It’s not the sexiest type of golf practice — which is why so many amateurs just don’t work on it — but spending time pitching from within 30 yards can be a key difference maker when it comes to posting lower scores.
As someone who’s up in Canada for a few weeks visiting my wife’s family, I’ve got access to a golf course within a stone’s throw of the house we’re staying at. So each night over the past few days, I’ve taken a few clubs to sneak onto hole No. 2 for a little short game practice.
Since I’m trying to beat the sunset, there’s no use in bombing it off the tee or even playing a full hole, so I just post up about 30 yards from the green and hit all different types of shots.
From funky flop shots to the bump and run, I’ve been experimenting with the clubs I’m most familiar with from this 30-yard mark. From there, I can make a game plan and get comfortable when I find myself in this scenario during my next round — since it’s currently not an area of strength for me.
While I’m just messing around each night to get out of the house, a recent convo with GOLF Top 100 Teacher Dom DiJulia reminded me that everything I do should be intentional — especially when practicing 30-yard pitch shots.
So if you’re looking for ways to become a sniper from within 30 yards, take a look below to read DiJulia’s four simple cues to use.
Use these 4 cues to dial in your 30-yard pitch shots
“Golfers with great touch around the greens know how to stick it close to the pin from 30, 40, or 50 feet,” says DiJulia. “Players with this type of ability near the green can also do the same thing when off the green, routinely hitting it close from 30 yards away or so.”
According to DiJulia, having great touch from the 30-yard mark all comes down to hand-eye coordination.
“The same part of the brain that an infielder uses to throw to 1st base also helps a golfer get the ball close to the hole once they get into the ‘red zone’ on the golf course,” he adds.
Even if you don’t have the best hand-eye coordination, it’s something that can be developed on tricky 30-yard pitch shots near the green — you just need to have visual and mental cues to help, says DiJulia.
“Head to the short game practice area and use four simple cues at the end of your routine — ‘target, ball, to, there,'” he instructs. “Doing this will get you in a rhythm and improve your tempo, ensuring that you’re externally aware of where you’re trying to hit your shot.
“These four cues also force you to commit to the shot, inviting your inner athlete to take over — while allowing you to get out of your own head.”
The image below demonstrates the process to use on 30-yard pitch shots.
1. Target. Once you’re ready to go, take one final look at the target to visualize where you want this ball to go. This will program your brain, telling it exactly what you want to do with the shot.
2. Ball. Once your mind has absorbed the target, look back at the ball, focusing on making ball-first contact to ensure it comes off the clubface clean.
3. To. Use this as a cue to start your swing. It’s essentially your ignition as you’re starting the car’s engine.
4. There. The final cue allows you to hit the ball to your intended target.
While it may seem a bit complicated at first, DiJulia says practicing these four cues on 30-yard pitch shots will help you stay focused, maintain a rhythm, and improve your tempo as you approach the putting surface.
“The use of ‘target-ball’ helps narrow your focus at the last moment before hitting the shot, while also putting a rhythm into your routine,” DiJulia adds. “The use of ‘to-there’ cues your stroke on where to hit the shot, while also improving your tempo — and keeps your eyes on the prize…getting the ball close to the pin.
“When using all four of these cues together, the combination will put you on autopilot, allowing your athleticism to shine.”
