PROspectives: Eric Axley

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On the PGA Tour, the ability to get up and down consistently from around the green is critical, and being a good pitcher of the ball makes saving pars a lot easier. The three basic shots you need to know are high, medium and low pitches. Master these three, and you'll be able to handle just about any situation.

TaylorMade player Eric Axley favors the new Burner driver. For more info on equipment, visit golftipsmag.com /ezlinks.

High Shot: The high-pitch shot can be intimidating for the average player, simply because it's an easy one to hit heavy or thin. Here's my surefire technique: Place the ball forward in your stance, open the clubface and address the ball with your hands a bit behind it. Hinge your wrists fully in the backswing and then keep your hands slightly behind the ball through impact so they can rehinge in the finish.

Medium Shot: For a medium-trajectory pitch, place the ball in the middle of your stance and place your hands in a neutral position (equal with the ball). Hinge your wrists a bit as you bring your arms to waist height and then try to match the same position in the finish._Ê

Check out the video golftipsmag.com See Eric Axley demonstrate his pitching technique._Ê

Low Shot: For the low pitch shot, lay the ball a bit back in your stance and allow your hands to lean slightly forward at address. Make a short backswing with little wrist hinge and then keep the club low to the ground in the followthrough.

Hitting a high pitch requires ample wrist hinge on the backswing._Ê

The wrist hinge you create in the back swing should be matching in the finish._Ê

In a medium- trajectory shot, waist-high is a good place to aim for.

Match the back swing height in the finish and hold it to ingrain the proper feel.

Low shots require almost no wrist hinge and a fairly short swing.

Keep the clubhead low to the ground after impact.

Eric Axley just completed his third full season on the PGA Tour. So far, he has one victory and 15 top-10 finishes.