x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
Conquer 30-yard pitch shots with the help of a short-game whiz
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

InsideGOLF: +$140 value for $39.99

Join Today
Instruction

Conquer 30-yard pitch shots with the help of a short-game whiz

By: Nick Dimengo
December 3, 2024
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
GOLF Teacher to Watch Parker McLachlin, aka the Short Game Chef, says follow these cues to master tricky 30-yard pitch shots

Parker McLachlin, aka the Short Game Chef, says these are the cues to master 30-yard pitch shots.

Dennis Scully/D Squared Productions

Being able to dial in your distance control on each one of your golf shots is critical to getting it close and giving yourself chances to score low. But it’s even more clutch when you can do so in the short game.

But most amateurs really struggle with controlling their distances near the green, since it requires great touch and an understanding of how long (or short) the backswing should be.

For instance, if you’re using the same club from 30 yards out as you would from 50 yards out, common sense tells us you’ll need to shorten your swing. The question now becomes “by how much?”

Since this can be tricky to determine on your own, GOLF Teacher to Watch Parker McLachlin, aka the Short Game Chef, has some cues to help you master those difficult 30-yard pitch shots.

So the next time you find yourself just short of the putting surface and fear either going too long or coming up a bit too short, just use the tips below from McLachlin to trust your process and confidently hit your shot.

Become a master on 30-yard pitch shots

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Parker McLachlin (@shortgamechef)

There are a number of reasons why you might have a 30-yard pitch shot, with the most common being on a par-5 when you weren’t able to reach the green in two. But for mid-handicappers like myself, pitching from here could be to salvage a hole and avoid a big number on a par-4 — which is why it’s important to understand how to put it close.

“This is an awkward yardage, but it really helps if you can find in your rehearsal swing where you’re supposed to be at the top of your backswing,” McLachlin says. “For me, this is about 30 yards [hip high, or about halfway]. This is 30 yards in the air.“

Short Game
GOLF editor zephyr melton hits shot with a wedge
Attack tucked hole locations by shaping your pitch shots. Here’s how
By: Zephyr Melton

Knowing what your backswing length should be to a carry yardage is the first order of business, with the rehearsal giving you a sense of feeling before addressing your ball.

“My goal for this shot is to have nice width [in the backswing], good stance, good shaft positioning at address, I want to feel a lot of rotation on the way through, and build a shallow angle of attack,” McLachlin says.

So why come into impact shallow versus steep? McLachlin says it’s all about adding some protection against a mishit, where the leading edge of the club could dig if you come in too steep on a pitch shot from this distance.

“If I’m taking a divot from 30 yards, for my style, that’s not what I want to see,” he says. “I know that I’m too steep on that [if I make a divot], so I’m going to make sure I’m really wide and I’m creating a nice shallow angle of attack.”

By using these simple steps from McLachlin, you’ll be able to get up and down more frequently and save strokes, using your short game to improve your scores.

Titleist Vokey SM10 Tour Chrome Custom Wedge

Adding Vokey Design® SM10 Wedges to your bag opens a world of scoring opportunities. Between the crisp contact, optimal flighting, incredible spin – and those magical Bob Vokey grinds – they give you everything you need to grow your short game skill. From the simple to the sensational, SM10 are made to make great shots happen. Improved Flighting & Feel Get lower, more attacking flight in a wedge that feels amazingly solid at impact with SM10. A precise shift in the center of gravity gives you even more control and stability for greater confidence over every shot. Ultimate Shot Versatility Your swing is unique and requires the right tools. Finding your ideal mix of grinds will provide you with flawless contact and maximum versatility so you can be prepared for everything the course demands.
View Product

Latest In Instruction

3 hours ago

2 keys for playing golf at elevation, according to LIV pros

1 day ago

The secret behind Justin Thomas’ crazy clubhead speed

1 day ago

How a simple grip change can fix your bunker shots

1 day ago

This 'hallmark' of elite ball strikers is absent in high handicappers

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor

Related Articles

Instruction
abraham ancer swings during liv singapore

2 keys for playing golf at elevation, according to LIV pros

By: Zephyr Melton
Driving
justin thomas swings driver during the 2025 valspar championship

The secret behind Justin Thomas’ crazy clubhead speed

By: Zephyr Melton
Bunker Shots
Andrew Novak plays a shot from a bunker

How a simple grip change can fix your bunker shots

By: Parker McLachlin, with Maddi MacClurg
Putting
PGA Tour pro Justin Rose lines up putt on No. 6 at the Masters

Make more putts using this tour-trusted alignment hack

By: Maddi MacClurg
Instruction
teacher shows student how to grip golf club

What's the difference between a weak grip and strong grip?

By: Zephyr Melton
Instruction
Golfer writes in scorecard while sitting in golf cart at sunset

The fastest ways to lower your scores, according to top teachers

By: Maddi MacClurg
Driving
mike malizia swings golf club

Make a perfect downswing and hit more fairways. Here's how

By: Mike Malizia, Top 100 Teacher
Instruction
woman sits on laptop while golfers swing in background

Should you turn to YouTube for quality golf instruction?

By: GOLF Editors
Approach Shots
arnold palmer swings golf club

Arnold Palmer shares the secrets to hitting pure shot with long irons

By: Zephyr Melton
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to golf.com

This content is available only to InsideGOLF members.

More than $140 in value for $39.99

1 Dozen Srixon Golf Balls

$20 Fairwayjockey.com credit

1 year GOLF Magazine subscription

50+ pieces of insiders-only content each month on GOLF.com

GOLF Magazine’s 600+ Issue digital archive

Weekly insider newsletters curated by GOLF’s top creators

Free True Spec fitting with any club purchase

50% off GolfLogix Green Books

50% off GolfLogix Game Improvement App

$100 off any Fairway Jockey purchase of $500+

$100 off any Miura Iron purchase of $500+

Join Now

Already a member? Sign in