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I'm having a couple of problems with my wedges that I would like to ask for help with.

1) I am hitting my wedge shots fat. I mean REALLY fat. I was 80 yards out on the first hole Thursday and it took me three shots to get it to the green (that third shot being a chip, not a pitch). I'm trying to stand a bit farther from the ball, stay taller, and keep swinging down on the ball, but it's not working as much as I would like. I have to admit that I am scared of hitting a wedge; I have a mental perception ingrained that it's hard to make good contact while using one. Then again, I'm having the same problem with my other irons as well. So who knows.

2) This might be related to the first problem. On 40-50 yard shots, I have sent a few shots at about a 45 degree angle to the right, never getting very far in the air. It seems like the clubface just twists at impact. Is this probably just me stopping my swing at impact, without following through, or could there be something else there?

I know the problem isn't the club (it's a Cleveland 588 TA 56 degree in good shape). I just can't hit the thing. Any advice?

Are you taking quite a big divot with your wedge shots.......

Sounds like on your backswing, you may be rotating your shoulders parallell to the ground (like a baseball swing) rather than letting your left shoulder rotate up and back.

Focus on feeling that your right arm stays above your left arm in the backswing.

I would say more like a crater.

At the range yesterday I was playing the ball back in my stance more and trying to shift my weight to my left foot during the downswing and that helped a lot. I'll have to try adjusting my shoulder rotation.

Based on what you have said I think your fundamental swingpath with your irons is a big part of the problem. I'd be surprised if one tip or adjustment clears things up.

Unless you're totally averse to seeking outside help the fastest way to get a handle on it would be to go find an instructor to get a good set of eyes looking at your swing.

Good luck!

try taking your club away lower...sounds like you might be getting to steep which will cause fat shots...i was doing the exact same thing early on this year and taking the club back low has fixed it.

You are right by putting the ball into the back of your stance but not to far and to move your weight on to your left side is right but it sounds like you are to upright with your swing and this is why you are hitting the ball fat i believe.......

So maybe I should just play around with the swing plane?

Heres a Drill...that helped me out with some of the same problems you do.....
Place 5 balls...in a straight line and only like 1 - 2 inches apart..... Then hit the closest ball to you...or Pitch it.... I noticed I didnt have enough of an inside plane..and actually hit the first ball and part of the second one. Once you swing is groved you will only hit one ball at a time.. This drill helps so much..when ever I fall into the fat...or shanked shot...I just go back to the basic..5 ball drill..and hit one after the other.

Maybe attack the ball slightly more shallow and also i would have a lesson or two with your local pro as he will be able to sort it out straight away......

Thank you so much for your help. I'll get to hit in a couple of days and hopefully can sort this out. Maybe I can get up a few dollars to learn from a pro...

If you can't get the feeling back in your short game i would defiantly invest in a couple of lessons.......