A thin golf shot is a shot when the golf ball strikes the bottom part of the clubface. This can be anywhere from ½ inch or more located below the centre of the clubface depending on how large your irons or woods are. The golf ball will typically travel very low to the ground or at least lower than your normal centred strike.
What is a thin shot in golf?
As a result, they hit the ground first (fat shot) or catch the ball on the upswing (thin shot). If that sounds familiar, let me give you two simple keys.
What is a fat golf shot?
A fat golf shot is what occurs when you attempt to hit the ball, but you hit the ground first which results in a poor shot that hardly goes any distance followed by a large divot. Fat golf shots are also referred to as duffed shots or scuffed shots, but as previously mentioned, it has happened to everyone that ever picked up a club.
What is a pulled shot in golf?
A pulled shot is one where the ball is hit in a straight line – with no side spin – but to the inside of the target, i.e., left of the target for right handed golfers. Upon landing the ball will roll as it would if it was hit straight.
What is a punch shot in golf?
A punch shot is one where the elevation of the ball is kept lower than usual for any given club. A golfer will hit a punch shot when he’ll want the ball to stay underneath obstacles such as tree branches and leaves or to lessen the impact of strong winds, for example.
What does a thin golf shot look like?
In golf a thin shot – or a golf shot hit thin – is one that see the club hitting the ball below its equator. But in contrast to a better shot that sees the clubface striking the ball inside the sweet spot hitting it thin will often see the leading edge of the club making contact with the ball.
What happens when you hit a thin shot?
1:487:11HOW TO STOP HITTING THIN GOLF SHOTS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo a thin shot is when the bottom edge of the club is too much against the ball or up high on theMoreSo a thin shot is when the bottom edge of the club is too much against the ball or up high on the ball like that that's what that is now. Listen there's no na benefit to hitting way down on the ball.
What is a power shot in golf?
0:132:20Bill McKinney - Low Line Power Shot Golf Drill - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne of these shots is a very very low shot a power shot that goes maybe even 200 yards. And only sixMoreOne of these shots is a very very low shot a power shot that goes maybe even 200 yards. And only six feet in the air or something like that mr.
What does hitting it thin mean?
In the vocabulary of a golfer, a 'thin' shot is one which is struck low on the face. Hitting the ball just a bit thin might mean hitting it only a single groove below the sweet spot. On the other hand, you could hit your shot extremely thin and barely make contact at all.
Why do people hit irons thin?
Golfers who hit a lot of thin shots tend to swing the club too steeply into the ball. That's because they slide past the ball on the downswing and have to force the club down to make contact. When they slide too far, they catch only the top half of the ball, hitting it thin.
Why do I hit my driver well but not my irons?
There is a myriad of reasons why you hit your driver better than your irons. However, the root cause for most golfers stems from posture, the position of the ball in your stance, and your swing plane. Plus, the optimal ball speed and forgiveness produced by a driver make it easy to launch.
What is the difference between a fade and a power fade?
A power fade is more accurately labeled as a “release fade,” because it allows golfers to fully release the club through impact. I'll explain it below in terms of a right-handed golfer, so if you're left-handed, simply reverse the directions.
What are the 9 basic golf shots?
Looking to add another dimension to your shot shaping ability when on the course? This simple drill will have you ready for anything the course throws at you. Shots include a High Draw, Mid Draw, Trap Draw, High Straight, Normal, Punch, High Fade, Mid Fade, and Low Fade.
What are the 4 types of strokes in golf?
Most shots in golf can be categorized into the following types of shot:Drive. This is a long distance shot usually taken from the tee, but can also be taken from the fairway if necessary. ... Approach. ... Putt. ... Lay-Up. ... Chip. ... Punch. ... Flop. ... Draw.More items...
How do you not thin a golf shot?
5:3715:12[SIMPLE FIX ] Stop Hitting Thin Shots During Your Golf Game - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake the club up to the top let your left arms start working back down again your left thumb isMoreTake the club up to the top let your left arms start working back down again your left thumb is gonna get away from your right shoulder as you're turning and shifting your weight that'll.
Why do I FAT my irons?
One of the main reasons that golfers hit fat shots is they are desperately trying to get the ball in the air. Instead of keeping their upper body over the ball (where the sternum is directly above the ball at impact), they lean back through the contact.
Why do I top my irons?
Typically, a ball is topped because the club has not gone far enough down towards the ball or you catch the ball on the way up, instead of at the bottom point. A lot of things can cause this to happen: A club that's too short. An awkward stance.
What is a straight shot in golf?
