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Most hobbyists want to lift their driver high and let it fly. But during the 2006 Open Championship, Tiger Woods took an alternative approach: a high-powered, low-flying iron “stinger.” Results? Second Open Championship in a row and third overall.
Woods has long been known for playing chess while the rest of the court played checkers. Using this biting shot at Royal Liverpool and other open spaces allowed him to find the most efficient way to get ahead of the competition, using the crease most golfers overlook.
There’s just one problem: it’s not an easy shot for most rec players. It requires super fast lightning speed and a touch of dexterity. Fortunately, former Tiger coach and GOLF Top 100 mentor, Sean Foley, is here to help.
1. Setup
A lot going on that makes the sting work when setting up. Keep everything as normal, but play the ball a little backwards in your position – not a ton, like one ball-width from where you normally put the ball with your iron. (Hint: Playing the ball slightly backwards is the round player’s secret to controlling the ball’s ball on all shots.)
2. Takeaway
Put more pressure on your front leg. This encourages your front shoulder to move slightly forward as you start back, moving the low point of your swing in front of the ball. Trace as wide a swing arc as possible, rotating as often as you would when hitting the driver. The big mistake is being too narrow; If you don’t keep up the show, you’re going to get stung.
3. Moving on
It feels good to keep your hands as far away from your head as possible as you swing upward. Once there, avoid “cupping” your main wrist as much as possible. Let your wrist extend and let your lead wrist bend, like DJ or Jon Rahm. This helps remove batter from the loft, resulting in less firing and more powerful compression.
4. Quit
As Tiger said so perfectly, “If you want to hit it high, you have to finish it high. If you want to hit it low, you have to finish it low.” Make your swing arc wide across the ball, as you did on your backswing. This prevents the club — and your ball’s flight — from getting too high. And although you don’t want to impede any movement, slow your arms down immediately after impact. This is sting.