Ava Romero
In golf, a thin shot, also known as catching it thin, is when the clubface strikes the bottom half of the golf ball, below its equator. This results in the ball not travelling as high, and the shot not feeling as good. Thin shots are caused by errors related to the arc of the swing, specifically the position of its bottom. This can be caused by the golfer's torso and arms lifting up before impact, causing the bottom of the swing arc to rise. Other causes include the golfer swaying, or having a reverse pivot in their swing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Expression | Hitting a thin shot can be called "thinning it," or a golfer might say, "I thinned that one." Golfers also say "hitting it thin," "I caught the golf ball thin," or "that one was a little thin." |
| Definition | Instead of making crisp, correct contact (sweeping the ball with woods), the golfer's club made contact too high on the golf ball. |
| Other Names | Bladed shots, skulls, or skulled shots |
| Topped Shot | A ball that is first struck above its equator and particularly closer to the top of the ball. |
| Wormburner | A low screamer that spends most of its time very close to or on the ground. |
| Causes | Lifting up the torso and/or arms before impact, poor swing tempo, swaying the hips, reverse pivot, poor weight distribution, early release of the right hand, and a steep downswing. |
| Fixes | Adjust ball position, slow down the swing, keep the upper torso bent the same way throughout, focus on a straight left arm, and practice drills and wider-soled clubs. |
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What You'll Learn
What is a thin shot in golf?
In golf, a thin shot is when the clubface strikes the ball below its equator. This often results in the leading edge of the club making contact with the ball, instead of the sweet spot. Thin shots can also be called bladed shots, skulls, or skulled shots.
When a golfer hits a thin shot, the club tends not to come into contact with the ground. The ball flight is usually lower than intended, and the shot may struggle to get off the ground. There is also an uncomfortable stinging sensation in the hands.
Thin shots are typically caused by errors in the swing arc and the position of its bottom. This can be influenced by the way the spine behaves at impact, with the golfer lifting their torso and/or arms just before impact. Poor tempo is also a common cause, as rushing the swing can lead to missing low on the face of the club.
To fix thin shots, golfers can try adjusting their ball position, ensuring a full backswing, and focusing on keeping their upper torso bent throughout the swing. It is also important to distribute weight evenly between the two feet and to avoid sliding past the ball on the downswing, which can cause the club to slide under the ball and result in a thin shot.
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What causes thin shots?
A thin shot in golf is when the club hits the ball below its equator, resulting in a shot that doesn't travel as high and doesn't feel as good for the golfer. There are several factors that can cause a golfer to hit thin shots:
Weight Distribution
The way weight is distributed across the golfer's feet can impact whether they hit thin shots. Placing weight towards the back foot while setting up, rather than evenly distributing weight across both feet, can move the bottom of the swing arc back, leading to thin shots.
Spine Angle
Standing upright in golf is good for stability, but golfers can sometimes straighten their spine angle too much, causing them to hit thin shots. This is often combined with a golf ball placed too far forward in the stance, resulting in the golfer hitting the ball on their upswing.
Swing Errors
Swing errors can also cause thin shots. A golfer who sways will move their hips laterally during the swing, which can make hitting consistent shots more difficult. A golfer with a reverse pivot will transfer their weight in the opposite way during the swing, moving the bottom of the swing arc back and often resulting in a thin shot.
Poor Tempo
Rushing through the swing can cause golfers to hit thin shots. By slowing things down, especially during the transition, golfers can make it easier to hit the sweet spot.
Wrists
If a golfer is still struggling with thin shots after fixing their posture, weight shift, and width, the issue may lie with their wrists. An early release or unhinging of the wrists, known as casting, can cause thin shots, as can having the wrists too extended through the impact position.
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How to stop hitting thin shots?
Hitting a thin shot in golf means that, instead of making crisp, correct contact, the golfer's club strikes the ball below its equator. This results in a low-flying shot that doesn't feel satisfying and produces barely any divot. While the distance travelled by the ball can be similar to a good shot, it often rolls more than usual and may travel past the target.
To stop hitting thin shots, you can try the following:
- Check your setup, including adjustments to your stance and weight distribution.
- Distribute your weight evenly between your two feet, rather than placing it towards your back foot.
- Focus on keeping your upper torso bent the same way throughout the swing, instead of lifting your torso or arms before impact.
- Keep your head at the same vertical distance from the ground throughout the swing to prevent your upper body from rising.
- Slow down your swing tempo, especially during the transition, to give your body time to rotate correctly.
- Shift your weight to your left side and keep your chest over the ball, not behind it.
