The short 20 to 50 yard pitch shot may be the most difficult shot in golf. Even the pros don’t like this shot although they make it look easy. To watch many amateurs try this shot you would think they are chopping wood with a dull ax rather than trying to hit a golf shot. What do tour pros do that most amateurs don’t to make this shot look so easy? (To find more free golf tips from the tour visit http://www.pga-golf-tour-caddy-guide.com/free-golf-swing-tips.html

If you watch amateurs try this shot they have a lot of movement in their lower body on the backswing and tend to use only hands and arms on the downswing. This results in fat, bladed, or low driving shots with poor outcomes. Consequently many amateurs don’t practice this shot, it’s no fun practicing shots that consistently have poor results. Does this sound familiar?

THE SECRET LIES IN TURNING THROUGH THE SHOT. Most amateurs tend to hit this shot mainly with their arms and hands, if they do use their lower body it’s generally to late during the downswing. Here’s the drill: Select a shot of about 20 yards that needs to be lofted in the air and land softly. Pick your wedge with the most loft, 60 degree if you have one. Set up with a slightly open stance, along with an open club face, and play the ball back in your stance. Place slightly more weight on your front foot (left foot for a right handed player and right foot for a left handed player). Now start the backswing by moving the arms and shoulders only restrict all movement with the hips and legs. Turn until your arms are at the 9 o’clock position and the club pointing to 12 0’clock and stop. At this point simply turn your hips and legs toward your target and let your hands and arms follow. Be sure not to throw your hands or arms at the ball. Just turn the legs and hips the hands will follow.

This may be difficult at first, especially from the stopped position. But once you begin to turn your lower body through the shot properly the ball will pop in the air with very little effort. You will be amazed how easy this shot is to execute with proper technique.

Next time you see a good player hit this shot pay attention to how little movement there is in the lower body during the backswing. Then watch how they rotate the hips and legs through the shot before the hands and arms. Notice how the rotation of the lower body pulls the arms and hands through the shot, resulting in high, lofted, soft shots.

Learn to hit this shot, you will lower your scores, win more money, and have more fun with the game.