not be hard] Make sure that you keep your tempo and bring the club to a full followtrhough.  

The shot should by high and soft.  The ball will stop not because of spin but because of trajectory.  Since I am a mid handicapper I only try this shot from the first cut of rough due to the extra cushion I get there.