Trevor Ng
Hitting a stinger in golf is a difficult but impressive skill to master. Tiger Woods' famous stinger shot is a low-flying tee shot that he developed in the late '90s to give him an advantage in windy conditions. It involves a descending blow that alters the angle of the clubface at impact, requiring the player to stand closer to the ball and hit down on it. The stinger is a challenging shot to execute, as it requires a lot of practice and strength in the forearms to cut off the swing after impact. However, with dedication and the right technique, it is possible to achieve this impressive golf move.
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What You'll Learn
Stand closer to the ball than usual
To hit a stinger in golf, you need to stand a little closer to the ball than you usually would. This is a technique used by Tiger Woods, who has a famed stinger shot. By standing closer to the ball, you can achieve a through-swing where your chest stays more on top of the ball.
When you stand closer to the ball, you are able to cover the ball better, and this is key to achieving the right attack angle. You need to hit down on the ball, but not too much, as you don't want to put too much backspin on it. If you hit down too steeply, the ball can balloon if there is any breeze.
Standing closer to the ball also helps to minimize the ball's spin rate off the clubface, which results in more rollout once it hits the turf. This is achieved by "pulling" the club, so that the clubhead is behind your hands as you enter the impact zone. This takes practice but is essential to perfecting the stinger.
The stinger is a low-flying shot, which is useful in windy conditions when you need to keep the ball low to the ground. It is a powerful and visually impressive shot, and one that takes a lot of practice to master.
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Play the ball in the middle of your stance
To hit a stinger in golf, one of the key steps is to play the ball in the middle of your stance. This is in contrast to the traditional method of playing a low shot, where the ball is placed back in your stance. By playing the ball in the middle of your stance, you can minimize the ball's spin rate off the clubface and as it shoots down the fairway, resulting in more rollout once it hits the turf.
Playing the ball in the middle of your stance is especially important when it comes to hitting a stinger off the tee. To do this, you should shorten your backswing, tee the ball lower, and move it towards the middle of your stance. This is different from a recovery shot, where you would play the ball off your back foot and take a three-quarter swing.
When setting up to hit a stinger, it's important to position the ball in the middle of your stance with both shoulders as level as possible. This gets your spine over the ball, which is the body position you want to replicate at impact. By keeping your chest and mass over the ball through impact, you will feel like you are 'covering' the ball.
While playing the ball in the middle of your stance is a key aspect of hitting a stinger, it's important to note that ball position can vary depending on the club and the desired shot. For example, with long irons, you may position the ball slightly behind the middle of your stance, while with wedges, you might play the ball a little ahead of the middle. Ultimately, you should experiment with different ball positions to find what works best for you.
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Hit down on the ball, but not too much
Hitting down on the ball is a crucial aspect of executing a successful stinger shot in golf, but it's important not to overdo it. Here's a detailed guide to help you master this technique:
When attempting a stinger, it's essential to position yourself a little closer to the ball than you normally would. This slight adjustment allows you to better cover the ball, enabling a through-swing where your chest remains predominantly on top of the ball. This is a key distinction from a typical drive, where you would feel your weight shifting towards your back foot. Instead, the stinger shot demands that you maintain your weight centred, favouring your front side. This subtle weight distribution is pivotal in achieving the desired attack angle.
The next critical step is to play the ball farther back in your stance than usual. This adjustment serves a specific purpose: to deliberately reduce the loft of the ball's trajectory. It's a delicate balance, though, as Tiger Woods himself cautions against hitting down on the ball too excessively. Overdoing it can lead to an undesired outcome. If your downward hit is too steep, you'll inadvertently impart excessive backspin on the ball. This excess spin can cause the ball to balloon if you're facing a breeze, sabotaging your intended low-flying stinger shot.
To perfect this technique, it's advisable to follow the example set by Mr. Stinger himself, Zac Radford. Radford, a mini-tour pro, honed his stinger shot over many months of dedicated practice. He encourages golfers to start with a 5-iron, as the descending blow required for a stinger effectively transforms a 5-iron into a 4 or even a 3-iron at impact. With practice, you can gradually lower the launch by progressing to a 4-iron. This approach ensures you develop a feel for the stinger shot before attempting it with lower-numbered irons.
