Nobody Tells You This About Pitching Onto The Green

Do you often struggle to get the ball to land softly and spin back on short game shots? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, focusing on the fundamentals of setup and body mechanics can significantly improve your chipping and pitching game. In this post, we'll break down essential setup principles and share practical tips to help you hit cleaner, more consistent short game shots.

The Importance of Proper Setup in Short Game

When it comes to short game shots—whether it's chipping, pitching, or bunker play—what matters most is consistent, quality contact with the ball. The best players in the world demonstrate certain common principles in their setup that lead to better results. Regardless of your playing level, mastering these principles can drastically improve your short game performance.

Key Setup Principles for Consistent Short Game Shots
 

Ball Position The first step in executing a solid short game shot is ensuring proper ball position. Many recreational golfers make the mistake of placing the ball too far back in their stance. This causes the club to approach the ball at too steep an angle, resulting in inconsistent contact. The goal is to have the ball positioned closer to the front of the stance, on the inside of your front foot. This allows the club to "brush" the ground, creating a cleaner strike with less digging and more control over the bounce of the club.

Why This Works: When the ball is placed too far back, the clubface tends to dig into the turf, causing fat or thin shots. By positioning the ball more forward, the club has more room to come through and make better contact. This helps you hit higher, softer shots that stop quickly on the green—key for successful short game play.

Drill: Practice positioning the ball on the inside of your front foot, ensuring that the clubface is not too steep. Try hitting a few chip shots with this setup and observe how the ball reacts. You'll notice the difference in trajectory and spin when the ball is correctly placed.

Shirt Buttons Over the Ball A common fault we see among recreational golfers is the tendency to lean back, creating an improper setup where the upper body is too far behind the ball. This position can lead to poor contact, where the club either digs into the ground or fails to make solid contact with the ball.

Why This Works: For optimal short game performance, your upper body should stay slightly ahead of the ball. Align your shirt buttons over the ball at setup, and keep them there throughout the shot. This helps ensure that the club enters the turf with a shallow angle, improving contact and control. Additionally, staying forward with your upper body will prevent your body from "falling back" and creating poor strikes.

Drill: Before you hit the ball, take a few practice swings while focusing on keeping your chest over the ball. This will help you get comfortable with the proper body position. When you’re set up correctly, your weight should feel slightly forward, with about 55% of it on your lead foot. 

Body Pivot and Rotation A common mistake in short game shots is not allowing the body to pivot and rotate. Many golfers make the mistake of keeping their chest still and using just their arms, which can result in poor contact and a lack of distance control. In contrast, a proper body pivot will help you swing with better momentum, leading to more consistent results.

Why This Works: Think of a short game shot as similar to throwing a ball. When you throw a ball, you don’t just use your arm; your body rotates and generates power. The same applies to your short game shots. By allowing your body to pivot and rotate naturally through the shot, you can generate a smoother, more controlled strike. This is crucial for both trajectory and spin control.

Drill: Stand in front of a mirror and practice taking short swings, focusing on turning your chest through the shot. Your hands and club should follow the body’s movement, not act independently. You’ll notice that the shot feels much more fluid and natural, and the ball will land with more spin and control.

Drills to Improve Your Short Game Setup

Ball Position Drill Setup: Place the ball on the inside of your front foot. Execution: Hit a series of chip shots, focusing on making contact with the turf after the ball. Observe how the ball flies when the setup is correct and when it's incorrect.

Shirt Buttons Drill Setup: Position your shirt buttons directly over the ball at address. Execution: Hit a few chips, making sure that your chest stays in front of the ball throughout the motion. Check that you’re not leaning back or swaying during the swing.

Body Pivot Drill Setup: Take a few practice swings, focusing on your body rotation. Execution: As you swing, allow your body to rotate through the shot instead of keeping your chest still. Notice how your weight shifts from your back foot to your front foot during the swing.

Conclusion

Mastering your short game is about more than just technique; it’s about the fundamentals of setup and body mechanics. By focusing on proper ball position, keeping your shirt buttons over the ball, and allowing your body to pivot, you can dramatically improve the quality of your short game shots. Remember, consistency in your setup and execution leads to better ball control, higher soft landings, and more spin, which is crucial around the greens. Incorporate these principles into your practice, and soon you’ll be chipping and pitching with greater confidence and precision.