While low-running chip shots are often the most reliable choice around the green, they aren’t always an option. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself in the position where you need to carry the ball over an obstacle — like water, a bunker or even thick rough — in order to land it safely on the green.
In situations like these, a pitch shot is often your best play. However, for many golfers, it’s one of the least comfortable shots to hit, because it can be difficult to execute and control — especially when you’re staring down an intimidating hazard.
But, with a few fundamentals, you can learn how to hit these tricky shots more consistently.
To hit a pitch shot effectively, you’ll need one of your wedges. These high-lofted clubs are designed to launch the ball high and land it softly with minimal roll — thanks to a combination of loft and bounce.
Which wedge you choose depends on the shot’s distance and trajectory, but as a general rule, I tell my students to use their most lofted club for shorter shots, and their lower-lofted wedges for longer pitches. My quick guide below will help you better understand when to use the clubs in your bag:
Lob wedge (58–60 degrees) – Ideal for shorter pitch shots.
Sand wedge (56 degrees) – Great for standard pitch shots.
Gap wedge (50–52 degrees) – Best for longer pitch shots.
Remember, the higher the loft, the higher the ball flight.
The bounce of the club refers to the curved bottom, where the leading edge sits higher off the ground than the trailing edge. This feature allows the club to glide across the turf instead of digging, which gives you more forgiveness on these high-pressure shots around the green.
To set your club face properly — and utilize the bounce — check that the leading edge is slightly off the ground.
One of the most common mistakes I see golfers make is setting the clubface incorrectly at address. Many players unknowingly close the clubface, simply because they don’t actually know what a square face looks like with a lofted wedge.
I often catch myself saying, “square looks open,” when teaching high-launching shots around the green. That’s because, with wedges that have a lot of loft, a properly square clubface can appear open to the untrained eye. Don’t be fooled.
A smart way to ensure your clubface is square at address is to use the leading edge as your reference point. The higher the loft, the more the face may appear crooked or open, when it’s actually square.
Aside from club selection and loft, the main way to control your distance on these shots is with the length of your backswing.
A longer backswing stores more energy, which results in a faster clubhead and more distance. Many golfers underestimate how big a swing is needed for pitch shots, especially because so much energy is used just to launch the ball high.
You can shave strokes off your score by calibrating your short game. A great way to do that is to note the carry distance you get with different swing lengths. And remember, while rollout matters, your first priority should always be clearing the obstacle and landing the ball on the green.
Most golfers don’t realize that to hit that high, floaty pitch shot that lands gently on the green, the clubhead must make contact with the ground. And not just a light brush of the grass — but a distinct “thump” you can hear and feel. This sound is a sign that you’re compressing the ball properly and allowing the club’s loft and bounce to do the work.
Resist the instinct to scoop or lift the ball into the air. Instead, commit to hitting the ground — both in your practice swings and during the real shot.
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