Have you ever been frustrated when hitting consistently behind the ball and finding it difficult to get the distance and accuracy you want on the golf course? Then you are not by yourself. Hitting fat shots, also referred to as hitting behind the ball, is a recurring problem that can negatively impact your game.
Don’t worry, though, because this guide aims to address the most important query: How to stop hitting behind the golf ball? Come along with us as we explore the mysteries surrounding this prevalent problem, providing helpful advice and efficient techniques to help you improve your swing and guarantee crisp, strong ball contact.
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced player, this guide will give you the skills you need to get past this challenge and improve your game. Let’s get started on the fixes and discover the keys to a more reliable and satisfying performance on the golf course.
Why are you hitting behind the scenes?
There are three primary causes for hitting behind the ball, but there’s also a chance you have other motives. Even though it’s possible, we’re pretty certain it’s one of these three. You should attempt to resolve the problem in the same manner in either case.
Maintaining your spine angle
Hitting behind the ball is one of several swing errors that can be caused by maintaining a constant spine angle throughout the entire swing.
During your swing, your body should revolve around your spine in a pillar-like manner.
When a golfer stands up during their downswing, it changes their swing plane and makes their clubface contact with the ground instead of the ball. This is why many players find it difficult to maintain their spine angle throughout their swing.
Sliding Instead of turning
Sliding during your downswing as opposed to rotating your body is another frequent cause of hitting fat shots.
Your weight distribution during your swing plays a significant role in this. By rotating your fixed spine angle and distributing your weight through your legs during your swing, you can achieve this correctly.
If you have trouble with your stance, you might want to work on it as well.
To determine whether this is the reason for your fat shot, it’s easiest to record your swing on camera. The secret to any successful golfer’s skill is sound analysis!
Head Movement
You might be searching for a way to quit hitting behind the golf ball because you’re bobbing your head during the swing.
Self-diagnosing can be challenging because most swings pass by so quickly that it’s difficult to determine what went wrong.
Except for the fact that you’re losing focus, this issue is virtually the same as the previous two.
The saying “keep your eye on the prize” is accurate!
How to stop hitting behind the Golf ball with Irons? Step-By-Step
Tuck your shoulder with your chin
If you suffer from any of the aforementioned causes of a fat shot, tucking your shoulder in is a crucial component of any good swing.
The shoulder nearest to your target or, if you’re right-handed, your left shoulder—is the one we’re talking about.
As you pull your club through your backswing, keep your front arm straight and bring it up so that it sits right under your chin.
Making sure you plant your shoulder in this position will help you keep your head stationary in your swing and can help you reinforce your spine angle. But most importantly, it sets a precedent for the rotation of your swing.
Your swing will swing around your body like a pendulum if you keep your arm straight and your shoulder tucked in.
Shaft Lean
Some people may be surprised to hear this, but you may be hitting fat shots because of your club shaft lean at the address. If you want to learn how to stop hitting behind the golf ball, you must address this.
In essence, you’re shortening the distance between your hands and the ground when you overlean your club during setup.
Similar to how improper weight transfer during a swing can result in a fat shot, improper wrist alignment can cause your club to strike the ground rather than the ball.
You don’t need too much shaft lean at the address, but it is helpful to get some good loft on the ball and ensure that you get under it.
Ideally, you should only want your hands to be slightly in front of the ball if you intentionally lean your club forward. While certain shots may require more lean, you can also simply rely on and take advantage of your club’s loft.
Get Your Ball Position Right
If you are consistently making fat shots, there’s a possibility that you are not positioning the ball correctly.
You can use some general guidelines to guide you, but if you’re looking for advice on how to quit hitting behind the golf ball, your stance is most likely placing the ball too far forward.
Which club you’re using and the type of shot you’re making will determine where you place the ball.
Place the ball on a tee so that it is parallel to the inside of your front foot if you are using a driver.
There’s a good chance you’re standing too close to the ball if your driver hits the ground before the ball.
Use your club to get to your distance correctly to ensure that you get this right:
- As though you were about to take a swing, place your club face behind the ball.
- Remaining in the same position with the club to the golf ball, take a step back.
- Drop your arms to the side. You’re standing the proper distance from the ball if the butt of your club shaft is about 6 inches from your belt buckle and your club is in the same position!
Position the ball more centrally in your body if you’re using an iron. Setting up your ball position correctly should help you stop hitting behind the ball if your clubs are the proper size.
You can also use the above drill to help you get the irons at the proper distance from the ball.
Fix Your Stance
- Getting your stance correct is the first step towards learning how to stop hitting behind the golf ball.
- Likely, your position is off, which explains why you’re making poor shots.
- Making sure your stance is correct requires a few steps, but filming your swing is the easiest to accomplish.
- First and foremost, you need to align your feet. With your irons, space them about shoulder-width apart; with your driver, a little bit closer.
