Fat shots

[wrx_junki]

I hit fine at the range and can't get any video of me on the course.

I suffer from hitting the ball fat and sometimes thin but fat shots come more often.

Fat = hitting ground before the ball???
Thin = hitting top half of the ball???

Even when I take practice swings it seems that my divot starts before where the imaginary ball is. I have a mini-cast in my swing.

Right now its not even a matter of hitting a slice or hook. Need to hit the ball flush.

[hamletsdead]

I had a problem similar to yours not too long ago, and cured it by focusing an inch ahead of the ball (i.e., looking in front of the ball as the aiming point for the lowest point of my swing) instead of looking at the back of the ball. It seems goofy and was a little uncomfortable at first, but it seems to work very well -- sort of like looking at the hole instead of the ball on 3 foot putts.

[Mr.Wedge]

Fats and thins can be from the same flaw, which is bottoming out prior to the ball. The most common cause is swaying, or allowing the weight to get to the outside of the trailing foot. The right knee is key. Maintain the same degree of flex as you start with and keep it kicked in toward the target a tad. If you find you cannot do that, you are either altering your swing radius or trying to coil too deeply, both of which will throw you off balance.

[deronsizemore]

  Mr.Wedge said:

Fats and thins can be from the same flaw, which is bottoming out prior to the ball. The most common cause is swaying, or allowing the weight to get to the outside of the trailing foot. The right knee is key. Maintain the same degree of flex as you start with and keep it kicked in toward the target a tad. If you find you cannot do that, you are either altering your swing radius or trying to coil too deeply, both of which will throw you off balance.

Pretty much what I was going to say. The two shots stem from the same flaw in the swing. Leaving all of your weight on your right side as you start the downswing.

I don't really agree with the whole right knee being kicked in though. Don't see that as necessary.

[Mr.Wedge]

  deronsizemore said:

I don't really agree with the whole right knee being kicked in though. Don't see that as necessary.

It is the "secret" of automatic sequencing. It is using the dynamics of the swing to your advantage. It is the "aim" of the return.

[wrx_junki]

I think I will try the looking ahead of the ball technique. I heard of people talking about it so why not give it a try.

[chrt396]

Keep your head planted over the ball and then on downswing..hips start clearing shifting weight to left side...still with head over ball..voila...pretty shot. Boy I'll tell you...it just sounds so so easy..doesn't it!

[bruce]

Fat -moving upper body towards the ball on downswing.
Thin-moving upper body away on backswing,

[tm22721]

Find an instructor whose philosophy is the importance of consistent solid ball contact and ball compression. A lost art.

The key to consistency is to use the body instead of the hands, and simplify the body movement. Make the pivot more circular. Eliminate the lateral shift and use a single swing plane. Keep arms close to and synchronized with the body. Maintain clubhead lag. Release the clubhead with the body instead of the hands.

[titaniummd]

  bruce said:

Fat -moving upper body towards the ball on downswing.

I agree. Also releasing the hinge prematurely will make a fat shot, also.