- If you're using your right hand to fire the club head too early in the downswing, hold on to your release until later to improve contact and power.
- Move the ball back a bit in your stance and focus on the ground right in front of the ball.
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How to fix a thin shot?
Thin shots in golf occur when the clubface strikes the ball below the equator or the sweet spot. This results in a low-flying ball that doesn't feel satisfying in the hands of the golfer. Thin shots are often caused by errors in the arc of the swing, specifically the position of its bottom.
- Check your setup: Adjustments in setup can lead to immediate improvements. Ensure that you are not leaning your shaft forward or back at address, as this can make it difficult to hit down on the ball.
- Control your tempo: Poor tempo is common among amateur golfers, who tend to rush their swings. By slowing down, especially during the transition, you can improve your chances of hitting the sweet spot.
- Shift your weight: Professional golfers shift their weight to their front leg early in the downswing, sometimes up to 85% of their weight. This weight shift helps control the club's arc and ensures that the body weight is forward at impact, leading to well-struck shots.
- Focus on the ground: When practising your swing, pay attention to the ground just in front of the ball. This will help you make more consistent shots.
- Keep your upper torso bent: Avoid lifting your torso or arms before impact, as this raises the bottom of the swing arc. Try to keep your head at the same vertical distance from the ground throughout the swing to prevent your upper body from rising.
- Avoid swaying: Instead of moving your hips laterally during the swing, focus on rotating your upper body above your hips. This will help keep the bottom of the arc in a consistent position and make it easier to hit consistent shots.
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What is better, a thin or fat shot?
In golf, a thin shot occurs when the clubhead strikes the ball above the equator, resulting in a low trajectory and a reduced distance compared to a ideally struck shot. This happens when the golfer's swing bottoms out before reaching the ball, leading to the clubhead impacting the ball with the leading edge or the lower groove section. Thin shots are often associated with a distinctive 'click' sound at impact and can be a common occurrence for golfers of all skill levels. While neither thin nor fat shots are desirable in golf, understanding their characteristics can help golfers improve their swing and minimize their occurrence.
Now, to answer the question, "What is better, a thin or fat shot?":
While both thin and fat shots are considered mishits in golf, a thin shot is generally preferable to a fat shot for several reasons. Firstly, a thin shot still results in the ball being struck by the clubface, allowing for some degree of control and predictability. In a fat shot, where the clubhead hits the ground before the ball, the impact with the turf can cause the clubface to twist or deviate from the intended path, leading to a much less predictable outcome. Thin shots also tend to travel further than fat shots because they are compressed, even if they fly lower than intended. Fat shots, on the other hand, often result in a severe loss of distance as the clubhead fails to make clean contact with the ball, leading to a significant reduction in ball speed and overall distance.
Another advantage of a thin shot is that it can sometimes still produce a reasonably acceptable outcome, especially for more skilled golfers. With a thin shot, the ball may still travel in the intended direction, allowing the golfer to salvage the hole or maintain a decent score. Advanced players with a higher swing speed may even be able to control and utilize a thin shot intentionally in certain situations, such as when they need to hit a low punch shot under tree branches or in windy conditions. In contrast, a fat shot often results in a complete mishit, with the ball barely moving or veering off in an unpredictable direction, leaving the golfer with little to no chance of recovery.
That being said, neither a thin nor a fat shot is desirable in an ideal golfing scenario. Both are signs of an inconsistent swing or poor technique, and golfers should strive to eliminate them as much as possible. However, if faced with the choice between the two, a thin shot generally offers more opportunities for recovery and can sometimes even be turned into an advantageous situation with the right skills and course conditions. Ultimately, the best approach is to focus on improving one's swing mechanics, achieving a consistent strike, and minimizing both thin and fat shots to achieve better scores and a more enjoyable golfing experience.
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Frequently asked questions
"Hitting thin" in golf refers to making contact with the ball too high, typically below its equator or on the very bottom half. This results in a low-flying shot that doesn't feel solid and may roll more than intended.
There are several reasons why golfers might "hit thin." Common causes include poor swing tempo, lifting the torso or arms too early, improper weight distribution, and a steep or flat swing plane.
To stop "hitting thin," focus on maintaining a consistent spine angle throughout the swing. Keep your upper torso bent and avoid lifting it prematurely. Improve your swing tempo, ensure proper weight distribution, and practice drills to correct your swing plane.
While "hitting thin" is generally undesirable, some skilled golfers intentionally "hit thin" in certain situations. The expression "thin to win" or "thin it to win it" suggests that, at times, a thin shot may still produce a favourable outcome.
