Help- I'm blading wedges like crazy

[albatross]

Played 3 times this weekend, and with my recent grip changes, I hit the ball better than I have in 2 years with my driver and irons.  I couldn't score though because I struggled so much from 80 yards and in.  Every time I put a 56 or 60 degree wedge in my hand, I would blade it 20 yards over the green. For me, that's the most aggravating shot you can hit.

Where do I start here to figure out the issue?  Wedge length, bounce?  It didn't happen when I was hitting like an 8 or 9 iron.  Really just with my wedges.

[newtogolf]

My problems with wedges is usually related to not rotating my body enough like I would with my irons and getting too handsy.

[AmazingWhacker]

I have no idea what the real cause of you blading your wedges is . .but my teacher told me a trick that works pretty well for me.  Slow down your backswing a lot . . . almost to slow-motion speed.

My tendency (one of em) is to get quick, though.  This trick works great for me when I'm struggling.  It probably couldn't hurt for you to try it and see if it helps.  Hope it does!

[Ernest Jones]

Stop trying to help the ball get up, let the loft work for you. Maybe go to the range and try to hit your wedges as low as possible to overcome the scoop instinct.

[Crim]

If this is bad advice, someone please delete this haha. But I think a good drill for you to do would be to practice hitting your wedges with nearly all your weight forward at the start. I did this one day and it helped me get the feeling of hitting down on my wedges...now I can set up normal and produce a proper weight transfer into it.

Don't know if it'd work for everyone, but worked for me.

[Hammer 4]

When I blade my wedges, 99.99% of the time it's because I came out of the shot way to early, i.e. raising my head up. Even after 4 months, I still have to focus on key #1...sigh.

[sundevil31673]

I can definitely feel your pain.  Recently, I had been hitting solid drives (250-265 yards) at the first hole of my home course (Par 4 - 320 yards) leaving me with a 3/4 - full SW into the green.  Invariably, at least 30% of the time I would hit the wedge approach shot thin (leading edge) and over the green.  After looking at my swing, the club pro recommended that I de-loft the club a bit more by using a bit more forward press and lo and behold, much better results and with a nice divot as well. In fact, the additional forward press has really worked well for my gap wedge and mid-to-low irons as well.  Much better ball striking now  Another poster also recommended that you slow down your swing which I completely agree with as I found that the slower my takeaway, the better I typically strike the ball.  What I have also done when possible is take at least 5 good balls (if no other people are playing behind you of course) and hit them all into that first hole's green at SW distance so that I become very comfortable with that 2nd shot. I repeat until I've made all 5 balls.  I find that this, rather than just hitting balls at a target on the range, simulates the pressure of playing an actual hole for a score.  Anyway, good luck and keep at it.

[albatross]

Some good feedback here. Thanks.

[Tenerife]

Make sure your leading with your hands/grip through the ball.

[albatross]

Sure wish I could get out and work on some of this.  Mother Nature isn't letting that happen here.

[inthehole]

my tendency when I start blading is to lean back & stand up slightly = blade city.    Make sure you're not doing that ...

[albatross]

my tendency when I start blading is to lean back & stand up slightly = blade city.    Make sure you're not doing that ...

Yea, I honestly think that might be part of the problem.  I feel like I've noticed myself doing this sometimes.

[carpediem4300]

When I blade my wedges, 99.99% of the time it's because I came out of the shot way to early, i.e. raising my head up. Even after 4 months, I still have to focus on key #1...sigh.

THIS

Major problem of mine once, when i learned to stay down just that bit longer ive not bladed one since i dont think,

My pal played with me on monday and he was chunking/blading all his chips and wedges, i told him to stop looking for it and stay down ont he shot until his arms brought his head round and he out chipped/wedged me the rest of the round,.....

My thought it as soon as i see the divot/chip mark on the grass i rapidly look up so i dont stop the arms/body rotating properly,....any longer and its bad, any sooner also bad!

[mvmac]

Yeah good chance the weight is going back, left knee is straightening too soon. Almost need to feel like you set up with a little weight left and pivot around that left leg.

Notice how the left knee stays "soft" on the followthrough as the hips keep turning. Hips don't back up.

[albatross]

Great stuff here.  Thanks!