How To Hit A Stinger Shot – Tiger Woods’ Popular Shot
A stinger is a type of shot in golf that is hit with a low, flying trajectory and is designed to travel a shorter distance than a full shot. Here is all you need to know about how to hit a stringer shot.
The stinger shot is one of the most interesting and popular shots that Tiger Woods invented in his game. His patented 2 iron stinger is one of the shots that has influenced golfers worldwide. However, the majestic stinger Tiger Woods unleashed during the 2018 Players Championship was a work of art.
Hitting a stinger is a great way to add more distance to your golf shot. To hit one successfully, you’ll need to ensure that your swing is long and smooth.
How to hit stinger shots?
To hit a stinger, follow these simple steps:
1) Proper setup
Setup plays an important role while hitting a stinger. First, begin by setting up the tee fully into the ground as placed for a normal iron shot.
2) Play the ball mid-forward
Move the ball position a little further back towards the center of the stance. This helps keep the body weight in balance such that you don’t move the weight to your forward foot, or you will hit it down too much.
3) Pull the club
The clubface must be behind your hands at impact to hit a stinger. To achieve this effect, pull the club through the swing and accelerate swiftly with your hips and hands for maximum power. The point of contact should push the golf ball forward rather than launch it up to generate added momentum.
4) Noodle arms
The stinger can feel unfamiliar at first, causing many players to tense up and hold the club too tight. This only decreases the power and increases blisters.
Instead of gripping tightly, pretend your arms are noodles instead; maintain a loose grip throughout the swing for better results. Furthermore, make sure you focus on making solid contact with the ball, as a stinger shot relies on a crisp, clean hit rather than brute force.
5) Swing left and low
As you initiate the left mid-downswing, draw your hands slightly to the left for a stronger descending action. Make sure that the clubhead is as straight as possible throughout impact, and then begin to slow your hands right after contact with the ball. The ideal follow-through would be at or below your lead shoulder, resulting in less rotation speed, which keeps the flight trajectory low.
However, To generate a successful low stinger, you must maintain a consistent swing tempo, steady body movement, and ensure the clubface is square at impact.
6) Practice consistently
Practice your stinger shot on the driving range to get a feel for the normal swing and learn how to control the distance and trajectory of the ball.
Overall, hitting a stinger requires a combination of precise ball-striking and shot-shaping skills. With some practice and patience, you can master this useful shot and add it to your arsenal on the course.
Who should play this shot?
The stinger shot is not for everyone or all for all situations. It cannot be pulled off as easily as it seems.
For instance, if you are a beginner or high-handicap golfer, you need to first groove your swing before trying out this advanced shot. Unless you consistently break 85, you are not recommended to try this shot.
What clubs to use while hitting stingers?
Most golfers try to hit stingers by using the longest iron, but, in fact, the angle of the clubface makes a lot of difference. Using a 5-iron is recommended as the descending blow required for a stinger changes the angle of the clubface at impact. Once you master hitting with 5 iron, you can move to 4 iron or 3 iron.
To execute a stinger, you can use your driver and potentially even a 3-fairway wood. Doing so ensures you have maximum control over your shot while allowing for an increased run on the fairway and green. Of course, you would be quite impressed if you attempted it with just a putter!
How is a stinger different from a punch shot?
A punch shot is played off the back of your stance and is meant to keep the ball lower. This is commonly used to avoid obstructions like trees.
But, in the case of a stinger, it is a full-swing lowball shot with lower ball flight and travels its full distance. This shot is used to find the center of the short stuff, not to avoid trees.
Conclusion
Stinger is a great shot to add power and accuracy to your golf game. With the right technique and a few simple steps, you can learn to hit this challenging golf shot with confidence.
Remember to keep your body balanced, use a strong grip, and keep the clubface square to the target. Make sure to generate power from your lower body and keep your arms and hands relaxed. Finally, focus on making a full, aggressive follow-through. With practice and patience, you can master the art of the stinger shot.
