Golf - Improving Pitching

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Cary Ferrell
www.dullesgolfcenter.com/chuck/academy.html  
301.509.2900

Cary began playing golf in Minnesota over 40 years ago. Soon after, he moved with his family to Rockville, Maryland. He was a member of the Richard Montgomery High School golf team lettering all 3 years and as captain of the team during his senior year. In 1970, he enrolled at the University of Maryland at College Park playing on the golf team for two years. In 1972, he turned professional and landed his first apprentice position under Head PGA Golf Professional, Clarence Doser at the former Washingtonian Country Club in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He then moved to Falls Road Golf Course in Potomac, Maryland as Teaching Professional under the direction of Head PGA Golf Professional, Chuck Walker. In 1978, Cary completed his membership requirements for Class “A” Membership in the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. In 1982, he accepted the position of Head PGA Golf Professional/Manager at Poolesville Golf Course in Poolesville, Maryland where he remained for 23 seasons. During his tenure, he continued his passion for teaching and mentoring juniors. In addition to developing golfers of all skill levels, a number of former assistant professionals have gone on to become Head PGA Golf Professionals at their own facilities. He retired from the Poolesville Golf Course on December 31, 2004. Cary has been with the Chuck Will Golf Academy since March 2005. He feels that golf is a sport for a lifetime which teaches youngsters many life lessons. There are numerous ways this can be achieved. The Chuck Will Golf Academy has given him all the necessary tools to enrich, enhance and improve everyone’s game of golf. In addition to his teaching duties, Cary finds time to be an advisor and mentor to the Loudoun County Junior Golf Association. Cary has three adult children, one of which is a Head PGA Golf Professional in the Chicago area. As you can see, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

Golf - Improving Pitching

Golf expert Cary Ferrell shows you how to improve your short game in golf.

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Transcripts

Cary Ferrell: Hi! My name is Cary Ferrell; I am one of the PGA instructors at the Dulles Golf Center and the Chuck Will Golf Academy. Today, I am going to show you a little bit about Pitching.

Pitch shot, ball position is in the middle, or a little bit right off center. Just like in chipping, were going to move the triangle back and through, just a little bit longer swing.

I am going to use the same grip that you use for all of your clubs; either Overlapping, Interlocking or Ten-finger.

The distance is dictated by how far back you take it; the longer the back swing, the longer the shot. You want to take it back short and go through the ball, accelerate through; you dont want to take a long back swing and decelerate into the golf ball.

Very flat footed, weights on your left side, ball position back in your stance, just short shoulder turn, and turn through the ball. Keep your feet pretty much on the ground.

Two basic pitch shots - One where you dont set the angle, no wrist cock, and one where you do set the angle; with the one with no wrist cock, youll have a lower trajectory, a little more run; the one with a wrist cock, youre going to have a little bit higher trajectory and more spin on the ball. No wrist cock.

Now I am going to set the angle on the back swing, have a sharper angle of attack, put more spin on the ball, and hopefully it will stop better.

You still turn your shoulders through, turn the triangle through; just like on putting and chipping, you dont want to flip the club or help the ball in the air. The loft of the club takes the ball up.

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