David’s Golf Drills · short game
80-Yard Pitching
Build an 80-yard wedge shot, then test it when the practice stops repeating. This guide links a focused stock-distance session with the changing targets of Random Green Challenge.
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Wedge or suitable club; safe 80-yard target; launch monitor optional
20–40 balls, or a shorter focused block
Connecting wedge calibration with random approaches
Why this 80-yard pitch matters
Eighty yards is a useful point where short-game practice begins to resemble a short approach. A golfer may be close enough to expect a good result but still need a controlled partial wedge. Those expectations can hide the actual spread of finishes until you record the whole session.
A fixed target helps you learn the club and motion first. It reduces the decision load while you establish carry and direction. That is different from random practice, where selecting the club and adapting to a new yardage are part of the challenge.
The default Random Green Challenge range begins at 80 yards. Once you have a reasonable stock reference here, that drill gives you a natural way to test whether the shot transfers when the next target might be 120 or 150. The two tasks complement each other rather than competing.
Set a target you can score honestly
The app keeps the target fixed at 80 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
Choose a wedge that reaches 80 yards with a comfortable, balanced motion. Rehearse the length and keep the setup consistent for a scored block. Use measured carry if available; outdoors, identify where the ball first lands as well as where it finishes.
After a fixed-distance session, put the 80-yard shot into a changing-distance practice block. Take the first ball seriously and use your normal pre-shot routine. If you need several extra balls to rediscover the shot, return to the fixed drill and simplify the reference you are trying to remember.
How to use 80-Yard Pitching in the app
- Open the dedicated drill
Use the button on this page to open 80-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 80-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
Your repeated 80-yard block looks reliable, but the first 80-yard shot after a 140-yard target finishes long. That is useful transfer feedback. Keep the stock-distance baseline and the random session separate so you can identify whether selection and adjustment are the issue.
In a supported browser, Hands-free lets you speak a result such as “short left” or “made 80.” 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
Assuming success in a repeated block guarantees success on a first attempt can make practice results overly optimistic. Do not take unrecorded second tries when you move to Random Green Challenge.
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
Should I start with fixed or random practice?
Use the fixed drill when you need to find or refine a stock shot. Use Random Green Challenge when you want to practice choosing and delivering it among changing distances. You can include both in the same practice day.
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.