When it come to pitching, you can’t do anything about bad lies. Sooner or later you’ll find one. Bad lies can derail your pitch shot. Your best bet is to accept the situation. It’s part and parcel of the game of golf. Then move on. Once you’ve accepted it, you can address the lie. A few simple pitching adjustments are usually all it takes to beat bad lies.
Below are the 5 keys to pitching from bad lies:
1. Select the right club
2. Make a steeper attack
3. Turn and swing to the top
4. Punch down hard
5. Use the contours of the ground
When pitching, just making a few simple adjustments to your stance and swing beats the majority of bad lies.
- Start by selecting the right club. The secret is choosing one that let’s you cut through the back of the ball with the clubhead’s leading edge. From some lies—bare ground, divot mark, or buried—your PW or 9-iron is better than your SW.
- In thick rough you need a steeper angle of attack. To create that angle of attack, position the ball about an inch back from the middle, move your hands well ahead of the clubhead, and place a little more weight on your front foot.
- Make a normal backswing but set your wrists a bit earlier in the takeaway. Also, try to center your weight over the top of the ball. It encourages a sharp descending blow.
- Punch the clubhead down hard into the back of the ball. Transfer most of your weight onto your front foot as you come down. Keep your head over the ball at impact and beyond.
Sometimes you can use the contour of the ground to your advantage. It can help you sweep the ball toward the hole and apply various degrees of spin. Be creative
Not every pitch shot has to drop down from a height of 150 feet (46 m). Work on landing the ball on the green from different heights at different distances. One last tip: Keep the left hand and wrist firm at impact.
