Chunking approach iron shots

[jmontgo3]

Hey everybody, so I'm a pretty average below-average player, with my main goal being to break 100, which I've done only once. Now that that's out of the way, I keep seeming to chunk my iron / approach shots that are within 150~ yards to the green. My two practice swings are generally crisp with a minimal divot, which I think is ideal? But when it comes time for my real swing and contact, I end up with a huge divot and don't send it very far. Anyone know why this could be happening?

[PiKapp23]

A lot of times this is caused by one of 2 swing faults:

1) Dipping head or shoulder/body on the swing.

2) Attempting to hit 'at' the ball instead of 'through' the ball.

To some degree both issues might be one and the same - you may be dipping down in attempt to hit 'at' the ball. A couple of things you can try (but will require some practice) is to start with a forward press of hands (hands a little ahead of clubface at address) and make sure to keep your head stable. This is easier said than done but is one of the keys to consistent iron play. Essentially what the stable head position (no dips or sways) does is creates a consistent spine angle that you turn on instead of swaying away from the ball or dipping into ball. I have a tendency to this day to do this, especially on wedge shots where I know I want a little extra spin. A good thing to remember about hitting 'at' the ball is that you want to swing 'through' the ball, which is usually what players are going when they take practice swing - they are swinging 'through' a spot instead of trying to hit that particular spot and thus their practive swings tend to be smoother.

If you could see yourself on video you would probably find that you are dipping into ball or swaying. If you can do this, give it a try. Sometimes the visual evidence is can helpful. Good luck.

[Stacey_E]

Really good advice by PiKappa.

I rarely take a full practice swing next to the ball, it is never the same as my real swing anyway. I'd bet that on your practice swings you are probably making a smooth move, then when you introduce the ball into the equation....well you know the rest.

I have bad tendancy myself, in every shot I hit, to dip. It's not my head or spine coming down necessarily. My legs flex a lot during the downswing. I don't have any problem with standing up on the shot. It is quite the opposite for me. The only way I can remotely get away with it is by trying to keep my hands ahead of the clubface.

One thing I might advise is to take one more club than you need on your approaches. This way you can make a smooth swing, just like your practice swing, and not have to subconsciously hit the ball. Just swing through it.

[Chief Broom]

Another quick fix for this (I like the advice about taking one club more than usual and swinging easier) is to back the ball up in your stance. Basically you want to contact the ball first and then the ground. You might actually be playing the ball too far forward, but in any event moving the ball back can help with this problem (especially if this is a consistant problem you face).

[jmontgo3]

Awesome thanks for the advice, I'll try out these ideas next time I play!

[$2 Nassau]

I spent my first 2 years playing golf chunking probably at least 50% of my iron shots. Hell, I almost quit the game.

For me, it was the ol' deceleration. I would get tentative and slow down just before impact, my hands would stop and the clubhead would keep going and bottom out before the ball. You must accelerate through the ball, hands first.

It goes back to PiKapp's #2 above. Swing through the ball. Hard!! Yes, I said hard. Hit the damn thing hard with smooth acceleration. Stop thinking about swinging SLOW and think swing SMOOTH.

People telling me to "swing slow" was the worst advice I ever got.

Good luck.

[SubPar]

...

Yes. You have to be sure to swing through like you know what you are doing. When you have doubt or anxiety and don't commit to the follow-through you often decelerate and chunk it. Same thing as in sand - release the club head and follow through.

SubPar

[Golf Gotham]

Go to the range and hit balls with your eyes closed. You may be thinking too much while facing the ball. You have to learn to trust your swing. Swinging with your eyes closed heightens your feel for the swing, forcing your mind and body to focus on your swing path rather than the ball.

[SasQuatch<3]

I sometimes find the same problem, and it sucks! I think you might just be to focused on hitting the ball and getting it into the air. Let the club do the work, the ball will go up and try to hit to hit throught the ball making a complete full swing. Hope this helps, it helps me out!

[TN94z]

Another problem could be weight transfer. Most of the time I find that when I hit it fat, then I have left my weight on my back foot. Make sure you get you weight forward or you will hang back and hit it fat.

[HackerD]

Good posture in the stance helps too. Straight back, butt out, maintain during the swing. Hit down on the ball.

[Teyber]

ive seen some great advice in this thread

personally when i hit an approach shot fat, it usually has to do with me decelerating on my downswing.

there is a difference between accelerating and rushing though

Hope this is helpful

[hawkbirdie]

I also had the same problem or chunking almost all of my approach iron shots. I went to the range and these tips helped a lot! I moved my hands in front of the clubface and tried a smoother swing, but swung through the ball, and not at it. I was a lot more consistent, now I just have to wait and see if it holds up on the course.