Avoid Fat and Thin ShotsIrons: Compress the Ball Irons Intermediate ⏱ 8 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Fat Shot from Tipping Back: Right Shoulder Toward the Ball

Name: Fat Shot from Tipping Back: Right Shoulder Toward the Ball
Uploaded: 2023-03-26T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 7 min 42 s
Channel: Lewis Wallace
Description: Are you digging your irons into the ground even though your swing looks fine? Lewis Wallace points out that your upper body tends to lean backward on the downswing. His correction comes down to a simple feeling—“right shoulder toward the ball”—and a stick exercise you can do in your living room.

Are you digging your irons into the ground even though your swing looks fine? Lewis Wallace points out that your upper body tends to lean backward on the downswing. His correction comes down to a simple feeling—“right shoulder toward the ball”—and a stick exercise you can do in your living room.

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Lewis Wallace · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

Schedule · Step 3 of 7Hit Your Irons Pure in 7 StepsValid when: On 10 shots, the divot (or mark) begins after the ball.

Step 4 →

To be continued

4 minSame problemThin Shots and Early Extension: The Chair DrillPaul Lambersens · Intermediate 7 minSame problemStop Hitting Your Irons Fat: Water in the Left EarChris Ryan · Intermediate 14 minFrom the same proCombo Iron Set: Custom-Made Head, Shaft, and GripLewis Wallace · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

When the upper body tilts backward in the downswing, the the sternum ends up behind the ball and the right shoulder points toward the right foot. The clubhead then hits the ground too early—as much as 5 to 7 cm before the ball. Lewis Wallace cites a study conducted with the same player, the same club, and the same swing speed: hitting the ground 2 cm before the ball costs 10 m, 5 cm costs about 30 m, and 7 cm costs up to 40 m.

With irons, on the other hand, the clubhead should make contact with the ball as late as possible. The feel you're looking for: push your sternum forward toward the ball, toward the target, and hit the ball with your right shoulder. In reality, the shoulder will lag slightly behind, and that’s normal. Placing a baguette on your shoulders provides immediate feedback, and after that, just thinking about it is enough while you’re on the course.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Place an alignment rod across your shoulders, with most of it extending beyond your right shoulder.
Get into your stance facing the ball and take your backswing all the way back.
Start by leaning back on purpose as you swing down: the clubhead points well behind the ball.
Try again by moving your sternum forward in front of the ball: the wand should point toward the ball or just behind it.
Practice the movement at home, then about ten times at the driving range without a ball.
Hit the balls with the sole intention of “right shoulder to the ball.”.

Key Takeaways

If your upper body leans backward, it will hit the ground before the ball does.

A few centimeters of ground before the ball can cost dozens of meters.

When swinging with irons, the clubhead should make contact with the ball as late as possible.

Feeling: sternum in front of the ball, right shoulder about to hit the ball.

The sensation is exaggerated: the shoulder will remain slightly behind.

Just one simple thing to keep in mind on the course: “Right shoulder toward the ball.”.

Mistakes to Avoid

Keep your sternum behind the ball at impact.
The right shoulder points toward the right foot during the downswing.
Try to correct your fat shots by applying several technical ideas at once.
Apply this tip to your driver: the video focuses on irons.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Wand on the shoulders, starting without a ball
An exaggerated backward swing, followed by one toward the ball
Ten repetitions before hitting balls
On the course: the same feeling during practice swings

Your Questions

Where should the wand be placed on the shoulders?

Not in the center: most of it should extend beyond the rear shoulder—the right shoulder for a right-hander. Its tip then indicates where the upper body is working during the downswing.

Does my right shoulder really have to be in front of the ball at impact?

No. Lewis Wallace points out that it’s a feeling: for many players, the shoulder will remain slightly behind the ball, and that’s fine. You need to feel the extreme to correct a backward tilt.

Does this guideline also apply to the driver?

The video focuses solely on irons. The driver, which is played differently, is the subject of another video.

What should you keep in mind on the course?

A single idea, repeated during pre-shot routines and trial runs: “right shoulder toward the ball.” Lewis Wallace deliberately avoids piling up mechanical thoughts.

Learn More

All “Avoiding Fat and Thin Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Irons - Compressing the Ball” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Thin Shots and Early Extension: The Chair DrillA thin shot comes from the pelvis moving early toward the ball; to keep your spine angle: a chair against your backside, and Woods' low downswing. The Arm-Shoulder Triangle in Golf: Bringing It Back at ImpactMaintain the arm-shoulder triangle from address and bring the clubhead toward the inside of your front thigh at impact, first on a half-swing and then on a full swing. Hands in front of the clubhead at impact to compress the ballCompression comes from dynamic loft, not a steeper angle of attack: grip end toward the hip crease, timing, hands forward, left wrist bowed. Lewis WallaceAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Lewis Wallace). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.