Straight. A golf ball hit straight will travel directly in line with the target, from the moment it is struck all the way to the moment when it lands. A perfectly straight shot will not veer sideways at all and the amount of roll upon landing will be determined by the club selected. For example, a ball hit with a 9-iron will roll less ...
What is a pulled shot?
A pulled shot is one where the ball is hit in a straight line – with no side spin – but to the inside of the target, i.e., left of the target for right handed golfers. Upon landing the ball will roll as it would if it was hit straight.
What is a ball that travels along a hook flight path?
A ball that travels along a hook flight path is one that will start to the outside of the target line before curling aggressively towards the target and passing it before finally coming to rest to the left of it. Balls hit in such a way will carry a lot of topspin and as a result will roll a considerable distance after landing before coming to rest.
Why is it desirable for a golf ball to fade?
Good: Such a ball flight is deemed to be desirable because the ball will eventually land near the intended target.
What happens when a golf ball draws?
A golf ball that draws will begin to travel outside of the target line before coming back towards the target. Thanks to the topspin generated balls that travel along that flight path tend to roll a little more upon landing than one hit straight. Good: Although it veers off course in the beginning, a draw is deemed to be desirable because ...
Where does a golf ball go when it travels along a pulled hook flight path?
A ball that travels along a pulled hook flight path will start to the inside of the target line and will proceed with curling aggressively to the inside still, before coming to rest way left of the target (for right handed golfers).
Why are hooks considered bad shots?
Bad: Hooks are considered bad shots because contrary to draws – which also go from right to left – balls hit with a hook will miss the intended target.
What is a good image for a tennis player?
A good image is that you’re back-handing the ball, like a tennis stroke. If you get those two moves right, you’ll swing into impact with your weight forward and your wrists firm—two things every good ball-striker does.
How to hit a tennis ball with your back?
First, make your initial move from the top a little bump onto your front foot. Feel like you’re shifting toward the target, so your chest is over the ball. Second, get to impact with the back of your top hand facing the target (left), not pointing upward. A good image is that you’re back-handing the ball, like a tennis stroke.
Who were the two golfers in the 2003 Presidents Cup?
In the 2003 Presidents Cup in South Africa, two of the sweetest swingers at that time, Adam Scott and Stuart Appleby, were matched against two of the most unconventional, Jim Furyk and Jay Haas. As they warmed up, murmurs from the crowd suggested the “pretty” swings had it made. At one point, Jay said to Jim, “I bet those people don’t give us much of a chance.” Jim laughed, and the Americans went on to win, 6 and 5, one of the most lopsided victories in the history of the event. Don’t get me wrong, Adam and Stuart are tremendous talents. (I taught Adam for years.) But the only real barometer of a golf swing is the shots it produces.
Do golfers hit the ground first?
A lot of golfers never get over the instinct to lift the ball off the ground. They swing off their back foot or flip their hands through impact, both of which make the club bottom out too soon. As a result, they hit the ground first (fat shot) or catch the ball on the upswing (thin shot).
What is a fat shot in golf?
A fat golf shot is what occurs when you attempt to hit the ball, but you hit the ground first which results in a poor shot that hardly goes any distance followed by a large divot. Fat golf shots are also referred to as duffed shots or scuffed shots, but as previously mentioned, it has happened to everyone that ever picked up a club.
How far should your body be from your hips when hitting the golf ball?
When you are getting ready to hit the ball, make sure you are leaning forward and your body is about 20 degrees from your hips. You should also make sure that you aren’t dipping your body because low posture can lead to fat golf shots.
How to hit the ball properly?
To hit the ball properly, your golf swing should turn around the body, not make your move in an awkward up and down motion. You should try and make sure that your shoulders are level before swinging at the ball to avoid a steep swing that will likely result in a fat shot .
Why is posture important in golf?
When it comes to golf posture is very important, because it affects how you hit the ball. Before you swing your club, make sure that you have the right posture, which means that your chin should be up and your head should be away from your chest. This will make it easier for you to swing through and hit the ball very well.
Why is it important to swing the club on the opposite side?
When you are swinging the club, it is important that you move your weight to the opposite side when you are on your downswing. Having too much weight on one side causes the body to twist like a bow and makes it difficult to get the lateral movement you need to hit the ball properly.
Which side of the golf club should you swing on?
If you have ever had a lesson on how to properly swing your golf club, you should know that swinging the club properly requires you to transfer weight from your right side to your left side (right-hander).
Is a swing plane too shallow?
swing plane is not TOO steep or shallow. We stated earlier that hitting the ball steeply will result in a fat golf shot, which is why you should try to flatten your shoulder turn which will encourage a shallower plane. If you are on too shallow a plane, you should push your club away on your backswing, that way it doesn’t come inside ...
