Pitch Shot Practice Routines to Improve Touch and Distance Control
From 20 to 60 yards out, you’re not trying to bomb the ball—you’re trying to finesse it. These pitch shots are about precision, not power.
Yet most golfers hit them with guesswork, not a plan. That leads to chunked shots, bladed wedges, and too many missed up-and-down opportunities.
If you want to get the ball closer and shoot lower scores, you need to build feel and distance control through structured practice. These routines will show you how.
Build a Yardage Ladder (20 to 60 Yards)
This drill builds the foundation for your short game. Set up targets at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 yards, using either cones, towels, or flags.
Use the same wedge—like a sand wedge—and change only your swing length. A great system is the clock method:
- 8:00 swing = short
- 9:00 swing = mid
- 10:00 swing = longer
Focus on carry distance, not total rollout. You want to learn how far the ball flies—not just where it finishes.
Hit 5 balls to each target and track how many land within a 5–10 foot zone. Over time, your touch and accuracy will dramatically improve.
One Club, Three Swings Drill
This drill teaches you how to get multiple distances from a single wedge—one of the most useful skills in golf.
Pick one club, like your sand wedge or lob wedge. Then hit shots using three different backswing lengths:
- 8:00 position (short)
- 9:00 position (medium)
- 10:00 position (longer)
Focus on keeping the tempo smooth and matching your follow-through to the backswing. You’re not swinging harder—you’re swinging longer.
This routine helps you discover how far each swing goes. It builds internal calibration so you can step up to any distance and know what motion produces the carry you need.
Landing Spot Awareness Drill
To get good at pitching, you need more than just swing control—you need visual control. That means learning to pick and hit landing spots.
Lay down tees or towels on the green where you want the ball to land. Hit 5–10 pitch shots trying to land them precisely on the spot—not just near the hole.
This trains your eyes and mind to see where the ball needs to land before it rolls out. It also builds trust in your swing—because you’re focused on target, not technique.
When you get good at landing spot awareness, you’ll start hitting it closer more often.
Touch Drill: Random Distances, One Ball Each
Golf isn’t predictable. That’s why you need a drill that mimics real on-course conditions.
Walk off or laser random distances between 20 and 60 yards. Hit just one ball to each target—no repeats, no adjustments. This builds touch and teaches your body to react to different feels on the fly.
You can call out the yardage to yourself before the swing, or have a partner randomly assign it. Either way, you’re practicing your decision-making, visualization, and execution under pressure.
This is one of the best ways to train feel, not just technique. When you can hit any distance with one attempt, you’re ready for the course.
Conclusion + Call-to-Action
If you want to lower your scores, you can’t ignore your pitching practice. These shots show up every round—and they don’t need to be complicated.
Use these routines to build touch, train carry distance control, and trust your instincts. The more structured your practice, the more confident you’ll feel on the course.
Want more short game drills like these?
Download our free 15 Short Game Drills PDF to start practicing smarter today.
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Thanks for reading today’s article!
Nick Foy – Golf Instructor
