Pitching to an elevated green

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By Jonathan K

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  • 4 Replies
  1. Jonathan K

    Jonathan K
    Advance, NC

    My handicap typically varies from 0-5 throughout the year. It typically moves upward in the winter months becuase I will play in pretty much anything. I have solid short game but one area I need some improvement is pitching to a green that is elevated. I find that I struggle with getting the distance correct and getting the spin correct. Improving this aspect of my game is a goal for 2016 but I would be interested in hearing some tips for this shot. Thanks in advance.

  2. FJL

    FJL
    Kitchener, ON

    So many variables, here's a link to several situations....

    https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=PITCHING+TO+AN+ELEVATED+GREEN

  3. Ben A

    Ben A
    Los Gatos, CA

    I'm pretty good with that shot. In most cases on a short pitch, my 60* face would be open, but in a shot like that, take practice swings with the face square and find a swing path that glides along the slope of the ground as much as possible. Do no turn, but keep the face square to the target as much as possible. Once you've found it, hit the shot. It is a feel shot, so you have to play it to get the distance right, but it is an easy shot to master, in my opinion and I've holed more of those than I can count. I think it's one of the easiest, since it's on a slope that you can use to your advantage. 

    As far as spin in concerned, you likely won't get any. It is a shot that will roll. 

  4. Travis W

    Travis W
    Jacksonville, FL

    When I first read this thread, I thought only of an elevated green from a level lie, but B.A. seems to be looking at a lie with an upslope toward the elevated green.  An elevated green will shorten a shot as the ball does not have time to finish its entire trajectory.  It will also cause a flatter trajectory into landing, depending on the elevation.  Based on the amount of elevation, I try to visualize how much it will intercept my trajectory, then adjust my swing to compensate for the loss of distance.  Obviously, the longer the pitch, the more loss of distance due to trajectory.  The second concern, as you mentioned with spin, is the landing trajectory of the ball on the green.  This will vary, based on each individual's spin pattern, but I would think that most of it would be resolved by hitting the longer distance shot.  So, if you have a 30-yd pitch to a green that is elevated 20 feet, hit the 35-40 yard pitch.

    From B.A.'s perspective of an uphill lie, I agree.  The easiest way to hit consistent shots is to align the shoulders with the uphill lie, swinging down to up toward the hole.  No need to open the face on this one.  This will definitely hit the ball higher and shorter, landing softly, so you will need to hit it firmer.  Practicing a few shots will give you the feel for the distance you need.

    Hope to join you one day in the +HDCP world.

  5. Spudstarch

    Spudstarch
    Walnut Creek, CA

    Travis W said:

    When I first read this thread, I thought only of an elevated green from a level lie, but B.A. seems to be looking at a lie with an upslope toward the elevated green.  An elevated green will shorten a shot as the ball does not have time to finish its entire trajectory.  It will also cause a flatter trajectory into landing, depending on the elevation.  Based on the amount of elevation, I try to visualize how much it will intercept my trajectory, then adjust my swing to compensate for the loss of distance.  Obviously, the longer the pitch, the more loss of distance due to trajectory.  The second concern, as you mentioned with spin, is the landing trajectory of the ball on the green.  This will vary, based on each individual's spin pattern, but I would think that most of it would be resolved by hitting the longer distance shot.  So, if you have a 30-yd pitch to a green that is elevated 20 feet, hit the 35-40 yard pitch.

    I pretty much agree with Travis here. Trajectory is probably most important as it will determine how much roll out you will get on landing. The thing that makes it hard to practice is that you are often blind to the hole and how the ball reacts when it lands, there's no feedback to learn from. That's where a good imagination comes into play.

    What helps me on these shots is practicing a variety of chip shots on the practice green, just too see how much the ball will roll at flatter trajectories with more or less spin. So when I have a blind uphill shot like that, I can more easily visualize the outcome.

    Another tip is to reduce your variables. If you can keep your spin rate consistent, you only have to worry about trajectory.

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