Golf · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.2

Pitching and Chipping Technique

4 tests · 40 facts · updated 13 October 2026 · markdown

Short-game technique beyond the basics: wedge distances, spin and the pitch, high and special shots, and chipping methods.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Wedge distance controlTake a test

Each position gives one distance with each wedge.
Source: Dave Pelz, Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible (1999) and Putting Bible (2000) · recall
A former NASA scientist turned short-game coach.
Source: Dave Pelz, Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible (1999) and Putting Bible (2000) · recall
The rhythm stays the same; only the length changes.
Source: Dave Pelz, Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible (1999) and Putting Bible (2000) · recall
Small gaps make in-between shots rarer.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Often about 50 to 52 degrees of loft.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Other distances are built from it.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
A shorter club travels a shorter arc.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Longer backswing, longer shot, same rhythm.
Source: Dave Pelz, Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible (1999) and Putting Bible (2000) · applied
More loft, less distance.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · applied
A is the shortest backswing.
Source: Dave Pelz, Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible (1999) and Putting Bible (2000) · applied

Test 2The pitch and spinTake a test

The turn, not the hands, moves the club.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Clean grooves on a clean ball give the most grip.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Spin grips the green and slows the ball.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Out of rough, expect more roll.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Tour players use it on firm greens.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Let the loft lift the ball.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Short swings need less room to turn.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Grass and water between face and ball cut spin.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · applied
A full wedge is a full swing.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Backspin grabbed the green.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · applied

Test 3High and special shotsTake a test

A big swing for a short shot leaves little margin.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Twisting the hands open does not last.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
About 58 to 64 degrees of loft.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
If there is room, a lower shot is safer.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Named for firm, windy Texas courses.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
The rounded sole skims through the grass.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Popular with tour short-game coaches.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
The higher the shot, the less run.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · applied
The face first, then the hands and feet.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Height over the sand, soft landing, little roll.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · applied

Test 4Chipping methodsTake a test

It takes the wrists out of the shot.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Only the toe brushes the grass.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Using the bounce makes chips forgiving.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Back in the stance takes loft off the club.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
A tight lie and a fluffy lie play very differently.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Other clubs are added for special cases.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Down-grain lies let the club slide through.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
A ball sitting up is the friendliest.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · applied
The lie decides what is possible.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · recall
Less sole on the grass means a smoother stroke.
Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides) · applied

Sources

PGA coaching and general teaching guides, named short-game, putting and statistics books (Pelz, Broadie), motor-learning research as used in golf coaching, tour statistics, and the Rules of Golf where a rule is named; original questions authored, nothing reproduced.

General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides)29
General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides)6
Dave Pelz, Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible (1999) and Putting Bible (2000)5