Pitching in wet conditions
Posted by Mark Allen
This time of year unfortunately brings wet and muddy conditions, which can also bring in the fat/heavy shot when hitting pitch shots.
The fat shot is when the club-head makes contact with the ground before the ball which then reduces the club-head speed and the ball as a result doesn't travel the full distance, if at all!!.
To reduce the chances of a fat shot the set-up needs to be correct, below are a few points to ensure this:
1) Feet should be narrow, to reduce any chance of a weight shift during the swing, and also slightly open to allow the club to swing on the correct plane in the throughswing,
2) Ball position should be in the middle of the stance which helps to create a ball first contact,
3) Weight should be 70/30 in favour of the front foot to steepen the swing arc and create a ball first contact,
4) Sternum should be at least level with the ball or slightly ahead, this again will help create a steeper swing and a ball first contact,
5) Shoulders parrallel to the target to create a swing path square to the target.
During the swing itself, it is important that the weight remains on the front foot and doesn't sway at all to the back foot.
If all of the set-up points are in place and the heavy shot still happens, it will be due to the weight shifting to the back foot during the back-swing. To help with this I reccommend feeling the upper body cover the ball on the downswing to create a steeper swing arc.
If you would like any further help on pitching or any other area of you game then please come and visit me at Hillsborough Golf Club.
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