I am about a 8 handicap golfer, but I have a terrible problem with pitch and chip shots. 90% of the time the shot is fine, I can hit high and low pitch with fair accuracy. The other 10% is just a diaster. All will be going well and suddenly I hit the straight right. I mean almost a 90 degree angle from where I am aiming and then I just can’t stop. I look like I have never played the game before. To complete the round I will put away my wedges and use a longer iron with a putting motion and hope for the best.

I know that I leave the club face wide open and my hands are ahead of my body. I can go back home and practice the shot in my backyard and correct the problem by turning over my right wrist but this I know is wrong and pull the ball right. Is there any thing I can do?? I can go for weeks without this happening but when it does I can’t stop.

Please help.

My first thought when someone hits a pitch or chip right is that your weight is moving toward your toes as you hit the shot. This will bring the hosel into play. You also may be moving your legs too much. Most of the time you get away with it through timing, but if it gets a little off you get way ahead of the shot. One remedy is to put more weight on your left foot at address ( given that you are right handed) and try not to have much leg movement. Obviously if you are hitting a 50 or 60 yard shot you will have some. But on a chip or pitch you can leave weight on your left.

The only other thing I can think of is that you might be taking the club back on too flat a plane, then it might be getting even flatter when you come into the ball leaving the club wide open. I agree you don’t want to hit the shot feeling like you are turning the club over. When I’m teaching someone to hit a pitch I try to have them imagine tossing the ball underhand and what position would your right hand be in relation to where you want to throw the ball at impact. Hope that makes sense.

I hope some of this will help. I know it’s a hopeless feeling when you can’t make it work right. But don’t give up. You might try taking a lesson from a qualified instructor. Check out FINDaLESSON.com for a PGA/LPGA teacher in your area.

Elaine Crosby is a 19-year veteran of the LPGA Tour and a member of the Women’s Senior Golf Tour.