Shanking during chip shots

[triple-bogey]

Title says it all. This is a new ''feature'' in my game...appeared in both of my last two rounds, although not consistently. Obviously I want to get rid of it.

This does not happen with any of my other of shots (i.e. drives, irons, lobs), only when chipping from the fringe with a wedge in my hands. I set up as usual (at least I think so), perform the swing, only to see the ball scoot about 10-20 feet directly to the left (I am a lefty), and typically not even get onto the green (just move to a different part of the fringe ).

I need help! What should I be looking for in my setup and/or execution?

Thanks in advance!

[adam]

Only thing I can think of is head lifting (D'Oh!) and/or making a very quick,choppy motion while chipping.
Focus on seeing the grass underneath the ball before looking up and making a smooth, even-tempo stroke through the ball.
Hopefully this helps.

[nokids]

i saw a PGA instructional video during the winter that helped me chip with confidence. i've yet to have 1 bad chip all year.

for a lefty,
-put the ball in the back of your stance (left heel)
-open stance
-your weight should be mostly forward (on your right foot).....imagine your left foot almost tippy toeing so that 90% of the weight is on your right foot.
-to avoid shanking, practice chipping by placing an object (2x4 wood or a club) behind the ball and practice hitting the ball without hitting the object. this will teach you to focus on making good contact with the ball.
-make a descending blow to the ball, and the let the loft of the club you use determine how much it will roll. wedge, 9iron, 7 iron, etc....

[triple-bogey]

Thanks guys! All good advice. I will try this out tomorrow.

[iggsplode]

when i do that(and i used to do it a fair bit) it usually means that i have the ball too close to the heel of the club and i end up hitting the ball off the hosel causing it to go sideways.. it took me quite a bit of time at a practice green to figure out thats what i was doing wrong..

[triple-bogey]

i saw a PGA instructional video during the winter that helped me chip with confidence. i've yet to have 1 bad chip all year.

-open stance

If I open the stance, should I also open the clubface?

[nokids]

If I open the stance, should I also open the clubface?

the stance is slightly open and the clubhead is facing the target; so the clubhead is normal but will feel like it is closed. this will give you an idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlaZaT44kv4

[triple-bogey]

the stance is slightly open and the clubhead is facing the target; so the clubhead is normal but will feel like it is closed. this will give you an idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlaZaT44kv4

Ok, that's clearer now. That Pivot Pro looks pretty cool!

Thanks for your help! Will let you know how it works out tomorrow. Hopefully the shanks will be a thing of the past.

[triple-bogey]

when i do that(and i used to do it a fair bit) it usually means that i have the ball too close to the heel of the club and i end up hitting the ball off the hosel causing it to go sideways.. it took me quite a bit of time at a practice green to figure out thats what i was doing wrong..

Thanks for your input iggslopde. As far as I am aware, I am not standing closer to the ball than I used to, but will double check just to make sure.

[goley]

When I see this happen it is usually caused by the person trying to hold the face open and trying to keep the clubhead going in a straight line towards the target. As a lefty make sure that the path the club head takes after impact is to the right and the face is closing relative to target and staying square to the path. Hope this helps. Good luck!!