MY GOLF BLUEPRINT

Fat shots: checks and practice

An iron clubhead beside a golf ball on short grass. — Photo: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels

A fat shot meets the ground before the ball, often losing speed and carry. Mats may hide the error by allowing the club to bounce into the ball.

Possible causes

Low point behind the ball
Variable balance or posture
Ball position that does not fit the delivery

Simple checks

Mark the ball line safely.
Check where turf contact begins.
Compare short shots before considering a full-swing adjustment.

A practice drill

Make ten waist-high swings and record the first ground-contact point. Keep the speed comfortable and repeat the same setup.

Avoid this trap

Do not simply hit harder or chop more steeply. A bigger divot starting behind the ball is still ground-first contact.

The checks narrow the possibilities; they do not confirm a diagnosis. Keep a record of several shots and ask a qualified coach to connect the pattern to your swing.

Keep learning

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