Lately I've been chunking and skulling too many short game shots. I think the source of the problem is I've been trying to use too much shaft lean, thus eliminating the bounce of the club. I'd always thought forward shaft lean was a good thing in all golf shots. Maybe not for short game wedge shots.

Here's Ben Crane discussing this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZLuaxmT9gc

It's funny though, because I went to the golf channel's website and they have two short game instruction videos right next to each other, one saying not to lean the shaft and the other saying the opposite.

I'm gonna try getting the shaft back to vertical (no shaft lean) and see if that improves the short game.

I use forward shaft lean on all my shots. What I have found helps me make consistent pure contact on wedge shots is by visualizing an taking a couple practice strokes emphasizing brushing or taking a divot in the correct spot; just forward of the ball.

Personally, I think you need to use both methods. Some shots require forward shaft lean and others, you want to let the bounce interact with the turf. It just depends on the lie and shot you're trying to hit.

Yeah I dont think the shaft lean is your problem. Not seeing your strike it more than likely you are moving your head during the downswing forward which causes you to get steep and either chunk it or flip it. Try chipping with out moving your lower body. Just get a good flex, weight a bit forward(which will help the shaft lean on its own at impact), and chip with your shoulders keeping your head still. Kind of like a twisting motion with the upper body. Should help that chunk and thin.

1. Snap wedge in half.
2. Bump and run.
3. ??????????
4. Profit.

I've gotten to where i only use my 56* wedge when i am in the sand, or very few situational shots. I use my 52* for everything between ~115 and 30 yards. As i get closer to the green i use less lofted clubs, down to about a 7 iron for fringe shots. Decreases chunked/bladed shots, for me, by a large margin, and I can get WAY better distance control.

Anyway, when I do hit short game wedge shots, I guess i do have some shaft lean. I set up with the ball toward my back foot, mainly just to make sure i make contact with the ball first so i don't chunk it.

Bellywedge?

I agree with HouAggie. Golf is a game of so many different shots.

Played Bryan Muni today, and 2 of my best rescue pitches were with lower lofted irons (like 8 and 9) that I sort of picked off the surface (one of them because the ball was on gravel-y stuff) without much shaft lean.

Yes, I'm a high handicap ha. But at the same time, there were a few instances where I played with serious shaft lean to roll the ball out some up a hill, etc.

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Bellywedge?

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Cheater