Sand wedge problem

Just recently I have started to experience a nasty problem with my wedge which is killing my score. With solid drives and good approach irons, as soon as the wedge comes out i am destroying the result with either shanks or just poor connection. This is only happening from about 40 yds out or even short 12 or 13 ft. chips. i have looked at everything from head movement to standing too close etc. Now i dont even think I will make the shot, my confidence is so shot with this club. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Robert

hi robert
where does your swing finnish???? , i find i use to do the same as you till i started swinging right through on a short 15 yard chip. i now always swing through to a high finish on all chip and pitch shots, it maybe a lot slower finnish to that of a full shot but i always finnish with my hands up at my shoulders at least, i feel i hit the ball crisper doing this and i dont shank or hit it fat now.
hope this helps
bill

Hi Robert,

I have just purchased the Dave Pelz "Short Game Bible" . He promotes what he calls the finesse wedge shot" .

I played a game this weekend and put some of the principles into practice and was very pleased with the results and accuracy.

Generally he takes any coil and hand/wrist action out of the wedge shot, you have to use a synchronised turning of your body through the take away, impact and follow through, where the club turns with your torso and shoulders. You should also keep your hands "Dead" through the shot to remove the effect of adrenalin tightening your grip, also form a very neutral grip.

He also says that you should hit through to a high finish (As Bill suggests) arms at 3:0 O' Clock at least, no matter what the length of backswing so that you keep the wedge accelerating through impact. Finally he suggests you use a 7:30 - 9:00 and 10:30 clock-face position backswing where possible (12:0 O' Clock pointing above your head)

Finally he says the ball should ALWAYS be mid-way between your ankles for all wedge shots except sand where it should be inside your left heel.

Chip shots: feet close together and pointing left of target, ball off rear of back foot toes. Turn wrists downwards in grip to stop collapsing. Hands ahead and hit down crisply into the back of the ball with a putting stroke.

I hope this goes some way to help.

__________________
Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

hi brian
good to see plez's book has got you working on your short game, i'm sure you will be suprised how much it helps you in a very short time. plez's book does cover lots but its worth reading a few time and in the cold and dark winter nights up here thats what i'll be doing.
bill

dear brian,
Many thanks for your advice. I will watch mr peltz on the golf channell. He does a lesson on wedge play which I have viewed before, but not taken much notice. Will also try and pick up the book. Isnt it amazing how when you get most of your game right, then some part of it decides to desert you!

for any shots 100 and in, I'm doing this thing where I just drive the ball through the air by basically focusing on hitting down. I make sure my practice swings take a divot (not too big) and look up as I'm doing that, then once looking down, then that's it and go swing.

It has really helped me alot - especially because it's so windy right now in Kansas.

That's right Robert.

I guess that's what keeps bringing us back, the hope that one day it will all come together at the same time

I agree with the other posts you just have to accelerate through the ball (make the throughswing longer than the backswing) and also take the hands out of the shot. This should help your striking and accuracy.

Sounds like: lack of confidence - which leads to deceleration - whivh leads to a ton of problems.

Hi Robert,

Also consider maintaining your spine angle. A shank more often than not is when we comeout of the shot by being far too eager to see the result.

Don't be too wedge dependant either. If you can and the conditions permit, consider using another iron and bump and run it. At least with this shot if it is mishit the end result will be better off than a fluff with the wedge.

i had a period like this when i couldn't hit a SW more than 40m no matter how hard i hit the ball. i went through a 3 month period where i only left it for bunkers and used my PW instead as i hit this club confidently.

maybe try using your PW for a short period of time until u get your confidence back. then swap to the SW.

other than that. try putting the ball back in your stance and focus hitting down on it a lil more with stiff hands for a short 10 - 15m chip which should land soft and quick.

Iwould suggest because the shot is of short length,you are not turning your shoulders fully.Turn your shoulders fully,and control the yardage you hit, by the speed of your swing.But you must not decelerate.keep a constant speed through the shot,and try watch the divot after you have hit.

Robert when I was having problems from those distances I slowed down my takeaway and it helped my downswing immensely. Also, if I am having problem with a club I put it away for a while so that I don’t fixate and further ingrain the particular problem.

I am a bit of a club junky so it is easy to replace problematic clubs. Once my confidence comes back, I find I have a better result with that club that used to hound me.

Finally, I force my self to think positive and deliberately. A famous actor, Jack Lemmon, used to put himself in the proper mindset when about to film an important role by saying to himself “it is magic time..” and off he would go with a good result. For important shots when I am close to the green, I think to myself, ‘textbook” as in this shot will be technically sound and I put myself at ease, keep the fundamentals in line and make a lot fewer mistakes.

Good luck.

James