Shanking Chip Shots

[Collie]

My apologies guys for using the "S" word. I have always been a good chipper/pitcher, all around solid short game. Last couple of weeks been shanking the odd short chip shot(low and right), but the last couple of days shanking more than 70% of a practice bucket. My technique and setup always seemed good, and worked well for many years, but now something seriously has gone wrong.
Please guys, I really need some help here.

[DaveGord]

Re: Shanking Chip Shots

When I've done this it's usually been because I'm standing too close to the ball and picked the clubface up on the backswing, meaning no room coming onto the ball on the downswing.

[BrianW]

Re: Shanking Chip Shots

From my experience there are two major areas to consider with 'Socket Rockets' (Cant even say the word )

Make sure that your upper arms stay connected to your chest when you swing, if you let them seperate you move the shaft nearer the ball. Practice with a head cover tucked under your upper arms and chest and make sure they do not not drop out.

Make sure you are turning your shoulders to take the club back. If you only use your arms then you will pull the club too far inside on the backswing and have to throw it out to get to the ball, this will leave the face open and bring the hozel into the ball.

[LowPost42]

Re: Shanking Chip Shots

I've been suffering this very thing.

A few causes for me - and it always seems to be one of these:

1) Weight shift forward/back. I start with weight in my heels, take the club back, but then delivering the club into impact the weight is closer to my toes. There's nothing but hosel to offer the ball.

2) As BrianW stated, I get handsy in the takeaway and use arms. I fan the clubface open (versus keeping it square with a shoulder move) and voilà! Short right squirter.

3) Akin to one of BrianW's other points - I'll "pack" my arms into my chest, start the takeaway (without 1 or 2 interfering) but then relax my arms on the downswing. Off the chest they come, low and right the ball goes.

When none of the above happens, I hit some gorgeous shots.

[Collie]

Re: Shanking Chip Shots

Thx Brian and Dave, makes sense, but why would this creep into a technique that has been solid for so long?
I am playing this afternoon and will apply your advice - I am sure the private bets will be stacked against me after the past few weeks of "S".

[bdbl]

Re: Shanking Chip Shots

Who knows why it creeps in.

I'd been playing some nice golf until 3 weeks ago when suddenly it happened (can't use the word either), I was doing it on all kinds of shots 90% of the time and it took until yesterday to work through it which was really horrible . In the end I took a lesson to identify the problems.

I'd echo DaveGord above in that I don't know why it first happens but from my lesson I do know that once it starts, I start a) getting closer to the ball, as if I want to be all over it b) I lose all width with a quick snatchy takeaway as if I want to get the shot over with as quickly as possible.

Yesterday was nice though - they do stop, you just have to work through it.

[Collie]

Re: Shanking Chip Shots

Thx Guys, all went very well, had to chip for 1st time on the 4th hole, just focused on keeping my arms connected to chest and worked beautifully, confidence is back, had a couple of up and downs from around the green.