How to hit down and out without hitting?

[smooth]

Particularly with the wedges i find that if i focus too much on taking a divot in front of the ball i end up hitting it off the hosel. I think this may be because i'm a swinger and i'm actually trying too much to "hit" the ball

Frustrating as i can get the hands well forward but it's always ending in hosel rockets or best case blocks to the right

I'm trying to avoid any deliberate roll feel of the hands as supposedly they are just clamps and i shouldn't be doing anything to square the face?

Any thoughts?

[EdZ]

Particularly with the wedges i find that if i focus too much on taking a divot in front of the ball i end up hitting it off the hosel. I think this may be because i'm a swinger and i'm actually trying too much to "hit" the ball

Frustrating as i can get the hands well forward but it's always ending in hosel rockets or best case blocks to the right

I'm trying to avoid any deliberate roll feel of the hands as supposedly they are just clamps and i shouldn't be doing anything to square the face?

Any thoughts?

Sounds like you are well under plane. Check with a flashlight by tracing a straight plane line, and/or take some slow motion backswings with your back up against a wall (or about a foot or two away at most). If you are indeed under plane, you would actually need to feel quite a roll to compensate for it. Once you get back on plane, the roll feel won't be as obvious, or as needed.

[Martee]

Watch the Jeff Hull Vids, #2 (chip or basic motion) and #3 (pitch or acquired mortion), he is using a swing in the acquired for sure and I believe also in the basic (left arm powered).

I have been reviewing those vids and there is so much information. Also grab the book and review the 12-5-1 and 12-5-2 (Basic and Acquired Motion) as you watch.

[comdpa]

Particularly with the wedges i find that if i focus too much on taking a divot in front of the ball i end up hitting it off the hosel. I think this may be because i'm a swinger and i'm actually trying too much to "hit" the ball

Frustrating as i can get the hands well forward but it's always ending in hosel rockets or best case blocks to the right

I'm trying to avoid any deliberate roll feel of the hands as supposedly they are just clamps and i shouldn't be doing anything to square the face?

Any thoughts?

Visualise the back of your left wrist facing the ground as your hands go down and out. Remember to apply your horizontal hinge action as well as maintaining rhythm per the 3rd Essential.

[rogerdodger]

I have had Smooth's problem as well. The only answer I have found successful is steepening the backswing significantly and feeling as if the #3 pp is being driven into the ground. Also, playing the ball too far back is a recipe for shanks in my experience.

[smooth]

Sounds like you are well under plane. Check with a flashlight by tracing a straight plane line, and/or take some slow motion backswings with your back up against a wall (or about a foot or two away at most). If you are indeed under plane, you would actually need to feel quite a roll to compensate for it. Once you get back on plane, the roll feel won't be as obvious, or as needed.

Hmm that may be the case as i've been working on getting rid of an over the top move (my old bad habit was shoulders spinning out slightly on the start down). Perhaps i'm over compensating now and coming in too much under plane.

I just want to bury that ball into the turf so the will is there it's just the fear of hitting a shank that needs to be gotten out of the system!

[Sonic_Doom]

I also battle the shanks, but ONLY during practice as I tend to fiddle too much with stuff. I find that putting the ball on the extreme toe of the club seems to fix things (dont know why).

Anyway, tend to avoid them on the course better than I used to.

CW