Where To Use a Pitching Wedge: Key Shots Every Golfer Should Know

The pitching wedge is one of my favorite golf clubs on approach shots from various lies. However, I see amateur golfers use their sand wedges much more than their pitching wedges. If you need some direction about where to use a pitching wedge, here are a few key shots you should know.

Short grass and tight lies around the greens

The pitching wedge really shines on short chips just on the fringe or the approach of the green. Use the pitching wedge when the grass is short and you don’t want to worry quite as much about bounce on the wedge.

Keep the stroke simple, almost like a putting stroke, with a narrow stance. Practice hitting the ball to a specific spot and letting it roll the rest of the way to the hole.

Another tip is to lift your hands up at setup. Feel like you get the shaft a bit more upright during your setup. A good checkpoint is to see if you are pointing your thumbs at the ground as they are during putting.

Don’t forward press too much because you’ll deloft the club. This video from Rob Cheney gives some great tips on how to set up in the proper position for these tight lies around the green.

Full-swing approach shots

Learn how far you hit your pitching wedge. If you are playing from the correct tee box, chances are you’ll have a few full swing pitching wedge approach shots at some point during your round.

This is a shot you really want to learn to trust.

Play the ball in the middle of your stance, feel a little more weight on the lead side and focus on the ball first, then turf contact.

Approach shots from a variety of yardages

No matter how far you hit a full pitching wedge (and you should know that precise distance), you should also know how to hit partial shots with the pitching wedge.

When there is no trouble between you and the pin, hitting a pitching wedge shot that lands in front of the green and rolls toward the hole is typically the safest shot you can take.

If you want to dial in your pitching wedge distances, spend some time on the range adjusting your setup and backswing length to find stock pitching wedge shots for these in-between yardages.

Here’s what this could look like for a golfer who hits a standard 120-yard pitching wedge.

Distance	Adjustment
120 yards	Full swing with standard backswing and follow-through, shoulder-width stance, smooth tempo.
100 yards	Slightly shortened backswing and follow-through, slightly narrower stance, smooth rhythm.
75 yards	3/4 swing with reduced backswing and follow-through, narrower stance, controlled tempo.
50 yards	Half swing with minimal wrist action, narrow stance, choke down slightly, slow and deliberate tempo.
25 yards	Short, soft motion with minimal backswing, very narrow stance, choke down significantly, slow tempo.

Some golfers use a “clock” system where, for example, they feel like they take the club back to 9 o’clock or 10 o’clock depending on the distance. Other players find that feel is a better way to do it and they focus on feeling like the club handle makes it to their thigh, their waist, etc.

Rescue shots from the rough

Depending on the types of golf courses that you play, there are times when the rough becomes too difficult to play from. Using a pitching wedge in this scenario is smart.

It’s one of the easiest clubs to hit. The pitching wedge has plenty of loft to get you out of trouble and get you back in play. When hitting out of the deep rough with the pitching wedge, focus on staying over the ball (not a lot of lateral movement).

You’ll want to leave the pitching wedge in the impact zone long enough to make solid contact with the ball despite the rough being so thick. Giving the ball and the club time to interact is a good swing thought.

Is a pitching wedge a good club to use from the bunker?

The pitching wedge would not be my first choice from a greenside bunker. Generally, you’ll want a club with a more loft (like a sand wedge) to help with the greenside bunkers.

However, the pitching wedge could be a great option from a fairway bunker or a bunker that may not be greenside.

When not to use a pitching wedge?

There could be times when a pitching wedge is not the right club. Here are some example.

• If you have short-sided yourself in the rough and have very little green to work with, use a club with more loft than the pitching wedge.
• Hitting into the wind can be difficult with the pitching wedge because it has a lot of loft. Use the 8- or 9-iron instead and try to hit a more controlled flight shot.
• When trouble is between you and the hole, it may make sense to use a higher-lofted club that flies the ball over the trouble and onto the green.

Final thoughts

If you were once unsure as to where to use a pitching wedge, you now should have a better idea. Start using your pitching wedge more. If you use it at the right time, it’s one of the best tools in your golf bag. When the pressure is on or the conditions are not perfect, your pitching wedge is a club you can rely on.