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This snippet of Spieth practicing his pitch shots before the final round of the British Open happened while the announcers were droning on about whatever they could fill space with. Meantime in the background Spieth was providing viewers with one of the best short game lessons (unintended of course) they could ever receive. In six shots Spieth demonstrates the two most important pitching techniques for any level of player: he first utilizes the “forward lean” or “leading edge” technique, what most people would call a “bump and run” (a useless phrase) to hit a lower flying pitch that is designed to skip forward, catch a bit with the spin, and then run out to the desired destination. His choice of club is most likely a 52-degree wedge (although it could possibly be a 56 degree, as his wedges are 46, 52, 56 and 60) and his technique shows a shorter, brisker swing from a more leftward and forward leaning address to a forward leaning impact and a finish where the left wrist remains flat and the right wrist bent. He then switches club to either a 56 or a 60 and demonstrates a “use the bounce” technique to hit a higher trajectory, softer landing shot, as illustrated by the more centered set up, more arm swing going back with a bit less wrist cock, and a longer follow through with the left wrist retaining its inwardly bent angle, indicating that more loft has been presented at impact. Anyone who can understand and master these two techniques and then apply the subtle variations required for each individual shot can have a tour level short game.
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