In conclusion, the key to mastering the stinger shot is to strike a delicate balance when hitting down on the ball. By adjusting your stance and weight distribution, you can achieve the desired trajectory. However, be mindful not to hit down too aggressively, as this can introduce unwanted backspin. With practice and patience, you'll be able to execute stingers with precision and style, just like Tiger Woods and Zac Radford.
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Use a 5-iron club
The stinger is a low-flying ball shot that was popularised by Tiger Woods in the late 1990s to early 2000s. It is a useful shot to have in your arsenal when you want to get the ball in play and avoid trouble, especially when playing on a tight fairway or in windy conditions.
To hit a stinger, it is recommended to use a long iron club, typically a 3, 4, or 5-iron. Using a 5-iron club is a good option for beginners as it is easier to handle than longer irons and can help you get comfortable with the stinger technique. Here are some tips for using a 5-iron club to hit a stinger:
Ball Positioning
Place the ball in the middle of your stance or slightly forward of the centre. This positioning will help minimise the ball's spin rate as it leaves the clubface, resulting in a faster rollout once it hits the turf.
Tee Height
When using a 5-iron, it is important to keep the tee height lower than a standard tee shot. An inch off the ground is recommended to make square contact with the ball and achieve the desired downward strike needed for a stinger.
Swing and Grip
Keep your arms relaxed and avoid tensing up during the swing. A loose grip and relaxed arms will help you achieve a faster swing speed and cleaner contact with the ball. Pull your hands slightly to the left during the mid-downswing to create a stronger descending blow, which is critical to the stinger shot.
Follow-Through
Follow through with the shot, but not too much. Slow your hands down as soon as possible after impact, and ensure your club does not go higher than your lead shoulder. This will help keep the clubhead straight through the impact, which is essential for a successful stinger.
With practice, you can master the stinger shot with a 5-iron club and add this versatile shot to your golfing repertoire.
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Practice, practice, practice
Practice makes perfect, and this is especially true when it comes to mastering the stinger in golf. This low-flying shot, made famous by Tiger Woods, is a challenging but effective technique that can give you a competitive advantage on windy days. Here are some tips to help you practice and perfect the stinger:
Start by understanding the fundamentals of the stinger technique. The stinger is a low-launch shot that requires a descending blow, altering the angle of the clubface at impact. Position the ball in the middle of your stance or slightly forward of center to minimize the ball's spin rate and achieve a straighter shot down the fairway.
Next, focus on your stance and body positioning. Stand a little closer to the ball than you normally would, which will allow you to better cover the ball and keep your chest more on top of it. Play the ball farther back in your stance than usual to reduce the loft of the trajectory. Maintain a centered weight distribution during your backswing, staying more on your front side to achieve the desired attack angle.
When hitting the stinger, remember to hit down on the ball, but not too much. A steep downward hit can cause too much backspin, resulting in a ballooning effect if there is any breeze. Practice finding the right balance between hitting down and maintaining a smooth, controlled swing.
One of the key challenges of mastering the stinger is learning to relax and avoid tensing up. Nerves or tension can hinder your ability to execute the shot effectively. Practice breathing techniques or visualization to help you stay calm and focused during your swing.
Finally, repetition is key. Head to the driving range and spend hours practicing the stinger, just like Zac Radford, who spent months perfecting his stinger technique. Focus on consistency and gradually work towards lowering the height of your shots. With enough practice, you'll develop a feel for the stinger, and it will become second nature.
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Frequently asked questions
A stinger is a low-flying tee shot that gives golfers an advantage on windy days.
To hit a stinger, stand closer to the ball and cut off the finish.
The ball should be played in the middle of the stance or an inch or two forward of the centre.
Most players grab the longest iron in their bag, but Radford, who has become Mr. Stinger, hits most of his stingers with a 5-iron.
The key to the stinger is to cut off the follow-through as quickly as possible.
