How to perfect your stinger shot in golf
The stinger shot is a type of golf shot that is played with a low trajectory and a lot of roll. It's a great shot to have in your arsenal, especially in windy or firm conditions. To play the stinger shot, you'll need to make some adjustments to your setup, swing, and follow-through.
To start, you'll need to adjust your ball position and weight distribution. Play the ball slightly back of centre in your stance, about 1-2 inches inside your left shoulder for right-handed golfers.
Distribute your weight slightly more towards your back foot, with about 60% of your weight on your back foot and 40% on your front foot.
Next, align the clubface slightly closed, aiming directly at the target or slightly left of it for right-handed golfers. This will help you achieve a lower trajectory and reduce spin.
Now, let's talk about the swing. Use a slightly more shallow swing plane than normal, with the clubhead approaching the ball on a more horizontal plane.
Attack the ball with a slightly negative angle of attack, which means the clubhead is approaching the ball from a slightly higher position than the ball.
Make contact with the ball with a slightly firmer grip pressure than normal, using a more glancing blow to reduce spin and create a lower trajectory. Keep your follow-through shorter and more controlled than normal, avoiding any excessive rotation or lift.
As you release the clubhead, allow it to rotate naturally without any forced or abrupt movements. This will help you maintain control and consistency.
The Stinger shot can be played with different clubs, including long irons, hybrids, and fairway woods. Experiment with different clubs to find the one that works best for you.
Also, be sure to adjust for wind and slope, taking into account any conditions that may affect the shot.
Finally, remember that the Stinger shot requires practice and patience to master. Start with shorter shots and gradually increase the distance as you become more comfortable with the technique.
With time and practice, you'll be able to add this valuable shot to your golfing game. Catch you on the fairways!
-Sewgolum is PGA AA golf professional and a golf pro for Saudi Aramco. He was voted in the Top 5 of the International Golf PGA Pro 2022.
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