Sandy LaBauve is one of the world's best beginner, junior and women's instructors. She is listed as one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers and is Founder and Creative Consultant for the LPGA Junior Girls Golf Club.
How to Hit a Medium-Height Golf Pitch Shot to an Elevated Green
Hit Over a Sand Trap to an Elevated Green
As we move up to the green we often find ourselves in situations like this one. Here I have to go over a sand trap, I am hitting to a green that is a little bit elevated, but I have a lot of green to work with if you notice. I need to throw the ball up in the air but I still have some green where the ball can run on. I do not need to throw a dart and get that real high shot. The best shot to use in a situation like this would be a medium-trajectory shot.
How to Hit a Medium-Trajectory Golf Shot
When I hit a medium-trajectory shot what I need to do is set up correctly so that I get the ball flight that I want. For a medium shot I am going to play a fairly narrow stance but it will be wider than for a chip shot. The ball is now going to be in the center of my stance and I have selected a 54-degree wedge which will give me some height but I will still get more run than I would with my sand wedge. I am going to balance with my weight a little on the left and I am going to make a bigger arm swing than I did with the low shot. My goal when I do this is to clip the grass slightly behind the ball. The wrist hinge I use is minimal, I am just letting the weight of the club hinge my wrist. When I finish I am going to try to finish by my left pocket, I want the club to work back over to the left because I am swinging on an arc. My body is moving more coming through than coming back, which is something for us women to watch. Often times we get a little too much movement back here with our lower body and it makes it hard for us to make clean contact.
Practice the Medium Golf Shot
Let’s hit one. I am still bent over, balanced a little left. That flew about halfway and rolled up to the pin. Try these medium shots, it is a bread-and-butter shot for you. It is also a little mimic of the full swing, you can work a lot on the arc of your swing when you are practicing the medium-trajectory shot. You can also grow that shot and start making bigger shots by taking the club further back and further through. Again, the medium shot is a great shot for you to play all around the golf course. Do not throw that ball up in the sky if you do not have to.
About the Instructor
Sandy LaBauve
Kierland Golf Club
15636 N. Clubgate Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Tel: 480-922-9283
15636 N. Clubgate Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Tel: 480-922-9283