Mastering the 50 Yard Pitch Shot in Golf

For most golfers, the 50–60 yard pitch shot comes up far more often than it does for tour pros. These short shots may seem simple, but if you struggle with distance control or hit inconsistent contact, they can quickly add strokes to your score. The good news? With the right setup, shaft lean, and practice, you can master this distance and turn it into a strength.

Why This Shot Matters

At this range, direction is less of a problem because the ball is lofted and doesn’t travel far. What matters most is:

• Solid contact at impact
• Consistent distance control
• Spin and trajectory management

Key Fundamentals for Solid Contact

One of the biggest mistakes golfers make on this shot is delivering the club inconsistently. A proper setup solves much of that:

• Use a narrow stance with the ball in the center or slightly back.
• Keep your weight favoring the front leg.
• Maintain forward shaft lean at impact.

Forward shaft lean not only helps you strike the ball cleanly, but also lowers the trajectory, giving you much better distance control.

Pro tip: If you struggle with forward shaft lean, try using a 50° or 52° wedge instead of a 58° wedge until you build confidence.

The Role of the Trail Arm and Wrist Action

Your golf swing wrist hinge and trail arm position are critical to supporting the shaft. Focus on:

• Driving the trail arm forward through impact.
• Tilting the wrist slightly forward to keep the clubface down.
• Practicing small “baby shots” to engrain this motion.

This is one of the simplest golf swing tips you can practice at home or on the range. By keeping the trail arm and wrist working together, you’ll stop scooping the ball and create more reliable contact.

Spin and Ball Control

Spin can be your best friend—if you know how to manage it. Anything that reduces friction between the ball and club (like grass, dirt, or moisture) cuts spin dramatically. For best results:

• Always clean your wedges before hitting.
• Use a quality ball (like a Pro V1).
• Keep grooves sharp to maximize friction.

Spin isn’t about swinging harder; it’s about delivering a clean strike with the right face angle.

Benchmark Your Distances

Once your contact improves, the next step is learning your golf swing positions for specific distances. For example, you might find:

• Hands just above hip high + wrist hinge = ~40 yards
• Slightly bigger swing with the same fundamentals = ~50–55 yards

Establishing one or two “benchmark swings” gives you a reference point on the course, so you’re not guessing from 50–60 yards out.

Bringing It All Together

When you combine forward shaft lean, proper wrist action, and consistent practice, the 50-yard pitch shot becomes a scoring opportunity instead of a stress point.

For more in-depth drills and instruction, check out lessons from Scratch Golf Academy.

If you prefer visual learning, explore our golf swing tips on YouTube for demonstrations of these drills in action.

Want to take your short game to the next level?