A
”
fat
”
shot is probably the number two fault in golf behind the slice.
I think every player hits the fat shot regularly during a round of
golf.
A “fat” shot is probably the number two fault in golf behind the slice. I think every player hits the fat shot regularly during a round of golf.
The bad thing is it usually comes at very unopportune times. You know, when there is a lake or a sand trap in front of you. This leads us to one of the two main causes of a fat shot, which is trying to get under the ball.
You see that lake in front of you and you try to get under the ball to lift it. This move keeps your weight on your back leg instead of transfering your weight to the front leg, which allows the club to travel down and through the ball at impact.
Where ever your weight is when you swing down to hit the ball will be the bottom of the swing. So if your weight is still on your right foot, the bottom of your swing will be opposite your right foot. This will then cause you to hit behind the ball because your ball is most likely positioned near the middle of your stance not opposite the right foot.
The other cause of hitting a fat shot is simply if the ball is positioned too far forward in your stance. For example, if you are trying a seven iron, which should be positioned in the center of your stance, and you instead have ball positioned of the front foot. You will consistently hit the ground toward the center of the stance where the ball should be. In this case there is nothing mechanically wrong with the swing the ball is just too far forward.
So to cure the fat shots, check your ball position and transfer your weight through the swing. Don’t try to lift the ball by getting under it just swing through it.
Remember, when all else fails take a lesson, you’ll be surprised how much we can help.
To schedule a lesson with PGA-certified instructor Don DeLorenzo, call Gilroy GC at 848-0490.
