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Few shots in golf are more frustrating than hitting the ground before impact. A fat shot not only feels inadequate because the divot travels farther than the ball, but it leaves little time to “get it out” before trying the same shot again.
To avoid the mistake of tearing up your lawn, follow this plan.
1. Check your posture
One of the most common set-up mistakes seen by many heavy-hitting golfers is having the golfer get too close to the ball and club, resulting in an overcrowded set-up posture. Taking a step back and allowing more space between your body and the club is a simple adjustment that can lead to immediate improvement.
2. Set the clubs correctly
The club sole is designed to allow the club to slide on the ground. If you accidentally twist the club when you put it down, the sole will not properly touch the ground and the leading edge can get stuck and dig in. Assuming the grip is installed correctly, simply making sure the mark is centered on the grip when set behind the ball will prevent the leading edge from snagging or digging.
3. Minimize shaft tilt
Leaning the club too far forward at impact can cause the leading edge to bite. This happens most often on short game shots. If you tend to take steep “digging” shots, try to aim the grip end of the club toward the centerline of your body at address.
4. Proper ball position
If the ball is positioned too far forward, it may hit the ground before it does. I say to my students: For hybrids, fairway woods and iron shots, the ball should not be ahead of the driver. If it hits the ground before the ball, try moving the ball back to where the club is hitting the ground.
5. Pivot to the divot
The forward swing requires an athletic pivot with the trail heel off the ground. (Keeping your back foot flat often results in a fat shot.) This shift and pivot will help you take the divot. rear impact. You should practice your underhand throwing motion to feel the correct pivot and add it to your swing.
6. Circular backswing
Every swing is different and although there are so many versions of a good swing, the backswing and almost all correct golf moves are circular. When performing the correct backswing, the underarm lead should be close to the chest. The resulting rotation promotes a circular backswing rather than an accidental straight back. A curved, circular backswing helps prevent you from cutting into the turf from being too steep. The result is a shallower swing path, which not only allows the club to glide easier on the ground, but also allows more power to be generated.
7. Swing to the point of flexibility (no more).
Flexibility generally determines the length of a golfer’s backswing. Golfers who are more flexible tend to have longer backswings. A less flexible player will have a shorter backswing, and that’s okay. I don’t want to swing past my flexibility point. Overswinging can lead to injury. Also, when the body swings beyond its comfortable level, the plane of the swing tends to move up and steepen, causing digging before impact. To test how far your body can swing back, get on your knees and swing your arms as far back as you can without bending your lower body. This will give you an idea of your range of motion and how far back you need to swing the club.
8. Stance Width
At address, your stance should be roughly hip-width and slightly wider for the driver. Too wide a stance increases the number of places the club can hit the ground. A narrower stance will make your swing more rotated and less lateral, minimizing the chance of hitting the ground in front of the ball. Your right knee should intersect your left knee without any gap.
9. Hybrids are your friend
hybrid They have a wider sole than irons, making them easier to glide over the ground. If you hit too many fat shots, consider swapping your low to mid irons for hybrids.
10. Find the Right Wedge
For loft wedges bounce, bounce This basically means that the trailing edge of the club is closer to the ground than the leading edge when the sole is on the ground. There are some great wedges ( Ping Glide Wedge The bounce I use) is so well designed that even with good technique, you can hardly dig the club. This is very useful for players who hit fat shots a lot. Because if you know your club won’t dig into the ground, there’s no reason to be afraid of hitting the ground.
If your shot becomes fat during practice or play, it is essential to react quickly and make the necessary adjustments not only to improve your contact, but also to maintain your confidence. Experiment with the tips above to find what works best for you. Your game will thank you, and so will your admins.