Struggling with short pitch shots? Try this top teacher’s simple keys

A short pitch from 10 yards out should be easy — right? But if you’ve ever faced this shot during a round, you know how tricky it can be. Swing too hard, and the ball sails past the flag. Ease up, or try to get too cute, and it barely makes it through the grass in front of you. 

It’s a shot that requires a bit of feel, precision, and trust in your technique. And with a few keys from Parker McLachlin, a GOLF Teacher to Watch, you can master this shot and boost your confidence around the greens. 

As McLachlin explains in this clip, many amateurs struggle with the 10-yard pitch because they’re unsure of the technique it requires — specifically the motion. 

“They’re not quite sure how far back they’re supposed to take it. They’re not sure how much body engagement they’re supposed to have,” McLachlin says.

It’s understandably confusing. From such a short distance, do you really need to use that much body movement? And without practice, it’s easy to misjudge how big — or small — the length of your swing should be.

In the video, McLachlin demonstrates the move he likes to see on this shot. As he takes the club back, just past knee height, McLachlin emphasizes using his upper body rather than his wrists to drive the motion. 

To help you remember to use that upper body, McLachlin says to think: movement back, movement through.

When it comes to your setup, McLachlin says you only need to remember three things: 

1. Open your clubface slightly

2. Keep your club shaft in a neutral position

3. Set your feet close together 

“This is going to help us have some acceleration and freedom on this shot,” McLachlin says. 

With these handy keys — and a bit of practice — you’ll turn this tricky shot into a trusted part of your short game.

You’ll find more of McLachlin’s advice at ShortGameChef.com, which provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short games. Through personalized tips, drills and expert insights, McLachlin helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.

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