Why am I hitting it fat or thin intermittently?

Understanding Fat and Thin Shots in Golf

Fat and thin shots are common mishits that plague golfers of all levels, often occurring intermittently due to subtle inconsistencies in setup, swing path, or impact dynamics. A fat shot happens when the clubhead strikes the turf behind the ball, resulting in poor contact and a shot that falls well short of the target. Conversely, a thin shot occurs when the club strikes the ball too high on its face, producing a low-trajectory ball with reduced distance. These issues alternate because your swing's low point—the spot where the club reaches its lowest position during the downswing—is shifting unpredictably.

Primary Causes of Intermittent Fat and Thin Shots

Intermittent occurrences point to inconsistent fundamentals rather than a single flaw. Here are the most common culprits:

• Inconsistent Weight Shift and Balance: Starting with uneven weight distribution (not 50-50 between feet) or failing to shift dynamically during the swing causes the low point to move. Hanging back on the trail foot leads to fat shots; swaying forward prematurely causes thins.
• Poor Low Point Control: The club's lowest point should be after the ball for irons (descending blow). If it's before the ball, you hit fat; if at or after inconsistently, you thin it.
• Hands Not Ahead at Impact: Releasing the wrists too early (early hit or casting) flips the hands behind the clubhead, steepening the angle and digging (fat) or skulling (thin).
• Arm-Dominated or Scooping Swing: Trying to lift the ball instead of compressing it shifts the low point erratically, especially under fatigue when turning and stretching falter.
• Setup and Ball Position Errors: Ball too far back (fat risk) or forward (thin risk), or inconsistent posture/tension exacerbates these in varying lies.

How to Diagnose Your Specific Issue

Track patterns during practice to pinpoint causes:

1. Video Your Swing: Record from down-the-line and face-on views. Check if hands lead the clubhead at impact and if the divot starts after the ball's position.
2. Alignment Stick Drill: Place a stick in the ground just beyond the ball. Fat shots hit it early; thins miss it entirely.
3. Lie and Surface Test: Note if issues worsen in rough (fat tendency) or tight lies (thin risk), indicating angle of attack problems.
4. Fatigue Check: These mishits often increase late in rounds—monitor if consistency drops when tired.

Actionable Drills and Fixes

Focus on drills that promote forward shaft lean, low point control, and compression. Practice these 10-15 minutes per session.

Core Drills

• Feet-Together Drill: Hit half-swings with feet close together to develop an arm-dominated feel, emphasizing balance and hands-ahead position. Builds consistency without sway.
• Impact Bag Drill: Swing into an impact bag feeling forward shaft lean and compression—hands ahead of the clubhead. This grooves solid contact.
• Low Point Focus: Tee a ball and place a second one an inch behind. Hit the front ball first, then turf. Reinforces "ball then turf" sequencing.
• Descending Blow Practice: Feel like you're hitting down and through the ball. Start with wedges, exaggerating the divot after the ball.

Swing Adjustments

• Set up with 50-50 weight distribution.
• Maintain a consistent clubface through impact for reliable striking.
• For pressure situations, prioritize repeatable mechanics like a controlled fade path (swinging along body line with slightly open face) to stabilize low point.

Equipment and Additional Checks

Ensure your clubs match your swing. Irons with insufficient bounce can dig more (fat risk) on firm turf, while worn grooves reduce spin control. Consider a professional fitting if issues persist across clubs. Maintain clean grooves and check lie angles—upright lies promote fats on level ground.

Key Takeaway

Intermittent fat and thin shots stem from an unstable low point, often due to weight shift flaws, early wrist release, or poor compression sequencing. Prioritize hands-ahead impact, 50-50 setup balance, and targeted drills like feet-together and impact bag work to ingrain consistency. With deliberate practice, you'll achieve solid contact more reliably, lowering scores across all lies. Commit to these fundamentals for lasting improvement.