Short Irons - Big Push off toe

[QSPILOTCMH]

Hello,

I have been having a problem with my short irons and wedges. I will hit big pushes (45 degrees offline) and the contact is off the toe. I occasionally hit them straight, or pull them, but the are very weak and don't have much altitude. This problem just started today, however I did it a few times over the weekend with my 9 iron.

I bought NSA 2 weeks ago and it have really helped my swing. I actually started hitting dead straight and occasional hooks with my 3 wood, 5 wood and hybrid. I am backing off on the twistaway to get a straighter ball. I'm not sure if thats causing the issue, but it's pretty bad when I can smoke a 3 wood 210 yards down the fairway and them hit a big push with a PW.

Any ideas what would cause toe contact pushes with my short irons?

Thanks for the help!

[curtisj76]

Are you 100% sure they are off the toe??

[QSPILOTCMH]

Originally Posted by curtisj76

Are you 100% sure they are off the toe??

I'm pretty sure but not 100%. I have not used impact paper but I saw scuffs on the toe, so I starting cleaning my club after each swing. Maybe my toe is grabbing the turf but something was causing scuffs on the toe and the shot felt dead.

I will double check tomorrow. I have no idea where the pushes or blocks came from. I just shot a 54 (which is not good as I usually around 45) but I did not hit any pushes and all my 3 and 5 woods off the tee were great. I decided to hit some range balls after the 9 holes. I hit a few good wedges then the pushes started and never really stopped with my short irons. When they happened to go straight they were dead with no altitude.

Oddly my 5 wood and hybrid are good with a bit of a hook. I'm not sure if the two are related. I have been trying to tame down my twistaway because I was really hooking the ball earlier (which is great as I used to be a nasty slicer!)

[curtisj76]

You could be shanking it.

[QSPILOTCMH]

Originally Posted by curtisj76

You could be shanking it.

I don't think so as everyone goes dead right at a 30-45 degree angle. Don't shanks go all over the place?

I feel like my swing is too upright with the short irons but it may no be. I am making a full turn but no help. My woods are fine.

[curtisj76]

Originally Posted by QSPILOTCMH

I don't think so as everyone goes dead right at a 30-45 degree angle.

I'm not an expert, but you just gave MY definition of a shank. I'm sure others will chime in.

[Shot Limit]

Sounds like a shank to me hoss.

[QSPILOTCMH]

Thanks I have never had them before. I was almost sure I was making toe impact.

Is it normal to hit woods straight and long and shank the short irons?

Any drills you would suggest?

Thanks

[curtisj76]

You may be coming from the inside too much (you mentioned pushes and hooks). There's an all-star post on here from BManz. Try to search for "shank" and look for a huge thread. Tons of info in it including a video.

[Jay845]

If it is in fact a shank, perhaps you are lagging the hosel instead of the sweetspot and you are not maintaining the twistaway in your downswing with your short irons. I believe there is a chapter on this in NSA. I would review that area first.