Mastering Pitch Shots Inside 100 Yards: The 9 to 3 O'clock Drill
by Tim Bell
Inside 100 yards lies golf’s scoring zone—a range where finesse, feel, and control matter far more than power. Whether you’re trying to stick it close for birdie or save par, mastering pitch shots is essential to lowering your scores.
One of the best ways to develop a reliable, repeatable technique is through the 9 to 3 o’clock drill, a simple yet powerful practice emphasizing body connection, swing control, and consistent contact.
Pitching Fundamentals: Core Control Over Chaos
Pitch shots differ from full swings; they require less force but more precision. To pitch effectively, the body must move as a connected unit, especially in shorter swings. This means:
The arms stay connected to the body
The core initiates the motion, not the hands
The hips and torso rotate together, creating a smooth pivot
A breakdown in this chain, such as “flipping” the wrists or having lazy hips, leads to inconsistent contact, fat or thin shots, and poor trajectory control.
The 9 to 3 O'clock Drill: What It Is and Why It Works
The 9 to 3 drill uses the visual of a clock to define the swing:
9 o’clock: Backswing where the lead arm is parallel to the ground
3 o’clock: Follow-through where the trail arm mirrors that position
This structured swing teaches you to:
Control backswing and follow-through length
Rotate through the core and hips, rather than relying on hand speed
Maintain tempo and balance
Promote solid, centered contact
By limiting the swing and keeping the motion compact, the drill forces you to engage your core and pivot properly—two of the most critical aspects for short-game consistency.
Drill Setup and Execution
1. Setup:
Wedge: Use a sand wedge or lob wedge to start
Stance: Slightly narrow, with 60% weight on the lead foot
Ball Position: Center to slightly back
Posture: Maintain spine angle and soft knees
2. The Swing:
Backswing (to 9 o’clock):
Lead arm reaches parallel to the ground
Wrists hinge naturally
Keep arms connected to the torso
Rotate shoulders and pivot hips slightly—feel the turn originate from the core
Transition:
No rush—allow the body to stay stable
Avoid using the hands to start the downswing
Follow-through (to 3 o’clock):
Rotate through with the torso and hips leading
Trail arm reaches parallel, matching the 9 o’clock position
Keep hands passive—let the pivot do the work
Key Feel: Think of your belt buckle and chest turning together—this keeps your arms connected and powered by the core.
Distance Calibration Using the Core-Pivoted Swing
By maintaining connection and using core rotation to generate energy, the distances become more predictable:
9 to 3 with lob wedge = ~25–30 yards
9 to 3 with sand wedge = ~35–40 yards
9 to 3 with gap wedge = ~45–50 yards
Using your pivot and connection, you’ll gain better control over trajectory and spin—ideal for tight pin locations.
Common Errors and Fixes
Mistake
Fix
Arms disconnect from body
Focus on chest/arms moving together
Overusing hands
Feel the swing driven by the turn of your midsection
Hips stall
Visualize rotating belt buckle through the shot
Inconsistent contact
Shorten swing and exaggerate rotation
Add a Visual Cue: Towel Drill for Connection
Place a towel under both arms during practice. If it falls during the swing, you’re disconnecting. This enhances arm-body unity and teaches the feeling of rotating with your core.
The 9 to 3 o’clock drill is more than a technical exercise; it’s a pathway to better scoring. By staying connected to your core and pivoting through your hips, you engage the powerful, stable muscles that control the club without overcomplicating the swing. When practiced regularly, this drill improves:
Contact
Spin control
Distance consistency
Body awareness
Add it to your practice sessions, and soon you’ll be attacking flags with confidence from anywhere inside 100 yards.
