USE YOUR BODY FOR ULTIMATE CONTROL

My finish position here tells you pretty much everything you need to know about how to hit a controlled pitch from within 80 yards or so of the green. My chest is facing the target, my weight is on my front foot and my right arm is drawn across my chest. My number one pitching swing thought is to be ‘brave’ through the ball. This is no time to try to ease up through impact or to try to get too cute with the swing.

I like to set up with my weight and hands a little forward. From here, the shot is all about upper body rotation. I never get my hands involved because, in all honesty, I’m not sure what to do with them through impact. I’ll only consciously bring them into play if I have to hit a specialist shot – when I have to launch the ball much higher than normal or to keep it low under the trees.