Jackson Reid
Whiffing is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a golfer, and it can happen to both beginners and professionals. While it is rare for a professional golfer to whiff, it has happened a few times. For instance, in the third round of the 1983 British Open, Hall of Famer Hale Irwin whiffed a tap-in putt. In another instance, Ho-sung Choi, who was 12 under for the tournament at the time, whiffed during the final group of the Korean Professional Golf Tour's Busan Gyeongnam Open. Additionally, there are reports of Patrick Reed and Lee Westwood whiffing in deep rough and Rory whiffing at the 2015 Players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How common is whiffing in golf? | Whiffing is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a golfer. It is more common among beginners but can also happen to experienced golfers and professionals, albeit rarely. |
| What is a whiff? | A whiff is when a golfer tries to hit the ball but misses it completely. |
| Does a whiff count as a stroke? | If the golfer intended to hit the ball, the whiff counts as a stroke. If the golfer intentionally missed the ball, it does not count as a stroke. |
| How does a whiff typically happen for professionals? | There are two typical scenarios for professionals: on a short wedge shot around a green when the ball is on thick rough, and on putts when the golfer misses a tap-in due to agitation or a lack of attention. |
| Examples of professionals who have whiffed | Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Lee Trevino, Patrick Reed, Kevin Na, Hale Irwin, and Ho-sung Choi. |
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What You'll Learn
Whiffing on a short wedge shot
Whiffing a golf shot can be embarrassing, and it can be challenging for golfers to keep their temper and frustration in check. While it is rare, even professional golfers have been known to whiff a shot. It is exceedingly rare for pros to whiff on a full swing but can happen on short wedge shots or putts.
When faced with a short wedge shot, a golfer may whiff if they misjudge how high the ball is sitting off the ground, especially if it is on very thick or fluffy rough. In this case, the wedge can slide under the ball without making contact. To avoid this, golfers should use a club with bounce, such as a lob wedge, sand wedge, or gap wedge, which has a rounded bottom that does not dig into the ground. Additionally, golfers should ensure that the clubface is square and the club shaft is pointing towards their body center, not leaning too far forward.
Another way to avoid whiffing on a short wedge shot is to practice the scrape drill. From your setup position, instead of taking a backswing, practice scraping the grass with your club in a semi-circle to hip-level finish. This helps reinforce the proper motion needed to get the ball into the air.
While whiffing on a short wedge shot can be embarrassing, it is important to remember that it happens even to the best of golfers. By practicing good habits and drills and focusing on controlling your power, golfers can improve their short game and lower their scores.
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Whiffing on a putt
Whiffing is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a golfer, and it can happen to both beginners and experienced golfers. It is particularly embarrassing for professionals, as it is a very rare occurrence. While it almost never happens on a full swing, pros have been known to whiff on putts.
A whiff occurs when a golfer tries to hit the golf ball but misses it entirely. In the case of a putt, it often happens when a golfer is agitated after missing a putt they thought they should have made. The ball is sitting right next to the cup, and they hurriedly try to knock it in, but they end up missing. This is what happened to Hale Irwin, who whiffed a tap-in putt in the third round of the 1983 British Open. This mistake cost him a place in the playoff, as he finished the tournament just one stroke out.
Another example of a pro golfer whiffing on a putt is Lee Trevino, who casually attempted to tap in an extremely short putt but missed, incurring a penalty stroke. While it is rare, there are a few instances of pro golfers whiffing on full swings as well. For example, Patrick Reed allegedly whiffed in some deep rough and played it off as a practice swing, and Lee Westwood hit a tree on his downswing and whiffed.
To avoid whiffing, golfers should focus on maintaining a proper and balanced posture, with a centred setup to stay balanced throughout the swing. Practising holding the finish until the ball lands can also help improve balance and reduce the chances of whiffing. Additionally, golfers should check their grip and ensure their clubface is relatively square to avoid an open face, which can lead to a slice.
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Whiffing on a tee shot
Whiffing is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a golfer. It is when a golfer tries to hit a shot and completely misses the ball. While it is more common for beginners to whiff, even experienced golfers and professionals can whiff on occasion.
Another instance of a pro golfer whiffing on a tee shot occurred when a female golfer's foot slipped on a very slippery tee box, causing her to miss the ball entirely. While this happened during non-tournament play, it demonstrates the challenges that even top-level golfers can face when it comes to avoiding a whiff.
To avoid whiffing on a tee shot, it is important to maintain proper posture and balance throughout the swing. A centred setup can help golfers stay balanced, and practising holding the finish until the ball lands can improve stability. Additionally, it is crucial to feel comfortable with the clubhead making contact with the ground, as this is necessary for launching the ball and making solid contact.
While whiffing on a tee shot can be embarrassing, it is important to remember that even professionals have been known to miss shots on rare occasions. Golfers should laugh it off, learn from their mistakes, and focus on improving their technique to minimise the chances of whiffing in the future.
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Whiffing on a fairway shot
Whiffing is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a golfer. It occurs when a golfer swings at the golf ball and misses it. While it is common among beginners, it is exceedingly rare among professionals, especially on full swings.
Additionally, swing errors can contribute to the likelihood of whiffing. Standing up at impact, or lifting the upper body during the downswing, raises the bottom of the swing arc, making it challenging to connect with the ball.
Placing the ball too far away from the body when using fairway woods can also lead to whiffing. By positioning the ball too far forward in the stance, the chances of topping the ball increase. Therefore, it is essential to pay close attention to the ball's position before taking the swing.
Whiffing can also be attributed to a lack of commitment to the shot. When a golfer doesn't fully commit, they may stand straighter during the swing, causing them to completely miss the ball.
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Whiffing during a tournament
Whiffing is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a golfer. It is when a golfer tries to hit a shot and completely misses the ball. While beginners are more likely to whiff, even experienced golfers can whiff on occasion.
Another instance of whiffing during a tournament occurred when Lee Westwood hit a tree on his downswing and whiffed at The Players tournament a few years ago. Additionally, Rory whiffed at the 2015 Players, and Patrick Reed allegedly whiffed in some deep rough, playing it off as a practice swing.
The most famous example of a pro golfer whiffing during a tournament is when Hall of Famer Hale Irwin whiffed a tap-in putt in the third round of the 1983 British Open. This mistake cost him a place in the playoff, as he finished the tournament just one stroke out of it.
While it is embarrassing, whiffing is not a penalty in golf. If a golfer intentionally misses the ball, it is not counted as a stroke. However, if they are trying to hit the ball and miss, it counts as a stroke.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, even pros have been known to whiff, although it is exceedingly rare. Some famous examples include Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Lee Trevino, and Patrick Reed. The most famous example is probably when Hall of Famer Hale Irwin whiffed a tap-in putt in the third round of the 1983 British Open.
A whiff is when a golfer tries to hit a shot and completely misses the ball. It is considered one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a golfer.
It depends on the intent. If the golfer was trying to hit the ball, then it counts as a stroke. However, if the golfer intentionally missed the ball, then it is not a stroke.
