Fat iron shots

[andef]

Just had a session on the range (on real grass) this afternoon and all my missed shots were fat shots, also hit a bunch of sliced shots with my irons. I play roughly 36 or more holes a week and have a few practice sessions at the range, although these are on mats so fat shots almost feel like normal ones. Ball striking was my strength in June/ early July, then I took a one month layoff and the course is really spongy. I wouldn't blame my fat shots on the soft ground as I still hit good shots sometimes and we are allowed to place the ball if its wet under it. Any tips on how to stop my fat shots? I should probably also mention that I'm having lessons once a week and my swing has quite changed (and improved) over the past few months although I'm not scoring well

[enduro]

As you pointed out, mats hide swing flaws like a fat shot.

Just how fat are you hitting it? Different golfers have different definitions of fat shots. Some are pretty thick where as others simply strike slightly lower than preferred.

Make sure you aren't swaying backwards much at all. Maybe you're overturning your hips? I had an issue in the past where I wouldn't create enough angle between my hips and shoulders because I was overturning my hips and I opened myself up to hitting fat shots, sometimes very often and very thick. The swing became way too flat. It was terrible and I'm grateful I got past that.

[kleraudio]

Enduro can you elaborate on that...

What exactly is a flat swing?? Ive been working on taking my club back more to the inside and I hit A LOT of fatties today at the range, I was disgusted and thought about leaving the game!! Thats how bad it was. Went there with a plan to learn to hit fades/draws and left pissed that I couldnt even hit it at all!!

I have flattened out my swing plane because others have said it is way too steep, but now im hitting it real fat??

Thanks in advance!

[enduro]

Obviously without a video or anything it's all speculation.

Before you start getting too many thoughts about a flat swing in your head, make sure you aren't swaying. If you're swaying back in your backswing fat shots seem to happen a lot. Make absolutely sure you aren't swaying more than usual and preferably not at all in an ideal world.

If you have that out of the way, perhaps you're too flat now. Especially since you mention you're trying to get inside. Check your hips and make sure you aren't over-rotating them. I had an issue like this at one time. Really inside swing mainly due to my hips rotating too much relative to my shoulders creating little tension and creating weak shots. And the bad ones were fat. Sometimes very fat. But it could have also been because perhaps I was swaying some. With all that hip rotation I may have been swaying as well.

Really though a fat shot can be caused by a lot of things. Poor release, swaying, too much hips, not getting weight in front and many others. A lot of times it's all related though.

[inthecup]

I would not try to hit fades and draws at this point. Straight (or your natural flight) is fine. After you have lots of time absolutely confident in your swing then mess around.

If I am hitting it fat (or thin) I concentrate on keeping my heads motion to a minimum. It will eliminate lots of unwanted motion. You can't sway if your head it still. I also think keep my head down, again I get a cleaner strike.

Good Luck!

[kleraudio]

Thanks Enduro! Im pretty sure I sway, but thats acceptable with a 2 plane swing right?? Ive recently made some changes to get more of a one plane swing and I think the sway stayed with me....

I'll try not to sway but its really hard...

Any tips I can use to help me stay planted in my lower body??

[Motley01]

When I start hitting fat shots, I find out I'm not getting my front (left) leg straight at impact. When my left knee breaks down, I hit the ball fat every time.

Tiger's left knee is "locked" at impact.

[enduro]

Thanks Enduro! Im pretty sure I sway, but thats acceptable with a 2 plane swing right?? Ive recently made some changes to get more of a one plane swing and I think the sway stayed with me....

A drill I've used (and still will to reinforce things) is address the ball with both your feet together and take half swings. This creates a feeling in your shoulders and back similar to what you should be feeling. It should prevent swaying as well.

You want to feel tension in your back on the left side when you're coiled up.

[iacas]

Tiger's left knee is "locked" at impact.

No, it's not.

He's been getting away from that for a long time. He did it in the 1997 time frame to get a little extra distance, but he blames that move for his knee injuries and is moving well away from locking the knee at all, at any point in his swing (it's not even what I'd call "locked" in his follow-through position).

[JtotheD]

You absolutely positively have to be more athletic in your setup. If you adopt a more solid setup it will keep you from having to make compensations. GET YOUR BUTT OUT AND STRENGTHEN YOUR LEGS!!!

[golfbarefoot]

Check your posture and make sure the club handle is not moving around in your hands. People tend to hit heavy shots when they try to get more extension at the top and actually the club moves. I just recently saw an old video that said the exact same thing. If I find it, I'll let you know.

[jamo]

Make sure when you start your downswing you dont dip your head and bend your knees too much. If you have the lower body strength, this is acceptable, but you have to be able to return your head to it's setup position.
As for Tiger, he does dip his head, but his enormous strength and flexibility allow him to return his head. This is also a likely cause for his losing the ball right.
As for his knee, it might not be locked per say, but it is straight, and that is what you need.

In the end, if your first move of the downswing is to dip your head, you will hit the ball fat. Try making slow swings then gradually increasing your swing speed untill you find the best combination of power and accuracy.