Pitching - Setup - Handle Position

An article by: Bobby Eldridge on 12-17-2007
This article has been read 1663 times.

Pitching Golf Instruction - Setup

We have reached the final set-up position before you start the backswing. Because you placed so much weight on your left side the handle of the golf club has to come with you. You can not leave the handle of the golf club even with the club head; you have to move the handle towards your belt buckle.(#11)

When you move the handle over to the belt buckle you are taking loft off of the clubhead. Do not panic. You are only taking three or four degrees off. If you think the club will not have enough loft for the shot after you take the loft off, simply change clubs. You can use a GAP wedge instead of a pitching wedge, you can use a sand wedge instead of a GAP wedge and you can use a LOB wedge instead of a sand wedge.

With the golf ball positioned anywhere from the center of your stance to the left heel and 70% of your weight on your left heel and the handle of the golf club across from your belt buckle it is time to swing the golf club back.

Because you are in this position the golf club will swing up in the backswing. You have done everything possible to create this angle. The very reason you want the golf club to go up is so it will come down. You know the old adage, what doesn't go up won't come down.

As the golf club swings away from the ball in the backswing and begins to climb up the clubhead will arrive at the top of the backswing (whether it is a small pitch shot or longer pitch shot) in a position that will allow the leading edge of the golf club swing down into the ground and bottom of the golf ball. If you can create this angle, the golf ball will climb up the clubface; begin to spin backwards and with the amount of clubhead speed the golf ball will go up at the moment of impact.

After you have addressed the golf ball if you de-lofted the grip too much, the golf club will not have enough loft to lift the golf ball in the air.(#12)You could also experience digging the leading edge into the ground too much. If you move 70% of your weight onto your left leg then you only have to move the handle a few inches to match up with your belt buckle.

You can continue on to the next series of golf lessons about the pitching backswing. The first lesson in the Backswing series of golf lessons describes what your arms do during the backswing. Or you can view golf lessons on the pitching Downswing, Follow Through, or the Introduction.