- Additionally, you should flex your knees and bend at the waist. You may be bending your knees excessively if you frequently hit the golf ball behind.
- Consider it this way: when you swing, all you’re doing is letting your knees flex. You’re just flexing; you’re not squatting down.
- Regarding your waist hinge, there is a proper way to do it, though some people may find it repulsive.
- You can spit straight down once in position, or you can just think about spitting, to make sure your waist hinge is correct. You’re in the right place if the spit lands (or would land) between your feet!
How to stop hitting the ground in golf?
For a clean and accurate golf shot, the club must stop hitting the ground before making contact with the ball. Losing power, accuracy, and overall control can occur from hitting “fat” shots that is, shots that strike the ground before the ball. Here are some pointers to help you quit hitting golf balls into the ground:
- Proper placement of the ball: Make sure your stance has the ball in the proper place. The ball for irons should normally be slightly ahead of your stance’s center. It might be nearer the inside of your front foot in the woods. During practice, try out various ball positions to determine which is best for each club.
- Weight Allocation: Keep your weight distributed evenly throughout the entire swing. When you are downswing, try not to put too much weight on your back foot because this can cause you to hit the ground before the ball. Instead, as you begin the downswing, shift your weight slightly in the direction of your front foot.
- Maintaining a stable posture: Maintaining a steady and uniform posture is essential to preventing fat shots. Make sure the angle of your spine doesn’t change from address to impact. Proper club-to-ball contact can be disrupted during the swing, so try not to stand up or dip down.
- Shallow Angle of Attack: When using irons in particular, try to attack from a shallow angle. This implies that instead of taking a sharp downward trajectory when approaching the ball, the club head should take a slightly upward path. Rather than swinging hard down into the ball, concentrate on swinging through the impact zone.
- An appropriate swing plane: Strive to keep your swing plane in the correct position the entire time. An excessively steep swing plane may cause the ball to strike the ground before it does. To make sure your swing plane is in the proper place, practice in front of a mirror or consult a golf expert.
- Relaxed Grip and Wrist Action: Too early landing can be caused by both a tight grip and an incorrect wrist action. Hold the club with a loose grip to facilitate a more organic release of the clubhead upon impact. A controlled release during the downswing and an appropriate wrist hinge during the backswing is imperative.
- Turn Around in the Shot: Make sure your body moves throughout the picture. An incorrect weight shift brought on by a lack of rotation can cause the club to strike the ground too soon. During the backswing and downswing, concentrate on completing the hip and shoulder rotations.
- Practice with a Towel or Headcover: When taking practice swings, place a towel or headcover directly in front of the ball. Making clean contact with the ball while avoiding contact with the towel or headcover is the aim. Your body and mind can be trained with this drill to prevent you from landing too soon.
- Evaluation of the Video: When you review your recorded swings, look for any indications of early ground contact. Examining your swing through video can reveal important information about your mechanics and point out areas in which you can get better.
- Seek Professional Advice: You might want to think about enrolling in golf lessons from a pro. Expert instructors can offer tailored advice and comments to address particular problems in your swing that might be leading to early ground contact.
Recall that patience and practice are necessary for improvement. To improve your technique and get rid of the tendency to hit the ground before the ball in your golf swing, gradually and consistently apply these tips.
FAQs
Why do I always strike the ground before the ball when I play golf?
Various factors, including an uneven swing plane, an inadequate weight shift, or an erroneous ball position, can cause hitting behind the ball. Your chances of establishing a strong contact will increase if you assess and modify these variables.
Is distributing your weight important for preventing fat shots?
Yes, it’s essential to maintain a healthy weight distribution. To avoid striking the ground before the ball, maintain a balanced stance and begin a small weight shift toward your front foot during the downswing.
How can I attack at a shallow angle and what does that mean?
The club approaches the ball from a slightly upward path when it has a shallow angle of attack. Try swinging through the impact zone as opposed to diving hard to create a cleaner strike and avoid making contact with the ground.
Can striking the ground too soon be caused by insufficient rotation?
Proper weight transfer and club path are indeed hampered by a lack of body rotation. To encourage an effective and on-plane motion and lower the chance of hitting behind the ball, make sure your shoulders and hips fully rotate during the swing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it takes a combination of deliberate corrections and committed practice to overcome the inclination to strike the ground before the ball when playing golf. Golfers can greatly increase their chances of making clean and efficient contact with the ball by addressing variables like grip, rotation, swing plane, ball position, weight distribution, and posture.
Adding methodical modifications to your swing, along with targeted practice sessions, will help you become a more dependable and consistent player. It’s important to remember that learning new skills takes time and perseverance, so have patience with the process.
Make use of resources such as video analysis and, for more individualized advice, consult a golf expert if necessary. With these techniques at your disposal, you’ll be more capable of overcoming the obstacle of hitting the ground before the ball, which will lead to better play and more enjoyment on the golf course.