30yd Pitch Stopping on a Dime - How??

[Flogger]

I watched Ben Curtis hit this amazing pitch shot on Sunday. I believe he was approx 30 yds to the left of the green on another tee block with very little green to work with. He hit what looked like to be a relatively low pitch shot (only because I expected to see a flop) and the thing hopped once and stopped. Amazing. I don't recall seeing him take any noticable divot either.

I'd love to know how to hit a 30 -50yd pitch that can check like that.

I assume there are many variable such as ball type, fairway and green conditions, club grooves??, talent :( .

Can anyone hit that shot on these semi pirvate GTA courses? Courses like Lakeridge, Royal Ashburn, etc.

If you can pls tell us how.

[Grass Roots Tour]

This shot is much easier if the ground under the ball is quite firm. Then you MUST pinch the ball forcing it up the face. You must get the ball clean (no grass between the club and ball) at impact. I would think this requires a soft ball (Pro V1, Hogan Tour Deep, etc).
Try this shot off hard pan, you'll be surprised how much it spins.
Also try to spin one out of a bunker 50 yards away. Hit the ball first, no sand like normal greenside shot. This one comes in low and spins A LOT.

I got a new Titleist Mill Spin wedge. I am, for the first time ever, impressed by how much spin I get compared to last years Cleveland.

[McBogey]

Honestly, you need the right equipment, you have to find a TOUR SPEC SW on Ebay or if you know your local eqipment(Titlesit, Taylor Made Y cutter wedges) supplier, I bought a set of Tommy Armour 845m Silverbacks from Paul Goydos and I suck it back anywhere between 8-45ft, of course depends on green slope.
The eqipment that you and i buy off the shelf is not the same as the tour pros use.

[tjhayko]

This shot is much easier if the ground under the ball is quite firm. Then you MUST pinch the ball forcing it up the face. You must get the ball clean (no grass between the club and ball) at impact. I would think this requires a soft ball (Pro V1, Hogan Tour Deep, etc).
Try this shot off hard pan, you'll be surprised how much it spins.
Also try to spin one out of a bunker 50 yards away. Hit the ball first, no sand like normal greenside shot. This one comes in low and spins A LOT.

I got a new Titleist Mill Spin wedge. I am, for the first time ever, impressed by how much spin I get compared to last years Cleveland.

Interesting. I've actually done this once out of bunker a lot closer than 50 yards, and it stopped dead. Too bad I didn't know how I did it at the time.

[GRT SUPERSTAR]

This shot is much easier if the ground under the ball is quite firm. Then you MUST pinch the ball forcing it up the face. You must get the ball clean (no grass between the club and ball) at impact. I would think this requires a soft ball (Pro V1, Hogan Tour Deep, etc).
Try this shot off hard pan, you'll be surprised how much it spins.
Also try to spin one out of a bunker 50 yards away. Hit the ball first, no sand like normal greenside shot. This one comes in low and spins A LOT.

I got a new Titleist Mill Spin wedge. I am, for the first time ever, impressed by how much spin I get compared to last years Cleveland.
If you're really good, hit 3-wood.

[Grass Roots Tour]

If you're really good, hit 3-wood.
Whatever.

[Special_K]

I assume there are many variable such as ball type, fairway and green conditions, club grooves??, talent :( .



If you can pls tell us how.
Yep, not only do you have to hit it properly, equipment plays a huge role. Grooves on the wedge and a high end ball combined with proper technique will get you that spin on a 30yd pitch.

[laxgolf]

Get yourself a Y cutter and Hogan Apex Tour ball. If you can't spin a ball back with that combo you should take up another game. Equipment has ALOT to do with it.

[McBogey]

just to show you what I am talking about check out this Ebay auction
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7164233851&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Item has already been sold, hope I amhttp://www.geocities.com/bullsmjsp2333/overview_outside.jpg not breaking any rules.

[Flogger]

Interesting, I've often wondered if my 4 year old wedges are starting to "wear" out a little. I play them alot. It's only been the last few years that I've really been focusing on the finer aspects of how to improve the short game (yes, I know...should've been doing that long ago. Got obsessed with the long ball and towering irons... sucker :().

Besides, I've been looking for some justification to spend a few bucks on some new golf equipment. TGN Rocks :D .

[Mok]

the Y symbol is on the other side of the club
http://www.geocities.com/bullsmjsp2333/y_symbol.jpg

[laxgolf]

Interesting, I've often wondered if my 4 year old wedges are starting to "wear" out a little. I play them alot. It's only been the last few years that I've really been focusing on the finer aspects of how to improve the short game (yes, I know...should've been doing that long ago. Got obsessed with the long ball and towering irons... sucker :().

