Developing a reliable pitch-and-run (a short-game shot that, as its name suggests, mostly carries in the air but with good release once it hits the ground) is a valuable asset that can get you super-close from a variety of greenside situations, even if you have an obstacle to carry. It’s less risky than a lob shot and works perfectly on tricky tight lies.
The setup? Simple: Play the ball in the middle of your stance and make sure the grip on your wedge points at the middle of your sternum. Balance your weight equally over both feet. When you swing, focus on turning your upper body back and through — you don’t need a lot of leg action here. Your upper body is the engine; your arms are just along for the ride.
Practice the feel by putting the grip on your belly and gripping down to the shaft. Then simply rotate your upper body back and through, maintaining the club’s connection to your stomach the whole way. Keeping your arms moving in sync with your torso is what helps produce a crisp strike and shallow launch — and the run-out you need to get the ball all the way to the hole.
As the old cereal commercial used to say, “Try it — you’ll like it!”
Kellie Stenzel is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and is the director of instruction at Dutchman’s Pipe GC in West Palm Beach, Fla.
