Fat full shots with my 56 degree wedge.

[TheCityGame]

My ball striking has been pretty good lately, especially with irons. I recently had a round where I hit 12 greens in regulation (11 of the last 13). Also, recently in my league, I hit all 9 greens in reg (but that's with preferred lies, and we were playing red/white/blue so take that with a grain of salt). I've been all over the par 3's.

 

However, twice yesterday, and several other times recently, I BURIED my 56 wedge behind the ball. I hit it full about 105, when I hit it. My gap wedge goes 115-120.

 

I'm not having the problem when I'm using it for partial shots from 0-80 yards or so.

 

I really want to score with this club, but I'm starting to think I should just use the gap wedge down to 80-90 yards and forget about the full sand wedge.

 

Has anyone else struggled with this? I feel like it added 3 strokes onto my round yesterday.

 

I'm of 3 ideas:

1) Stop hitting it for full shots, and use the GW for partial shots down to 80.

2) Keep hitting it at the range (yes, a grass range) until I can't miss it.

3) Looking for a tip that might help me hit it as consistently as I'm hitting the GW and other irons.

 

Thanks.

[jwillf350]

When I over swing with my 56 wedge, I come out of the shot and hit it fat. I guess I am saying you maybe over swing and dropping your shoulder causing you to hit fat shots,

[596]

Another possibility...........

The bottom of your swing arc is behind or under the ball. I find the bottom of my swing arc is where I am looking when addressing the ball. If I look at the ball with the 56* in my hand I WILL hit it fat. The bottom of the arc is AT the ball and this is not where it should be. With the 56* or most other short clubs the bottom of the arc should be in front of the ball, after impact. So, when addressing the ball with a 56* I focus on a piece of grass about 3" in front of the ball. This moves the bottom of the swing arc to in front of the ball so you catch the ball on the way down, then bottom out the arc, and follow through. = no fat shots!!

[MonteScheinblum]

[quote name='TheCityGame' timestamp='1306512916' post='3266936']
My ball striking has been pretty good lately, especially with irons. I recently had a round where I hit 12 greens in regulation (11 of the last 13). Also, recently in my league, I hit all 9 greens in reg (but that's with preferred lies, and we were playing red/white/blue so take that with a grain of salt). I've been all over the par 3's.

However, twice yesterday, and several other times recently, I BURIED my 56 wedge behind the ball. I hit it full about 105, when I hit it. My gap wedge goes 115-120.

I'm not having the problem when I'm using it for partial shots from 0-80 yards or so.

I really want to score with this club, but I'm starting to think I should just use the gap wedge down to 80-90 yards and forget about the full sand wedge.

Has anyone else struggled with this? I feel like it added 3 strokes onto my round yesterday.

I'm of 3 ideas:
1) Stop hitting it for full shots, and use the GW for partial shots down to 80.
2) Keep hitting it at the range (yes, a grass range) until I can't miss it.
3) Looking for a tip that might help me hit it as consistently as I'm hitting the GW and other irons.

Thanks.
[/quote]

Very possible your swing is too long on the full shot.

[grahler]

Why the he-ll would you be taking a full swing with a god--mn wedge?! The idea is control with these scoring clubs. If you have a gap wedge to cover the distance you need comfortably and reliably...use it for god's sake!

[PingG10guy]

When I used to game a 56 I hit it 110 yards with a driver-length swing. Now I hit the 52 the same distance with a controlled swing and I never have the opportunity to wonder about hitting a hard 56 or soft 52 because I no longer game it.

[MadGolfer76]

A couple thoughts,

Either choke down a hair, or move the ball back in your stance a tad. OR, put your weight slightly on your forward side.

[rosco454]

I would just use the gap wedge as opposed to a full swing.I never use full swings with gap/sand/lob wedge (apart from maybe longish bunker shots) as I find there is no control with a full swing.

Cheers Ross.

[TheCityGame]

Thanks for some of the ideas.

Why am I taking a full shot with a 56? Basically, I want to work down as far as I can with full swings before I go to partial swings. My gap is 115, so if I didn't use the 56 for a full, I'd be backing the GW off all the way to 90 yards, then move into the 56.

Full with the 56 gets me down to 100 before I start backing off. and, i like the action I get off it. it stops where it hit.

When I say "full swing" with the wedges, It's not driver length swing. It's a full wedge swing, which is shorter than the the driver swing.

I had a pretty good day with it at the range today. Rounds tomorrow and wednesday.