Shot Errors

Slice – How to Fix Slices

A slice is a ball flight trajectory that sees the ball starting left of the target initially and spinning aggressively to the right. Slicing the ball is considered a golf shot error because the ball will miss the intended target, coming to rest to its right.

Fundamentally, slices are caused by an outside-in club path and a clubface that is closed to the target at impact but open to the club path. The fact that the clubface is not square to the path is what gives it lateral spin, in this case left-to-right, or clockwise.

Slicing a shot generally comes as a result of an open stance combined with an outside-in swing and a grip strength that is too weak.

How to Stop Slicing

Hook – How to Fix Hooks

A hook is a ball flight trajectory that sees the ball starting right of the target initially and spinning aggressively to the left. Hooking the ball is considered a golf shot error because the ball will miss the intended target, coming to rest to its left.

Fundamentally, hooks are caused by an inside-out club path and a clubface that is open to the target at impact but closed to the club path. The fact that the clubface is not square to the path is what gives it lateral spin, in this case right-to-left, or counterclockwise.

Hooking a shot generally comes as a result of a closed stance combined with an inside-out swing path and a grip strength that is too strong.

How to Stop Hooking

Push – How to Fix Pushes

A push is a ball flight trajectory that sees the ball starting right of the target initially and continuing on that path in a straight line. Pushing the ball is considered a golf shot error because although the ball does not spin sideways it will still miss the intended target, coming to rest to the right.

Fundamentally, pushes are caused by an inside-out club path and a clubface that is open to the target at impact but square to the club path. The fact that the clubface is square to the path explains why the ball does not spin sideways.

Pushing a shot can come as a result of being aligned right of the target or it can occur through a combination of an inside-out swing and a weak grip.

How to Stop Pushing the Ball

Pull – How to Fix Pulls

A pull is a ball flight trajectory that sees the ball starting left of the target initially and continuing on that path in a straight line. Pulling the ball is considered a golf shot error because although the ball does not spin sideways it will still miss the intended target, coming to rest to the left.

Fundamentally, pulls are caused by an outside-in club path and a clubface that is closed to the target at impact but square to the club path. The fact that the clubface is square to the path explains why the ball does not spin sideways.

Pulling a shot can come as a result of being aligned left of the target or it can occur through a combination of an outside-in swing and a strong grip.

How to Stop Pulling the Ball

Fat – How to Fix Fat Shots

A fat shot occurs when the clubhead penetrates the ground before it strikes the ball and/or when it digs too deep into the ground. Hitting it fat is considered a golf shot error because the ball will not travel as far as it normally should have and as a result will land short of the intended target.

Fundamentally, fat shots are caused by a bottom of the swing arc that is located too soon in the swing – ahead of the ball – and/or located too low. Address and setup position errors, as well as golf swing errors can lead to fat shots.

How to Stop Hitting the Ball Fat

Thin – How to Fix Thin Shots

A thin shot occurs when the ball is struck below its equator by the leading edge of the clubhead rather than by the sweet spot area of the clubface. Hitting it thin is considered a golf shot error because the ball will travel much lower than it normally should have given the club that was used to strike it and as a result will see a higher unpredictably in the distance travelled.

Fundamentally, thin shots are caused by a bottom of the swing arc that is located too soon in the swing – ahead of the ball – and/or located too high from the ground. Address and setup position errors, as well as golf swing errors can lead to thin shots.

How to Stop Hitting the Ball Thin

Top – How to Fix Topped Shots

A topped shot occurs when the ball is struck above its equator by the leading edge of the clubhead rather than the sweet spot area of the clubface. Topping the ball is considered a golf shot error because the ball will not travel nearly as far as it normally should have otherwise.

Fundamentally, topped shots are caused by a bottom of the swing arc that is located too high from the ground and/or a bottom of the swing arc that occurs too soon ahead of the ball or too late after the ball. Address and setup position errors, as well as golf swing errors can lead to topped shots.

How to Stop Topping the Ball

Sky – How to Fix Skied Shots

A skied shot occurs when the ball is struck by the top edge – or crown – of the clubhead rather than the sweet spot region of the clubface. Skying the ball is considered a golf shot error because the ball will shoot straight up into the air, with little forward movement applied to the ball. As a result, the ball will land well short of its intended target.

Fundamentally, skied shots are caused by a bottom of the swing arc that is located too low in relation to the ball. Ball lie conditions and failure to adjust to them can lead to skied shots, as well as golf swing errors.

How to Stop Skying the Ball

Whiff – Whiffing the Ball

A whiffed shot occurs when the clubhead fails to make contact with the ball despite an effort to do so through a golf swing. Whiffing the ball is considered a golf shot error because while the ball will remain in its position the golfer will still need to record the attempt as a stroke, in accordance to the rules of golf.

Fundamentally, whiffs are caused by a bottom of the swing arc that is located too high in relation to the ball. Golf swing errors as well as ball lie conditions can lead to whiffed shots.

How to Stop Whiffing the Ball

Overclub – Overclubbing a Shot

An overclubbed shot occurs when the ball comes to rest well past the target, generally as a result of a misguided club selection. Overclubbing a shot is considered a golf shot error because the selection of another club would have produced a shot that would have ended closer to the target, all other things being equal.

Fundamentally, overclubbed shots are caused by judgement errors that fail to factor in the environment at play and the lie of the ball. Otherwise, the tendency to hit the ball thin can also produce shots that travel well past the target.

How to Stop Overclubbing Shots

Underclub – Underclubbing a Shot

An underclubbed shot occurs when the ball lands and stops short of the target, generally as a result of a misguided club selection. Underclubbing a shot is considered a golf shot error because the ball will not reach the intended target, coming to rest well in front.

Fundamentally, underclubbed shots are caused by judgement errors that fail to factor in the environment at play and the lie of the ball. Otherwise, the tendency to hit the ball fat can also produce shots that travel short of the target.

How to Stop Underclubbing Shots

High Drives – How to Fix Driving the Ball Too High

A high drive occurs when the ball flies too high into the sky with your driver. In contrast to the ball flight of a perfect drive, a high drive will not produce the longest total shot distance. Instead, the ball will land softly with little to no roll and will be greatly impacted by either crosswind or headwind while in the air.

A drive that is too high can be caused by setup and swing issues, or by the driver itself. It is possible that the tee is positioned too high off the ground or that the ball is too far forward in your stance. The loft of your driver could be too high or its shaft could be too flexible. Finally, your spine angle could be angled back too much or you may be flicking your wrists at impact.

How to Stop Hitting Drives that Fly Too High

Low Drives – How to Fix Driving the Ball Too Low

A low drive occurs when the ball flies too low to the ground with your driver. In contrast to the ball flight of a perfect drive, a low drive will roll a greater distance upon landing but the total distance will come up short, due to its reduced carry distance. If the ball lands into the rough – short of the fairway – the longer grass will severely limit the shot’s distance.

A drive that flies too low can be caused by setup and swing problems, as well as by the driver itself. The tee could be planted too low into the ground and/or the ball could be positioned too far back, towards the middle of your stance. The loft of your driver could be insufficient or the shaft too stiff for your swing speed. Finally, your spine angle might not be positioned with a small angle back.

How to Stop Hitting Drives that Fly Too Low