3 wood chunking

[clonewars222]

Since my last lesson, I've basically been focusing on having a better hinge at the top of my swing for a more vertical swing (my swing is usually flat). It's supposed to help hit the ball more solid and not feel like i'm coming in flat and either hitting behind the ball or a big hook. and other things.

The only thing that still isn't working is my 3 wood off the ground. I'm still chunking it to the left sometimes... either that or I'm thinning the ball to the right, sort of like I'm lifting up out of it. I'm wondering if it is only because of a flat swing plane... could it be because of something else?


EDIT: actually now it's more of long irons as well... I went to the range today and focused on a shorter backswing and it actually helped... NOT with my 3 wood though, more with long irons.

[Hamfist]

I was working on this last night. Out of curiosity, when hitting your 3w off the deck where in your stance do you place your ball?

Thanks,

Ryan

[Leek]

Since my last lesson, I've basically been focusing on having a better hinge at the top of my swing for a more vertical swing (my swing is usually flat). It's supposed to help hit the ball more solid and not feel like i'm coming in flat and either hitting behind the ball or a big hook. and other things.

It's a shallow angle of approach from a too flat downswing plane, possibly caused by hanging back. Work to get your weight left at the start of the downswing and it will create a more descending blow.

[Rukus43]

I took a lesson from my local pro recently and he said that I had a very flat swing. I have trouble with hitting my long irons fat and I believe the flat swing is the cause, it makes since if you think about the angle of attack. This week I have been working on getting a little bit steeper backswing and downswing and it is helping.

[squaddie]

It could be you have introduced some involuntary movement in the backswing or downswing, either lunging at the ball (explains the chunking), or raising up in your backswing. Best to take a look on video in slowmotion with the 3 wood and the long irons, take six swings with each from the front view, and see if a pattern can be found in the video.

Doing this is how I found I was lunging at the ball with my short iron, after two instructors missed the problem without video.

[Dub]

I'm all ears and hoping to gain some help.

I've been trying to improve my fairway wood play, too. It may sound stupid...but my biggest swing thought during the practice swing is to keep my left heel grounded. This seems to limit my backswing and keeps me from getting too steep.


I also have been leaning the shaft just a bit forward at address.

[ks8829]

The 3 wood is the most challenging club to hit off the fairway next to trying to hit your driver off the deck.

My best advise is to try hitting your 5 or 7 wood and work back to your 3 wood.

My other advise would be to start with your wedges and work your way up your clubs until you get to your three wood

work on take away position of your club, good luck

[deafheaven]

Ball forward in your stance... don't sway on your backswing, stay still over the ball. For me my 3 wood tends to start slicing if I baby it too much... take a good agressive swing. One other little trick I use to make sure I get through the ball is, during my practive swing, I push the club face down into the ground at address before starting my swing, firmly, bending the shaft. Doing this all but eliminates thin shots for me.. it just get me thinking down and through.

[clonewars222]

Ok, thanks for all the input

The problem was actually that the clubhead was beating my hands to the ball... I had like a 10 minute chat with a pro... any tips on helping me do this consistently?

[normdamarine]

When someone has a flat swing and then they become more upright the initial result is fat shots with longer clubs. The initial cause of this is usually because they try to get to upright with longer clubs, the same swing plane as their shorter clubs. Longer clubs need to be a little flatter with a little more of a accending blow rather than a decending one. I know it may sound difficult but try to pull your hands a little back toward the center of your stance rather than forward. So your shaf tis not leaning toward the direction of the shot. You may initially top a few balls but that is okay, you are trying to get rid of chunks...