My irons have left me.

Question
In the last year my handicap has gone from 12 to 20.  All of a sudden I can't hit my irons.  I don't mean that they go left or right, etc.  Most of the time the hit looks like a shank or I top the ball. Help! I'm going nuts.

Answer
Hi Bob:  For whatever reason you've changed the way to stand up to the ball and it's affecting the path the club travels.  Based on what you've described, I would say you're standing closer to the ball than you were; close enough that your weight at address is back towards your heels.  This causes you to stand more erect as well.  With your weight on the heels, you have poor balance and will have the tendency to raise up as you're coming into the ball.

Another tendency of starting on the heels is to come off them during the swing so that you can shift your weight.  That action also moves you even closer to the ball and at times will cause the hosel to come in contact with the ball, producing a shank.

Because I don't know how you were set up, I would suggest using that which 98% of the touring pros use; namely:
1.  With your knees locked, bend from the hips to reach the ball.
2.  Be far enough from the ball to allow your arms to hang freely from the shoulders.
3.  Once in this position, rock towards the ball until you feel like you may fall forward. (knees still locked)
4.  Then just barely unlock your knees and you should feel the weight go from the tiptoes to the balls of the feet.

Now you can swing from a balanced position without the need to raise up or to rock towards the ball as your weight is already on the balls of the feet so that you can pivot and turn through the hitting area.

To see what I'm talking about, visit my site at http://www.golfnutts.com/profile.html and while you're there, read up on balance too.

If you used to be in this position, it won't take long to adapt.  If not, then it may take some practice to be able to assume this address position naturally.

Good luck Bob, let me know how you do.  Until then,

Fairways and Greens,

John
www.golfnutts.com