Coming down with an open face on pitch shots

[markpf189]

Recently, I've started to really mess up badly on all of my shots from the 30-50 yard range, the shots where I am using a half swing. I must be coming down with an open face, because the ball shoots off to the right. I have no confidence in these shots right now, and it's really in my head.

What are usually the causes for this?

[Zeph]

Open clubface. You should work on not doing that. Could be that you rotate it open on the backswing, or on the downswing.

You could be hitting the hosel too.

[Whiskey84]

I caught a case of the shanks on those shots a few months ago. Here's what I did to fix it.
1) Concentrate on staying on your correct plane and using the right amount of wrist in those shots.
2) Make sure you feel comfortable with your practice swings before addressing the ball.
3) Relax. You'll work through it.

[mcgriff]

One word--> Deceleration. Odds are you are slowing down on the downswing to adjust for the shorter shot. When you decelerate everything softens up. Instead of making a nice firm strike at the ball, you may be hitting it a bit behind and the club is twisting around. Alternatively, deceleration can cause you not to square the club head up at impact. Probably a bit of both.

[JackLee]

One word--> Deceleration. Odds are you are slowing down on the downswing to adjust for the shorter shot. When you decelerate everything softens up. Instead of making a nice firm strike at the ball, you may be hitting it a bit behind and the club is twisting around. Alternatively, deceleration can cause you not to square the club head up at impact. Probably a bit of both.

Good answer. Just what I was thinking.