Want to hit a proper pitch? Master this 1 key

<h2>Want to hit a proper pitch? Master this 1 key</h2> <p><strong>By:</strong> Krista Dunton, Top 100 Teacher <br><strong>Date:</strong> August 8, 2026</p> <p>One key to hitting a great pitch shot is balancing steep angles in the setup with shallow angles during the motion. If you get too steep in the swing, the leading edge can dig and create inconsistent contact. Here’s how to keep that from happening.</p> <h3>The Balance of Angles</h3> <p><strong>At address:</strong> Keep your hands neutral with minimal shaft lean, while your head and chest are slightly ahead of the ball. With this setup, you’ll create the necessary steepness in the body to hit a proper pitch. This sets the stage for the shallow motion.</p> <p><strong>The Shallow Motion:</strong> Set the clubface open at address and un-cock your wrists. As you make a backswing, keep your thumbs pointing toward the ground to minimize wrist hinge. This helps create conditions for what I call the “slide zone.” Similar to a baseball player sliding into base, the club will slide along the ground prior to impact and then underneath.</p> <h3>The Result: Clean Contact and Predictable Distance</h3> <p>The result is clean contact, predictable distance and the right spin loft to make the ball stop right next to your target. This is what separates an amateur shot from a professional one, allowing players to control the ball on the green.</p> <h3>Krista Dunton's Technique</h3> <p>Krista Dunton, the director of instruction at Berkeley Hall Golf Club in Okatie, S.C., emphasizes the importance of understanding these nuances. She explains that many golfers struggle with pitches due to excessive wrist action or an incorrect angle of attack. An open clubface at address helps compensate for the natural closing of the club during the swing, while minimizing wrist hinge in the backswing prevents the club from entering the ball too steeply.</p> <h3>Why It Works</h3> <p>The idea behind the “slide zone” is to allow the club to travel on a shallower path, essentially “sliding” along the turf or ground beneath the ball. This creates an effect similar to hitting a sand wedge out of a bunker, but on the fairway or in the rough. Instead of digging into the ground before the ball (which often happens with a steep angle of attack), the club passes under the ball, lifting it with minimal resistance.</p> <p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Setup:</strong> Hands neutral, head and chest slightly ahead of the ball.</li> <li><strong>Clubface:</strong> Open at address.</li> <li><strong>Wrists:</strong> Minimize hinge during the backswing.</li> <li><strong>Motion:</strong> Aim for a "sliding" motion of the club along the ground.</li> </ul> <p>Mastering this technique requires practice, but the reward is a significant improvement in pitch shot control, one of the most crucial aspects of lowering your golf score.</p>