Besides, I've been looking for some justification to spend a few bucks on some new golf equipment. TGN Rocks :D .
I typically replace my GW and SW every year. Having sharp and clean grooves is critical.

Apparently Y-Cutters are coming to retail this summer. Hope it's true.

[KaiShin]

I typically replace my GW and SW every year. Having sharp and clean grooves is critical. Is there a big difference between regrooving my wedges and buying new ones? Or is it worth it to just buy new wedges when your old ones have worn out?

[laxgolf]

Is there a big difference between regrooving my wedges and buying new ones? Or is it worth it to just buy new wedges when your old ones have worn out?
I've never regrooved wedges so I don't know. Sorry. Anyone else?

[McBogey]

Is there a big difference between regrooving my wedges and buying new ones? Or is it worth it to just buy new wedges when your old ones have worn out?Well, yes there is a big difference between tour spec sw and getting it regrooved, tour spec = right to the maximum thickness and depth.
But I am hearing that the new TITLEIST SPIN MILLED SW are very close.

[mikemakeitso]

If you're really good, hit 3-wood.
*laughing* - Sorry dude... only our posse can say that about GRT.

[mikemakeitso]

This shot is much easier if the ground under the ball is quite firm. Then you MUST pinch the ball forcing it up the face. You must get the ball clean (no grass between the club and ball) at impact. I would think this requires a soft ball (Pro V1, Hogan Tour Deep, etc).
Try this shot off hard pan, you'll be surprised how much it spins.
Also try to spin one out of a bunker 50 yards away. Hit the ball first, no sand like normal greenside shot. This one comes in low and spins A LOT.

I got a new Titleist Mill Spin wedge. I am, for the first time ever, impressed by how much spin I get compared to last years Cleveland.
Interesting... I've learned a great deal from this site...

[Big Shooter]

Thanks for the INFO....:)

....Great question too....

I've had the same experience from an uphill lie in a bunker, and know what it feels like, it's just that I can never seem to "do it on command"...it seems, as some of you described, that you MUST almost 'accidentally/inadvertently' make contact with the ball in the bunker as opposed to the sand, to acheive the desired 'backspin' (goes against everything Dave Pelz, and all of those instructions in Golf mags teach...but then again, they're 'speaking to' a higher handicapper, and trying to show the basics, I guess?!)

I have also seen/felt as GRT described, the ball 'checking' when I hit the ball on a tight-lie with no divot...and I guess, if I was to be using a 'quality wedge' i.e. Vokey, Rac, CG along with a Pro V1?:confused: I would get actual backspin too??:confused: Does it matter what loft wedge?:confused: I have a 52, 60 and 64 (Goliath 'Nike' knock-off, Jazz Fat Cat, and Wilson Harmonium respectively)

What other BALLS would work, not looking to spend a fortune on balls, but I will spend the money on the wedge(s)?!:confused:

[tjhayko]

*laughing* - Sorry dude... only our posse can say that about GRT.

Yeah, buddy, you don't want group of angry lefties showing up at your play for stomping on our turf :rofl:

[tjhayko]

Thanks for the INFO....:)

....Great question too....

I've had the same experience from an uphill lie in a bunker, and know what it feels like, it's just that I can never seem to "do it on command"...it seems, as some of you described, that you MUST almost 'accidentally/inadvertently' make contact with the ball in the bunker as opposed to the sand, to acheive the desired 'backspin' (goes against everything Dave Pelz, and all of those instructions in Golf mags teach...but then again, they're 'speaking to' a higher handicapper, and trying to show the basics, I guess?!)

I have also seen/felt as GRT described, the ball 'checking' when I hit the ball on a tight-lie with no divot...and I guess, if I was to be using a 'quality wedge' i.e. Vokey, Rac, CG along with a Pro V1?:confused: I would get actual backspin too??:confused: Does it matter what loft wedge?:confused: I have a 52, 60 and 64 (Goliath 'Nike' knock-off, Jazz Fat Cat, and Wilson Harmonium respectively)

What other BALLS would work, not looking to spend a fortune on balls, but I will spend the money on the wedge(s)?!:confused:

I've actually also done it with an 8 iron on an approach (unintentionally, of course) with a Laddie Precept, so I don't think the ball need to be a pricey one, just one with a reasonably soft cover. The greens were quite soft that day as it rained the night before, but it was still pretty cool :)

[golfinseb]

Rev tour, Callaway Blue, Pro V, One Gold I have personally used all of these balls and spun them back hard. I would say the most I have seen a ball move on the green is 10-15ft back from the landing position.

