All the instruction in the world sometimes isn’t enough to bring your game into the form that you desire. If you have been working on your technique, and your mental approach, and you still can’t manage to avoid fat shots, it might be time to try out a simple drill.
The drill we are going to outline in this section is easy to perform at the driving range, and it will help you get over the issue of hitting the ground before the ball.
For this drill, you are just going to need your normal golf equipment, along with a bucket of practice balls. Once you are at the range and ready to go, follow the directions below to get started.
- Take your seven iron out of the bag as the first club you will use for this drill. You can go ahead and use other irons later if you wish, but a seven iron is a nice place to start. Also, you need to pick out a target on the range that is suitable for your seven iron. If you practice at this range frequently, you probably already have a target in mind for this club.
- Place the first practice ball on the ground and get ready to swing away. Before starting your swing, however, there is one other piece of business to take care of. With the ball on the ground, you are going to look for a distinctive spot on the turf two or three inches in front of the ball.
- Even on the nicest driving range, there will almost always be something you can pick out. It may be a slightly longer blade of grass, a discolored spot, or an old divot mark. Whatever the case, find something just in front of the ball to use as your focus spot. When you make your swing, you will actually look at this spot instead of the ball.
- With everything ready to go, feel free to hit the first shot. Remember, you are going to be looking at the spot in front of the ball during the swing, rather than the ball itself. Don’t allow your eyes to deviate from this spot for the duration of the swing. Only look up after the shot has been struck and you are moving into your follow through.
- Feel free to repeat this process as many times as you would like, before going back to your usual technique of looking right at the ball during the swing.
So what is the point of this drill? Simple – it is designed to change your ‘aim point’ in the downswing. If you are looking at the ball and hitting your shots fat, looking slightly in front of the ball may be all it takes to move the bottom of your swing forward.
Now that your eyes have been adjusted, a swing which used to bottom out prior to reaching the ball may actually get all the way to the proper point of contact. After enough repetitions with this drill, you could find that your new clean ball striking carries over, even when your eyes have gone back to their usual spot.
Fat shots, where the club strikes the ground before making contact with the ball, can be frustrating and lead to poor shots. Here's an easy drill technique you can practice to help prevent fat shots:
- Ball Position: Start by ensuring that your ball position is slightly forward of center in your stance for most irons. This promotes a downward strike on the ball rather than hitting behind it.
- Alignment Stick Drill: Place an alignment stick or a club on the ground parallel to your target line, a few inches in front of the ball. The stick should be perpendicular to your target line, forming a T shape with the ball-to-target line.
- Practice Swinging over the Stick: With a mid-iron, take your normal setup and swing the club without hitting the alignment stick. The goal is to make clean contact with the ball without striking the stick.
- Focus on Brushing the Grass: As you swing, pay attention to your club's interaction with the ground. Aim to brush the grass just after the ball, rather than taking a chunk of turf. This ensures that you make contact with the ball first and create a crisp strike.
- Gradually Increase Swing Speed: Begin with slower swings, focusing on maintaining a smooth and controlled motion while avoiding hitting the stick. As you gain confidence and consistency, gradually increase your swing speed while still maintaining the brush-like contact with the grass.
- Transfer the Drill to Real Shots: Once you feel comfortable and consistent with the drill, transfer it to hitting actual shots. Visualize the alignment stick while setting up to the ball and aim to replicate the same brushing motion just after the ball, avoiding any contact with the ground before impact.
- Practice Regularly: Incorporate this drill into your practice routine on a regular basis. It helps to develop muscle memory and build the proper feel for avoiding fat shots. Over time, you'll notice an improvement in your ball-striking consistency.
Remember, it's crucial to stay relaxed and maintain good tempo throughout the swing. Tension or rushing can lead to fat shots. Focus on maintaining balance and a smooth, controlled swing. With dedicated practice and attention to your technique, you'll be able to prevent fat shots and improve your ball striking.
Update:
Easy Drill Technique to Prevent Fat Golf Shots:
Drill: “Tee Drill”
Objective: This drill focuses on preventing fat shots by improving your ball contact and ensuring a crisp strike.
Steps:
- Place a Tee in the Ground:
- Begin by placing a tee in the ground at the same height as the crown of your club. The tee should be positioned just in front of the ball.
- Address the Ball:
- Set up to the ball as you normally would for your shot, ensuring proper posture and alignment.
- Swing with Focus on Tee Height:
- Take a slow and controlled swing, aiming to make contact with the ball without touching the tee. The objective is to strike the ball cleanly, just above the ground, avoiding contact with the tee.
- Repeat the Drill:
- Practice the drill repeatedly, gradually increasing your swing speed as you gain confidence. Focus on maintaining a shallow angle of attack to avoid hitting the tee.
- Transfer to Regular Shots:
- Once comfortable with the drill, transfer the feeling of a shallow approach to your regular shots. The goal is to achieve clean and solid ball contact without hitting the ground excessively before the ball.
10 Q&A on an Easy Drill Technique to Prevent Fat Golf Shots:
- Q: Why do golfers experience fat shots?
- A: Fat shots often result from the clubhead striking the ground before making contact with the ball, leading to a loss of power and accuracy.
- Q: How can the tee drill help prevent fat shots?
- A: The tee drill encourages a shallow angle of attack, preventing the club from digging into the ground before reaching the ball.
- Q: Should the tee be placed for different clubs in the bag?
- A: Yes, you can vary the tee height based on the club you're using. For irons, position the tee lower, and for woods, set it slightly higher.
- Q: Can this drill be done at the driving range?
- A: Yes, the tee drill is suitable for the driving range. It provides a focused way to work on ball contact and prevent fat shots.
- Q: How does weight distribution impact fat shots?
- A: Proper weight distribution helps maintain balance and can prevent excessive shifting of weight to the back foot, reducing the likelihood of fat shots.
- Q: Should golfers focus on a specific part of the ball during the drill?
- A: Aim to strike the ball just above its equator. Focusing on this point encourages a downward, yet shallow, strike.
- Q: Can poor posture contribute to fat shots?
- A: Yes, poor posture can affect the swing plane and lead to fat shots. Maintain a balanced and athletic stance for more consistent ball contact.
- Q: Is it necessary to take a divot for every shot?
- A: No, not every shot requires a divot. However, the goal is to make contact with the ball first and then the turf, ensuring a clean strike.
- Q: How can golfers prevent scooping or lifting the ball?
- A: The tee drill helps prevent scooping by promoting a downward strike. Focus on compressing the ball against the clubface.
- Q: Can this drill be used for pitch shots around the green?
- A: While the tee drill is primarily for full swings, the concept of a shallow approach can be applied to pitch shots to encourage clean contact.
Remember to integrate this drill into your practice routine consistently. Over time, it can help improve your ball-striking and reduce the occurrence of fat shots on the golf course. If you encounter persistent issues, consider seeking guidance from a golf instructor for personalized feedback.
