Straight-Arm Pitch Shot

Recently, I read an online article. I think it was Golf Digest about a new pitch shot that PGA tour players have been using this year. I think Adam Scott used it successfully this year in the U.S. Master’s. I gave it a try myself. I liked it. I used it with some of my students with some success, especially players who were struggling with that short pitch shot where they need a little bit of height and the ball landing soft in the green. And the other players who had inconsistency in their impact also liked it, so I’d recommend you give it a try. It’s very simple; they call it the straight arm pitch. So, the difference is in the back swing.  We keep both left and right arm straight with very little wrist movement; it will feel quite wooden. That’s why I would maybe only play it from 40 meters, 40 yards and inside. The rest of the technique would be the same. The same basics of address; square stance, ball centered, a little left. I just move my chest towards the target, so there’s a little bit of weight on my left foot. I grip the club at full length, and I’ll adjust the club face depending on the shot that I’m going to play – very similar distance from the ball from a regular shot. Then I keep my arm straight. As I rotate my chest, keeping my arms in front of the body. That’s a key point. It’s a great way to shallow out your swing, helping you use the bounce of the club. A great way to keep some loft in the club. and that’s why it helps that soft landing pit shot. So, it goes like this. I’ve put it into my own game; I’d like you to give it a try yourself. I think it’s a good new shot and one that will help most players.