How to throw a golf club toward the ground?
It can be helpful to practice this by placing a ball in your right hand, from your golf posture. Allow the elbow to fold as it would in your backswing and then throw the ball so that it hits the ground.
What ruins a golf swing?
Nothing ruins a great golf swing like a loss of balance. Assuming you’re in a good set up to start, it only takes a small loss of balance to cause you to top the ball. A good check of balance is holding your finish until your golf ball lands.
How to get the ball down to the ground?
1. Bad Posture. Good posture is the basis for solid contact. Bowing forward from your hips so that your hands can hang below your shoulders can put you in balance and also get the club down to the ground. Too much knee flex or squatting can often make it extremely difficult to get the club down into the turf, and therefore get the ball into the air.
How to brush grass without a club?
Keeping your hands away from your sternum can help to maintain the width of your backswing, making it easier to brush the grass. One of my favorite drills for feeling this is to hold your lead wrist with your trail hand. From here, make your backswing without a club and feel your trail arm pull your lead arm wide.
What is the most common miss in golf?
One of the most common misses is topping or thinning the golf ball. Often, a thin shot can be recoverable, but topping can be a score-killing shot, and immensely frustrating if you don’t know what’s causing it. In simplest terms, in order to get the ball up into the air — and not rolling across the ground — is to hit down into the dirt.
How to improve your swing?
Maintaining momentum to the swing can often be a great help to this athletic movement. 10. Make up your mind and commit. Sometimes, to make a change, you have to commit to making an uncomfortable motion. It’s okay to make the opposite mistake and hit too much ground on the way to improvement.
How to make golf clubs easier?
Having a proper grip — where you hold the club in your fingers rather than in your palm — can make this so much easier. Having a lot of your hand on the club allows security without tension. Not only does this make it easier to make solid contact, it also allows you to generate speed and increase distance. 8.
1. Check the bounce on your wedges
When you’re selecting a club for a pitch shot, you want to select one with a high amount of loft and bounce. Bounce is, in a nutshell, a rounded bottom of your club which prevents the club from digging. Think of it like a flat side of the stone as it skips across water.
2. Posture matters
It always surprises me when my student has perfect full swing posture, only to default to a sloppy, squatty posture on their shorter shorts. When this happens, you’ll struggle to make consistent contact.
3. Center your setup
In order to use the bounce properly, you need to set up properly in order to engage your club’s technology. I want to see the markings on your grip centered, so it’s running perpendicular to the ground. The shaft should also be centered in the middle of your feet.
4. Never lift the ball
It’s counterintuitive, but in order to get the ball up, you need to hit down. If you try to lift the ball into the air, you’ll most likely catch the ball thin. It’ll go too far and very low.
5. Swing size controls distance
Part of what makes pitching so tricky is that you can’t just make solid contact, you also have to control the distance to a specific degree.
6. Tweak your setup
One extremely helpful way of controlling your swing size is to alter your setup to help you do it. Narrowing your stance and the location you place your hands on the grip and chance the size of your swing.
7. Swing should be relatively equal
Now that we know the size of your swing backswing controls distance, you may be wondering about your follow through. And while not all golfers make the same identical motion, I believe your backswing and follow through should be relatively equal on pitch shots to keep a good rhythm.
What is the intention of a golf ball?
The intention is to send the golf ball on a high-arcing trajectory, steeply up and steeply down, so that when the ball lands on the green it stops quickly, with very little roll.
What is a flop shot?
The flop shot is a specialty shot in golf, typically played in order to get the ball over a hazard (such as a bunker) between the golfer and the flagstick; or from just off the green when the golfer is short-side d and needs the ball to stop very quickly once it lands on the putting green. Any time the golf ball is in a position where ...
How to carry a lob wedge?
If you want to carry a lob wedge, you'll need to know how to use it. These are the basics of playing a flop shot: Open the face of your lob wedge to increase the loft even more. Set up with the golf ball a bit more forward in your stance than normal.
How many degrees of loft does a lob wedge have?
A lob wedge has around 60- to 64-degrees of loft and was originally created specifically to play lobs, also known as flops. A flop shot can be played with other wedges if the golfer lays the clubface wide open in order to add loft, but the lob wedge is the ideal club. Not all golfers carry lob wedges — high handicappers, generally speaking, ...
How to make a flop shot?
Bend your knees a little more than normal. Make a full swing, keeping the lower body quiet and letting your arms and hands to most of the work. Swing through to a full finish. It's that full swing, accelerating into impact, that can make flop shots challenging for many recreational golfers.
Do all golfers carry lob wedges?
