Hitting a shot thin usually feels like a mistake. If it happens by accident, it is. But if you do it on purpose, with the right technique and in the right situation, it can be one of the most helpful shots in golf.
When you hit a thin shot on purpose, the ball comes out low and fast, then checks and rolls out in a way you can predict. It’s easier to pull off than a high flop because you don’t need to be as exact. You’ve got more room for error so even if you catch it a little heavy or thin, you’ll still get a decent result.
Why this shot works
Trying to hit a high, soft wedge shot means you need to make perfect contact. The club has to slide under the ball with just the right speed and bounce. If you miss by even a hair, you’ll chunk it or blade it.
With a thin shot on purpose, you’re going for a different kind of contact. Instead of sliding the club under the ball, you make clean contact at or near the middle of the ball with the club’s leading edge. This sends the ball out lower with enough spin to control it. Not the most spin but enough to make it check after a bounce or two.
The best part is how forgiving this shot is. You don’t have to be perfect since you’re not trying to thread the needle between fat and thin. If you hit it a little heavy, the ball still moves forward and stays on a decent line. If you catch it right in the middle, you get the low runner you’re looking for. This shot doesn’t need the delicate touch that a high flop does. You’ve got a much bigger margin for error.
When to use it
This shot is best from tight lies where there isn’t much grass under the ball. Think hardpan, tight fairways or those worn spots near the green. In these situations, a normal pitch shot is risky because the club can’t slide under the ball easily.
This shot also works great when you have plenty of green between you and the pin. For example, if the pin is well onto the green and you have 40 feet of space, a low runner is often a smarter choice than a high shot. Let the ball roll and use the green to your advantage.
This shot is perfect when you’re feeling nervous or under pressure. If your hands are shaky and you’re not feeling confident, a simple bump-and-run is way easier than trying a delicate flop. You’re asking your body to do something straightforward, not something fancy.
The technical execution
Set up with the ball in the middle of your stance or a little behind. Put more weight on your front foot, maybe 60 percent or so. Keep your hands just ahead of the ball but not by much. You’re not trying to deloft the club; you’re just getting ready for a clean hit.
The swing is simple. Take the club back low and not too far. Keep your wrists pretty quiet. On the way down, try to brush the grass or catch the ball just as the club is moving up a touch. Don’t hit down hard. Just sweep the ball.
The main thing is to focus on making clean contact. Don’t try to lift the ball or scoop it. Just make a smooth, steady swing through the ball and trust that hitting it thin will give you what you want. The ball will come out low, bounce, and then stop.
What smart strategy looks like
Good wedge play is about picking the shot that works most often, not the one that looks the coolest. High, soft shots can be useful but low, controlled shots usually give you better odds, especially from tight lies or when you have room on the green.
The best way to get better is to practice different kinds of contact and see what each one does. On the range, try hitting the ball on different spots on the clubface. Notice how a thin shot reacts compared to a solid one. Build up a toolbox of shots so you have options when you need them.
A good strategy is to trust simple shots. When you have a tough lie or feel nervous, the shot that needs less precision usually works best. Don’t overthink your swing. Picture the shot, commit to it and swing with confidence.
How to practice it
Start by chipping with a pitching wedge or 9-iron from tight lies. Try to hit the ball cleanly, right in the middle. Watch how it comes out low and rolls out. Get used to that feel and ball flight.
Next, try your sand wedge or lob wedge. The same swing will give you a different result because these clubs have more loft. The ball still comes out low but it stops faster because of the extra spin. Learn how each club reacts so you can pick the right one for each shot.
Practice from all kinds of lies: tight fairway, hardpan, fringe. Watch how the ball reacts on each surface. Build up a mental library of shots so you’ll know what to expect on the course.
The simple truth
Golf lessons usually focus on perfect technique and perfect contact. But real golf is played in less than ideal conditions with less than perfect swings. The intentional thin shot accepts that reality. It turns a common mistake into a useful tool. Once you learn to hit it thin on purpose and see how much easier it is than trying to hit a high flop, and once you start saving shots from tight lies that used to scare you, you’ll wonder why no one showed you this before. The shot was always there. You just needed to know you could use it.
The post How To Hit Wedge Shots Slightly Thin On Purpose (And Why) appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
