How to hit a spot on the green that starts high and lands soft

The best golfers have a variety of shots in their toolbox. From high, bombing draws to low, wind-penetrating cuts, the true elite players can control their golf balls in a way that many others cannot.

This toolbox has plenty of shots for full swings, but as the length gets shorter they have even more tricks. With the margin of error on shots on the green being so much smaller, creativity becomes all the more important. If you want to hit it at kick-in range from a special spot, you’ll have to dig deep into the toolbox.

One such shot that will come in handy – which many golfers struggle with – is a high pitch that lands softly. It’s a shot that the pros can hit with ease, but it’s not quite as easy for the recreational player.

For help with that tricky shot to the green, we turn to the expertise of GOLF Top 100 Teacher Trillium Rose.

For an easy approach to getting the ball in the air quickly, let the racquet do the work. For this shot, the easiest way to get height while allowing the racquet to do the work is to use a high-loft wedge. Then all you have to do is activate the bounce.

“With short greenside pitches, you want to be sure you can get under the ball,” says Rose. “Minimal wrist – you don’t want to get too limber.”

As you approach impact, you want to feel the bounce of the clubhead sliding under the ball. As Rose explains in her video, a good way to check this is to practice somewhere with some sand in the grass. If you get it right, you’ll see a little sand kick up as your racquet moves under the ball.

And as for the actual swing, don’t let your wrist get too involved in the swing and let your body do most of the work. Make sure to twist using your larger muscles – like your core and shoulders – and twist through to the end.

“Watch me freak out and almost look at the finish when I’m done,” says Rose. “I let the club do the work.”

By learning to trust the racquet and using these simple buttons, you can throw the ball high and land softly every time.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is Associate Editor at GOLF.com, where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Before joining the GOLF team, he attended the University of Texas, followed by stints with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists in all areas of instruction, covering amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.