Slices – Slicing
A Slice is a shot that curves sharply from left to right (for right-handed players).…
Read More How to Fix Fat Shots in Golf
Hitting the ground before the ball is one of the most frustrating mistakes in golf. Fat shots rob you of distance, disrupt consistency and can quickly lead to higher scores. At Spine Align Golf we break down the causes of fat contact and provide simple adjustments that help you strike the ball cleanly and solidly.
What Causes Fat Shots
A fat shot happens when the club bottoms out too early in the swing. This usually occurs when your weight stays on the back foot (right foot for right-handed golfer) during impact or your body rises and falls through the swing. Poor posture, incorrect ball position and early release of the wrists can also cause the low point of your swing to move behind the ball. This is a breakdown of the SpineAlign Swing Fundamentals.
How to Stop Hitting Fat Shots
Check Your Ball Position
A ball that is too far forward makes it difficult to bottom out after the ball. Move the ball slightly back until it matches your ideal iron setup.
Avoid Early Wrist Release
Casting the club or releasing the wrists too early causes the clubhead to reach the ground before the ball. This is usually due to a breakdown of your lower and upper body swing fundamentals. Review our Academy Lessons and use the SpineAlign App to fix your basic swing mechanics.
Rotate Instead of Sliding
A heavy lateral slide during backswing and/or downswing prevents the body from turning properly. This can stall the club and cause early contact with the ground. A controlled rotation helps the club move through the ball cleanly. Use the SpineAlign App with hip belt to fix your hip turn angle mechanics and knee movement.
Keep Your Arms Connected
Disconnected arms often lead to inconsistent contact. Staying connected through the swing helps you control the low point. Keep your upper arms connected to your upper torso. Keep left (leading) hand straight.
Shift Your Weight Forward
One of the most common reasons golfers hit behind the ball is failing to move weight into the lead side (left for right-handed golfers) during the downswing. This happens due to poor lower body mechanics. Focus on getting pressure into your lead foot early so the low point moves ahead of the ball. Use the SpineAlign App with hip belt to fix your hip turn angle mechanics and knee movement. Bend your right knee inwards during backswing to allow weight to shift left.
Maintain Stable Posture
If your body rises or dips during the swing the club will struggle to return to the correct depth. A steady posture from takeaway through impact helps keep your strike consistent. Use the SpineAlign App with vest to fix your spine angle consistency and your shoulder turn angles.
Quick Checklist to Eliminate Fat Shots
- Weight moves into the lead side early.
- Posture stays stable.
- The ball is positioned correctly.
- Wrists release later.
- The body rotates instead of sliding.
- Arms stay connected.
Conclusion
Fixing fat shots requires better control of your balance posture and low points. With small adjustments you can strike the ball first and the ground second leading to cleaner contact and more predictable distances. Explore our guide on How to Fix Thin Shots or download the Spine Align App for personalized alignment and swing path feedback. You can also visit the Spine Align Golf Academy for more detailed instruction and improvement drills.
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