Brian Manzella for Golf Magazine & Golf.com - The Tour Pitch

[Brian Manzella]

How To Hit A Spinning Pitch - Video - GOLF.com

 

[mgranato]

Easily the most valuable shot I've learned in the last 10 years.

 

[tongzilla]

Nice one Brian!
Cameraman should have zoomed in when the ball landed on the green to see it check.

 

[Tony D'Antonio]

Brian, where do you visualize the club striking the ball on this shot? Or do you even concentrate that much on picking a contact point and instead just, sort of, concentrate more on the overall feel of what you want to do instead of concentrating on a precise contact point? I've found that concentrating on the grass just behind the ball helps me with the toss action and using the bounce. If I stare at a spot on the ball, like I do on a full shot, I tend to reach impact with my hands too far forward and then hit a 'regular' sort of wedge/iron shot which means too much ball first contact. Thanks for the video.

Edited after the fact:

I forgot to add that this tour pitch has helped my wedge play immensely. It really provides a margin of error that makes these short shots relatively easy. Thanks for explaining this concept over the years.

 

[BrendanC]

Brian/coaches - would you apply these principles to chipping?

I've often heard that you need to keep a very straight arm when chipping, but is that the case?

Also, I presume there are pitfalls to applying a method like this to longer clubs. Would you mind giving your view on that?

 

[Lifter]

Should the golfer open the face substantially at address?

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Brian/coaches - would you apply these principles to chipping?

It's an option, works well.

I've often heard that you need to keep a very straight arm when chipping, but is that the case?

I think softer arms are better for chipping/pitching.

Also, I presume there are pitfalls to applying a method like this to longer clubs. Would you mind giving your view on that?

This is a short game shot, specific to short game. You could play long game shots this way, wouldn't be optimal though.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Should the golfer open the face substantially at address?

It's an option, for the standard tour pitch no. You risk blading it more.

 

[Robbierob99]

Sweet new Cleveland 60º 588 RTX wedge there. Fancy.

 

[ZAP]

I still struggle with learning this shot. Going out this weekend and try these set up ideas.
Short game video still in the works?

Need to join the OWL this weekend too.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Short Game video with Kevin Shields in the next couple of months.....Over & Out 2 maybe sooner.

 

[Jared Willerson]

I second what Mike said. The most important shot I have ever learned.

 

[jenhaoyen]

It's an option, for the standard tour pitch no. You risk blading it more.

bounce, bounce, bounce.

 

[jbrunk]

Why can't I see this on ipad? It's the only one I have had trouble with.