Master the Vertical Plane: Achieve a Steep Angle of Approach for Crisper Pitch Shots

Hit down and through chip shots drill

Eliminate shallow pitch shots. Learn how to miss both sticks and build the muscle memory for a consistently steep Angle of Approach (AoA), leading to more control, spin, and ball-first contact.

Alignment Sticks Required: 2

PathPal Configuration: Together

Short Game

What It Helps With

Prevent Fat and Thin Shots

Hitting Down on the ball

Vertical swing plane

Steeper attack angle

How to Set Up the PathPal

Set the Base Angle: Take your pathpal Golf device and set the alignment stick in the 75-degree angle. This defines the target plane for your pitch shot. (If you are standing further away for a chip, you might use 75 degrees, but 70 degrees is ideal for the tighter stance of a pitch).
Insert the Ground Stick (Target Line): Take your first alignment stick and slide it into the ground alignment tunnel (the tunnel closest to the ground, near the 65-degree marker). Point this stick directly towards your intended target line.
Insert the Angled Stick (Plane Boundary): This stick should be sticking straight up and slightly angled outward toward your body side.
Position the Ball: Place your golf ball on the ground about 1 to 2 inches further away from the tip of the ground alignment stick. This ensures the you can hit the ball without hitting the stick, but close enough where if you come in shallow you'll hit the stick
Establish Stance: Take your normal pitch shot stance, standing close to the ball, making sure you have room to swing without immediately hitting the angled stick.

Step-by-Step Drill Instructions

Practice Swings - Visualize: Without a ball, take very slow practice swings, focusing entirely on the clubhead's movement relative to the sticks.
Goal 1 (Takeaway): On the backswing, ensure the clubhead and shaft do not hit the angled stick. This prevents the club from being pulled too far inside and shallow.
Goal 2 (Downswing/Impact): On the downswing, ensure the clubhead and shaft continue to miss the angled stick. This reinforces the more vertical, "out and up" motion needed for a steeper AoA.
Feel the Feedback: The pathpal setup creates a controlled tunnel. If you are swinging too shallow or bringing the club too far inside, you will hit the angled stick. The objective is to miss both sticks cleanly on both sides of the ball.
Execute the Shot: Once you are consistently missing the sticks on your practice swings, place a ball down and execute the pitch shot. Focus on the feeling of the club travelling steeper down towards the ball.
Analyze and Repeat: A successful execution means clean, ball-first contact, and you did not hit either alignment stick. Repeat the process, focusing on maintaining the club path and plane defined by the pathpal.