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Avoid Fat and Thin ShotsStability & Balance During Rotation Irons Intermediate ⏱ 4 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

A Solid Right Foot in Golf: Jean-Marc Espelt

Do your approach shots to the green end up as fat shots or topped shots? Jean-Marc Espelt often sees amateurs let their lower body shift forward, causing their spine to end up behind the ball. His “right foot anchored” technique stabilizes the body and improves contact with the irons.

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Jean-Marc Espelt
Jean-Marc Espelt · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

7 minSame problemStop Hitting Your Irons Fat: Water in the Left EarChris Ryan · Intermediate8 minSame problemFat Shot from Tipping Back: Right Shoulder Toward the BallLewis Wallace · Intermediate8 minFrom the same proSenior Golf Swing: 3 Tips from Jean-Marc EspeltJean-Marc Espelt · Intermediate / Seniors

What the lesson shows

Jean-Marc Espelt notes that, when attacking the green with an iron, many players let the lower body go: the hips slide and the spine ends up behind the ball. The result: you dig in and scrape the ground, or you hit the top of the ball—and that's the best. His response: the "lead right foot" technique, which involves keeping your right foot on the ground longer.

This heavy stance limits hip movement and stabilizes the body during the swing. At impact, you need to be balancing on the front leg, without letting your body lean back to strike the iron, and feeling that you’re making contact with the ball earlier in the downswing. Second tip: The right shoulder moves toward the target, to stabilize the upper body and maintain contact. Keep your right heel on the ground, and let your upper body unfold, always staying relaxed.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Pick up an iron and set up for a shot at the green.
  2. As you come down, keep your right foot—and especially your right heel—on the ground longer.
  3. Notice that your hips aren't sliding as much toward the target.
  4. Upon landing, keep your balance on your front leg without leaning your upper body backward.
  5. Move your right shoulder toward the target as you rotate your upper body.
  6. Try to catch the ball earlier in the downward phase, with a relaxed motion.

Key Takeaways

Cause: The lower body slides, and the spine tilts behind the ball.
Keep your right foot on the ground longer, as if it were made of lead.
Less hip movement, more stability.
Upon landing, keep your weight on your front leg without leaning backward.
The right shoulder moves toward the target to stabilize the upper body.
Keep the movement relaxed.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Let your lower body move freely by sliding your hips.
  • Keep your spine behind the ball at impact.
  • Lean back to try to get the ball to rise off the iron face.
  • Lifting your right foot off the ground too early.
  • Tensing up instead of staying relaxed.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Iron balls by keeping your heel on the ground longer
  2. Front-view video analysis: stable column upon impact
  3. A few swings, focusing on bringing your right shoulder toward the target
  4. Finish while balancing on the front leg

Your Questions

What is the "lead right foot" technique?

It involves keeping your right foot on the ground longer during the downswing, as if it were heavy. Jean-Marc Espelt uses this technique to limit hip movement and stabilize his body on the irons.

Why do I make fat and thin shots with irons?

This is often because the lower body moves forward and the spine ends up behind the ball. As a result, you end up swinging at the ball too early, or you hit the top of the ball.

Where should your weight be at the moment of impact?

Balance on your front leg without letting your body lean backward. You should feel like you're catching the ball earlier in the downward phase.

What does the right shoulder do in this technique?

She moves toward the target. According to Jean-Marc Espelt, this stabilizes the upper body and, therefore, the contact.

Learn More

All “Avoiding Fat and Thin Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Stability & Balance During Rotation” →Find the lesson that's right for you Gripping Down When Chipping, by Van de VeldeShortening the grip brings you closer to the ball and makes your swing more vertical: the clubhead leaves the ground sooner and strikes the ball in the center, without a fat shot or a top. Fat Shot from Tipping Back: Right Shoulder Toward the BallThe “gratte aux fers” comes from tilting the upper body backward: the sternum in front of the ball (“right shoulder toward the ball”), controlled by a stick. Stop Hitting Your Irons Fat: Water in the Left EarTrust your loft, keep your upper body above your lower body, and feel the water run down your left ear for as long as possible. Jean-Marc EspeltAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jean-Marc Espelt). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

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