Slicing Sand Wedges?

[ryebread442]

I went up to a driving range to get some practice getting rid of my slice only to find out that it is getting worse. I must have hit 8-10 wedges in a row that barely got three feet off the ground and just sliced dead right ending up at least 50 yards from their intended target. I've done this about three times all year and I'm wondering if this is a result of an over-the-top swing. Also, it seems like my ball striking is getting worse over the summer rather than getting better. Do you have any tips or fixes for this?

[bwdial]

The dead right part sounds like you aren't getting the clubhead through the ball. Sometimes I'll have a brain fart and do this, and the ball goes dead right and stays low.

[bruce]

Take the club to the top and pause for a second and say lower body,do this at the range instead of beating balls out and you will see big improvement.

[senorchipotle]

nope, it's not necessarily a result of coming over the top. sounds like you're probably just $hanking it, e.g. hitting the ball off the hosel. or you could be hitting it dead off the toe. or you could just be hitting the ball with an open clubface and incredibly thin.

[alomar123]

Just make sure as you go to higher lofts you should feel the angle of your shoulders more, as the club is shorter.

[ks8829]

1) with your wedges start with the club at address and then move it down the target line and have the shaft and toe pointing down the line with the face perpendicular to the target.

2) when you take the club back start with your feet together so that if you sway you will lose your balance, you want to take the club back within the natural arc of the club and your arms.

3) once you are hip high continue the club up to the 3/4 position and then to the full swing position while taking the club back in a slow but deliberate move.

4) start to hit balls first at hip high and then 3/4 and finally full swings.

5) you can hit balls with your feet together or slightly apart

6) you focus is on making solid contact, distance and finally direction

7) the down swing is simply returning the club back to the ball and beyond, the focus is on solid contact and not power.

[ryebread442]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Hopefully this is just some sort of problem that doesn't manifest itself on the course.

[Tiger Spuds]

I was doing this for a long time, just with my wedges.Incredibly frustrating.The problem was actually shanking, as someone already mentioned.After it happens, check the hossle for marks and you'll know if it that's the problem or not.If that's what it is then you're probably taking the club back outside the target line, try taking your hands a little deeper in the backswing.You could also try having the feeling of hitting the ball off the toe of the club.That and/or everything ks8829 said and you should be fine!

[PuttPutt]

  ks8829 said:

1) with your wedges start with the club at address and then move it down the target line and have the shaft and toe pointing down the line with the face perpendicular to the target.

Great... I enjoyed the read!

[Zeph]

Sounds more like a shank than slice. You may of course still swing over the top, but if it barely lifts from the ground, you can't possibly have hit it at the face of the club. Try standing a bit farther from the ball, let your hands stretch a bit more away from your body. Without a video, it's hard to diagnose, but it's worth a shot.

[retexan599]

I have learned a lot about my mishits by using impact stickers such as sold by LongShot golf (found them at Golfsmith). You can put them on your wedge club face and see just where along the face you are making contact with the ball. Then you can see how your adjustments pan out. Also...I find I need to close my wedge club face ever so slightly to minimize those squirts right. But try the impact stickers, the knowledge they bring are worth the price.