Thin Shots in Golf - What They Are and How to Avoid Them

A talented financial leader with extensive experience as an executive vice president and a CFO, Paul Liska operates as a private investor. An avid golfer in his free time, Paul Liska particularly enjoys playing at The Country Club at Castle Pines, The Club at Wynstone, and Pinehurst.

In golf, a thin shot occurs when the head of the club meets the ball near its midpoint or higher. Where these types of shots will land is extremely difficult to predict. Thin shots also produce more vibration in a golfer’s hands, thus making them uncomfortable for the player.

Thin shots typically result from an issue or issues with a golfer’s swing. When swinging, golfers must keep their upper body even. Some players rise up at the moment of impact, which makes them hit the ball higher than usual. To address this, golfers should remain mindful of the position of their head throughout their swing. By ensuring the head maintains the same vertical distance from the ground through impact, golfers can avoid rising up during their swing.

Swaying during a swing can also cause thin shots. During a swing, golfers who sway move their hips away from the ball during their backswing and toward the ball during their downswing. By leaning the right knee in during the address, which occurs when the bottom of the club approaches the ground, golfers lock in their stance and keep the body from swaying.

Other issues that cause thin shots are positioning the ball poorly when setting up, having a narrow stance, and flipping the golf club. These problems are easily addressed by making sure the ball is neither too far back nor too far forward and by widening the stance. Meanwhile, golfers can avoid flipping the club by ensuring their pressure on the grip remains light and keeping the hinge in their wrists.