David’s Golf Drills · short game
70-Yard Pitching
Make 70 yards a shot you have practiced rather than an in-between number you have to invent. Compare sensible wedge options and use the app to see which one gives you the most predictable result.
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Wedge or suitable club; safe 70-yard target; launch monitor optional
20–40 balls, or a shorter focused block
Choosing between neighboring wedge shots
Why this 70-yard pitch matters
Seventy yards can land between a golfer’s comfortable partial swing and a shorter full wedge. One club may require a longer motion; another may feel easier but produce a different flight. A dedicated target gives you a way to test those choices under the same conditions.
This distance also matters when a layup does not leave the exact number you wanted. Having a 60-yard reference and an 80-yard reference is useful, but neither automatically gives you a repeatable 70-yard shot. Practice the middle number so you know whether you can make a small adjustment or prefer another club.
Logging every ball prevents a spectacular result from settling the question prematurely. The most useful stock shot is the one whose ordinary outcome you can plan around. The app’s left, right, short, and long pattern gives that ordinary outcome a clearer shape.
Set a target you can score honestly
The app keeps the target fixed at 70 yards throughout this drill. For carry practice, mark a landing area at that distance. For finishing practice, agree on an on-target area and judge the ball after it stops. Outdoors, allow for rollout rather than assuming carry and total distance are identical.
The result pad records where the shot finished, while the optional carry field records flight distance. Keep those meanings consistent throughout the session. Choose a target area that matches your skill and available space; the app does not require a universally tiny circle. Use an appropriate practice area or a simulator with enough safe space for the shot.
How to hit the shot
Start with the club that feels easiest to control at 70 yards. Rehearse a recognizable length and keep a balanced finish. Let the trial establish your distance; do not force a much smaller swing merely because another golfer uses a particular wedge or clock position.
Then test an alternative in a new block if you want a comparison. Note the club, trajectory, and any unusual conditions. A lower shot with useful release may be a different course option from a higher shot, even when the two carries are similar. Keep those intentions clear when you score.
How to use 70-Yard Pitching in the app
- Open the dedicated drill
Use the button on this page to open 70-Yard Pitching. On the introduction screen, review the target and tap Start session. A returning unfinished session may offer Resume session or Start over.
- Choose whether to record carry
In Advanced settings, leave Record carry distance on if you have measured numbers, or turn it off if you do not. Carry is optional on each shot, even when recording is enabled.
- Hit one ball to the fixed target
Play the 70-yard shot using your chosen club and routine. The distance stays the same after each result; this is deliberate repetition rather than a random target drill.
- Record carry, then the observed result
If you have a carry measurement, set it on the slider before tapping the result. Use Made for on target, or select Short, Long, Left, Right, or a corner. Made does not mean the ball went into the hole.
- Continue, then finish and review
Record every ball until you choose Finish. Add notes about the club, lie, target rule, and one cue you used. Undo corrects an accidental entry. Review the distribution of results rather than judging the session by one excellent ball.
| Long left | Long | Long right |
| Left | Made | Right |
| Short left | Short | Short right |
This is an instructional diagram, not an app screenshot. In chipping and pitching, Made means on target; in Random Green it means on the green; in Aim putting it means made.
A real logging example
A pitch that carries 72 yards but finishes left should be logged with its actual carry and Left. If your selected finishing area includes that depth but not that direction, it remains a miss. Distance tolerance is not permission to ignore line.
In a supported browser, Hands-free lets you speak a result such as “short left” or “made 70.” Allow microphone access only if you want voice entry. You can say “undo” to correct the previous result. If voice entry is unavailable or noisy, use the same on-screen controls. A carry number alone cannot determine whether the ball missed left or right.
What to change when the pattern is poor
Switching clubs after every miss prevents either option from receiving a fair test. Another mistake is using more wrist action to chase distance without observing what happens to launch and strike. Test one deliberate change at a time.
Use a few sessions to identify the repeated tendency. Consistently short shots, consistently long shots, and a wide mix of both deserve different experiments. Start with one change and score another small block. The app tracks outcomes; it does not replace an assessment of the swing or automatically identify a technical fault.
Frequently asked questions
Is a lob wedge the best club for 70 yards?
There is no universal answer. Your comfortable carry, lie, landing space, and desired flight matter. Use the dedicated target to test clubs that can reach it without an uncomfortable motion.
Do I need a launch monitor?
No. The directional pad works with a visible target. A launch monitor adds measured carry; do not invent a number when you cannot measure it.
How many balls should I hit?
The app has no fixed session length. A focused 20–40-ball session is an option, but a smaller honest block is useful too. Stop when attention or strike quality fades.