Going to a cheaper ball what I have found is the ball will bounce once than stop, or roll forward only a tiny amount (ie stop within 2 ft of the landing point).

You don't really need to do anything special, just a good decending blow that catches the ball clean and pinches against the turf. I'm not super skilled by any means, but I have found I am able to this the harder I hit the ball. For short pitches and chips to stop, I will push hard through the ball right at impact. It takes some practice, but you can see the difference in the balls reaction once you get it down right, otherwise use a flop shop :)

[Big Shooter]

Tried it today, from a tight-lie (Bradford Highlands) from 40 yards with my Jazz Fat Cat 60-degree with a Pro V1.

It stopped dead...cool.;)

[mikemakeitso]

I think I need myself a new wedge... I feel so inferior now... All this talk about Stopping a ball on a dime... I'm jealous.

btw... Nice Thread

[westbeach]

The Y cutters are amazing and it's made of a softer material than the retail RAC wedges as well.

Try these other wedges :
The new Wilson wedge with warning labels on the club (I tried one but it chewed up my ball to much....look for it on BST very soon)
Titleist Spin Milled (chews up my balls as well)

Nothing like Y cutters. :) the TP version will be about $249 apparently.

[iyell4]

the impression i'm gettin' is that ,
when you say 'stopping on a dime', you actually mean sucking the ball back with heavy backspin?

the shot you need for this is the open-faced-open-stance-lob-wedge.... a delicate shot that just needs practice. if you like, practice during an actual round but don't blame me if you blade it and blast it a foot off the ground and over the green by another 30 yards.:eek:

[randle_solo]

The Y cutters are amazing and it's made of a softer material than the retail RAC wedges as well.

Try these other wedges :
The new Wilson wedge with warning labels on the club (I tried one but it chewed up my ball to much....look for it on BST very soon)
Titleist Spin Milled (chews up my balls as well)

Nothing like Y cutters. :) the TP version will be about $249 apparently.I've yet to try these wedges...you've got me thinking.

Just out of curiousity are the NIKE Mens Spin Velocity Wedges anywhere close to the Y-cutters...or is it an effort on NIKEs part to make similar products like the other companies?

[golferboy]

Ball back in stance, weight on front foot, accelerate through downsing and pinch the ball, with low follow through.........:eek:

[zkool5]

... what the previous poster said, in addition to supination of wrists at impact with give you ball plenty of spin.

[laxgolf]

I've yet to try these wedges...you've got me thinking.

Just out of curiousity are the NIKE Mens Spin Velocity Wedges anywhere close to the Y-cutters...or is it an effort on NIKEs part to make similar products like the other companies?
Can't comment on the Nike, but heard good things. The Titleist Spin Milled Spins the ball as much as the Y-Cutter, but is $100 cheaper. I'm looking to pick up 52 and 56 over the winter.

[Faemow]

i heard pros can only suck back the ball about 5ft if the green is flat.

[Thimble]

I watched Ben Curtis hit this amazing pitch shot on Sunday. I believe he was approx 30 yds to the left of the green on another tee block with very little green to work with. He hit what looked like to be a relatively low pitch shot (only because I expected to see a flop) and the thing hopped once and stopped. Amazing. I don't recall seeing him take any noticable divot either.

I'd love to know how to hit a 30 -50yd pitch that can check like that.

I assume there are many variable such as ball type, fairway and green conditions, club grooves??, talent :( .

Can anyone hit that shot on these semi pirvate GTA courses? Courses like Lakeridge, Royal Ashburn, etc.

If you can pls tell us how.
it's actually not that difficult a shot (once you practice it, of course).

try this next time you're at the range:

a) pick up your L wedge.
b) clean it
c) during your swing, keep your hands very low - ie. no more than 45 degrees (90 degrees being waist high).
d) make a FULL wrist cock -at least 90 degrees between arms and shaft, more if you've got a flexible wrist. careful not to "lay off" - ie. reverse cupping so that you can "scoop" while hitting **you DON'T want to do this**.
e) then make an accelerating swing with a FULL follow through. try to keep relaxed and don't get nervous about not having enough room to get the club back square. trust it.

presto. 30 yard shot with maximum spin.

it takes a LOT of practice to get comfortable enough to play it. personally, i still prefer to just roll it by the flag and try for a two putt. the problem is that its easy to want to muscle the shot and try and scoop the ball - both actions take off spin, or worse, end up skulling the ball...