Slight pull to the left

[KeefG]

Is there any particular reason why all of a sudden I have started to pull my iron mid to short iron shots to the left slightly?

I still dont have 110% confidence to aim where I want the ball to land as more often than not I tend to have a slight fade on my irons, so I tend to aim slightly down the left side....however lately I have started to pull a fair few of my shots left, which when aiming left already is not a good thing.

Anyone have any ideas why?

 

[The23rdman]

Check your alignment first, mate. Especially your shoulders. After that it could be a number of things only really seeing your swing would help. Maybe we could meet at Garforth for a butchers? I'll bring my camera.

 

[KeefG]

I could do that yes.

My alignment is fine for sure, i'm looking at the ball flying left of where i'm aiming as soon as ive hit it.

On a 7 iron its landing mybe 5-10yds left of where i'm aiming.

 

[centuryg5]

Keef,played with my mate today he's off 2, i did exactly the same thing,more than a few times, he advised me i was too casual on my shot,then i firmed up and hey presto, going straight

 

[KeefG]

Cheers Bill, i'll give it a try fella.

 

[ColinR]

The other thing it might be is that your arms are getting ahead of themselves. This causes the club head to close slightly. When you are at the top of your swing, check that the downswing starts with you hips moving.

Cheers.

 

[birdieman]

Hip rotation - on the downswing if you dont get the hips turning left before the shoulders and arms you will come over the top a little with the upper body which causes a pull left. You can help this by making the stance a little open (set up for a fade) but watch the shoulders, they need to be parallel with the target line.

Shoulder alignment as mentioned already might need an adjustment. If the ball is too far forward in the stance it can open the shoulders so they're aiming left - watch the ball position, maybe move it back a fraction.

Watch out for flipping the hands over at impact, if your grip is a little too strong naybe weaken it a fraction.

 

[funkyfred]

Can I say thanks guys. i have developed the same problem over the last 4/5 weeks and just dont seem to be able to get out of it, and it only happens with the 5 to 8 irons.
I will try your suggestions tonight at the range.

 

[RGDave]

It's hardly rocket science. Lots of players get away with a slight "pull" path and don't notice until they get the face dead square or a degree or two closed.

Often pulling mid/short irons is actually a good sign, because if you've lived with a slicey game for a while, it's good that you are getting it square with the shorter clubs.

I don't go too much on the alignment idea, if most shots go straight and then suddenly short ones don't then it seems odd that a player would be so far out with short irons.

There really are two options.

1) Fix the path....which takes time

or, do what I do

2) make sure you haven't taken too strong a grip and play the short irons a bit like a deliberate fade.
I "cut" most of my shots with 8/9/PW...it feels like it's going to be a slice, but it comes out nice n straight.

 

[Adrena1in]

On a 7 iron its landing mybe 5-10yds left of where i'm aiming.

Crikey, I dream of the day my pulls/pushes only go 5 to 10 yards off target!!