The Hinge and Hold 

January and February newsletters highlighted the putt chip style of bump and runs around the green. In March we illustrated the strategy of when to putt, when to chip, and when to pitch. April found us in the bunker with Eddie and now it is time for pitching.

For more insight into this month's tip please like us on Facebook to view Natalie Cruse execute this awesome deep rough short game shot. Natalie speaks a little softer than Eddie and I, and there was a little bit of wind blowing when filming, so be sure to turn up the volume when you view the tip.  

The hinge and hold is a hybrid between a pitch backswing and a chip follow through.  The scenario is as follows:  

The golf ball is at rest 10 yards from the green and nestled down in 3 to 4 inches of rough. The pin is only 20 feet from the fringe therefore the ball does not need to run much once it lands. A pitch backswing hinges or cocks the left wrist to add velocity of the club head through the rough. The chip follow through is the holding aspect of the motion which prevents the ball from running too far once it lands.

Once again the video on Facebook truly highlights the set up, the length of swing and the ultimate shot outcome. As we head into summer expect the rough to grow around the greens. Chipping out of the rough is a no-no. Pitching out of the rough is wonderful when you have a lot of green to work with. The hinge and hold is the technique to use when you need the power of the pitch and the finesse of a chip.

Coming next month-the hard pan bunker shot. Thanks for all the TripAdvisor reviews; it appears you can never have enough! 

Ted Frick 

Owner/Director of Instruction 

Classic Swing Golf School