Not all golfers carry lob wedges — high handicappers, generally speaking, do not, because they aren't as likely to attempt a specialty shot. But most low-handicappers plus golfers who simply love the short game do now carry lob wedges.
What does it mean when a golf club hits the ground before hitting the ball?
Indeed, a fat shot occurs when the club penetrates the ground before it makes contact with the ball. On the flip side, it will increase your chance of topping the ball. Topping the ball occurs when the club will strike the top half of the ball on a descending blow.
What does it mean when a golf ball is placed further back?
Positioning the ball further back will change the angle of the shaft in relation to the ground. Also known as the shaft lean, this will lead to a reduction in your clubface’s loft angle in contrast to what it would be if the ball was located in the centre. Ultimately, a reduced loft angle will lead to a lower flight path.
How does a ball forward affect loft?
Positioning the ball forward in your stance changes the normal loft angle in your club. Indeed, because contact is made past the middle of the stance the angle of the clubface will point towards the sky more than it normally would. This in turn will lead to a higher ball flight.
What is the meaning of "lower ball flight"?
Lower ball flight. In order for the ball to remain low and clear branches (or other obstacles), for example in a punch shot. In order to mitigate the effects of a strong headwind. Lower odds of hitting it fat. Useful for delicate chip shots.
Why does impact occur sooner in swing arc?
Impact Occurs Sooner in the Swing Arc. Because of the ball’s relative back position, the club will struck it sooner than it normally would and it will do so while the clubhead is descending towards the ground. In turn, this will decrease your chances of hitting it fat.
Where is the ball center in golf?
Ball Center. A normal – or default – ball position in golf would be one that sees it located in the middle of the stance, in the center. In other words, the ball is located the same distance from the left foot as it is to the right. The following adjustments can be made to that position with the associated consequences listed below.
What is alternate shot golf?
"Alternate shot" is a golf competition format in which two golfers play as partners, playing only one golf ball, taking turns playing the strokes. In other words, the two golfers alternate taking shots .
Who plays the third stroke in golf?
The third stroke is played by Player A. Then Player B hits the fourth. They alternate hitting shots until the ball is in the hole. They also alternate hitting tee shots, so since in our example, Player A hit the drive on the first hole, on the second hole Player B tees off, and so on throughout the round.
What is the rule for alternate shot?
Rule 29-1 says that penalty strokes do not affect the order of play in alternate shot. Rule 29-2 says that in match play, the partners on a side lose the hole if they play out of order. And Rule 29-3 says that in stroke play, playing out of order results in the cancellation of the stroke and a penalty of two strokes, ...
Who tees off first in golf?
They decide among themselves who tees off first on the first hole. Let's say they decide on Player A to hit the opening tee ball. So on the first hole, A hits the tee shot. They walk to the ball, and Player B hits the second shot. The third stroke is played by Player A.
What is the goal of an iron shot?
For an iron shot, however, the goal is to hit down on the golf ball. Another way to say this is that your moment of impact should occur before the low point of your golf swing. It’s important to make this distinction when discussing how to hit irons because this whole down/up thing trips up a lot of golfers.
How to hit down on a golf ball?
To Hit Down on the Golf Ball: At setup, position the ball in the center of your stance. Shift your hands toward the target just slightly so the club is in front of the club head. In the transition, think about pulling on the club with your lead hand instead of throwing the club out and down with the trail hand.
How does the club head change direction?
Think of the shape your club head makes as you swing through the golf ball. As you move through the transition at the top of your swing , towards the ball , the club head is traveling at a downward angle. At some point (more specifically, at the low point), your club head changes direction.
What irons are considered long irons?
First, make sure you know which irons are considered “long” and which are “short.”. Your long irons (2, 3 and 4) have a lower loft and are designed for more distance. (1 irons if you have them) Short irons (8, 9 and pitching wedge) have a higher loft and help you pop the ball up in the air as you get closer to the green.
How to get a feel for swinging irons?
Take your iron setup without the golf ball. As you swing the club back, step the trail foot back and behind your body so it’s perpendicular to your lead foot. Then step the trail foot back into place as you swing through. This drill helps you get a feel for strong rotation and natural movement in the body.
How to get better at golf?
As you take your golf setup, allow your head to float up a bit instead of tucking your chin close to your chest. Stay relaxed in the neck and shoulders. As you swing away from the ball, allow your head to slide away from the target. This accommodates for better rotation, better speed, and a better shot.
How to avoid steepness when swinging a long iron?
However, you don’t want your angle of attack to be as steep as it is when you’re hitting a short iron. In order to avoid that steepness, position the ball just slightly forward of center.
