Description

The stinger is a low-flying, piercing golf shot that cuts through the wind and stays under branches or other obstacles. It’s a valuable shot to have in your arsenal, especially on windy days or firm course conditions.

Steps to Hit a Stinger

1. Select the Right Club

Use a long iron or hybrid, such as a 4-iron or 3-hybrid. These clubs help you control trajectory and distance.

2. Ball Position

Position the ball slightly back in your stance—about one ball width behind center toward your trailing foot. This helps promote a downward strike.

3. Steeper Downswing

Swing with a slightly steeper angle of attack than usual. This “traps” the ball against the turf, producing a lower launch angle.

4. Maintain Wrist Action

Avoid suppressing your wrist movement completely through impact. Keeping some wrist hinge helps retain power and control.

5. Controlled Follow-Through

Limit your follow-through to about shoulder height, making sure your club stays on your target line to maintain accuracy.

6. Practice and Adapt

Spend time practicing the stinger to dial in the right distance and trajectory for different situations—whether it’s punching under tree branches or escaping tricky lies.

Shot Setup Nuances

• Grip Pressure: Maintain a firm but relaxed grip to prevent tension that can disrupt your stroke.
• Stance Width: Use a slightly narrower stance than normal to promote stability and control during the steeper swing.
• Body Alignment: Keep your shoulders and hips aligned parallel to your target line to support accuracy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Swinging Too Hard: Trying to muscle the ball down can lead to loss of control and poor contact. Focus on smooth, controlled swings.
• Losing Balance: Because the follow-through is abbreviated, it’s easy to lose balance. Stay grounded with steady weight distribution.
• Too Far Back Ball Position: Placing the ball too far back can cause thin shots, while too far forward raises the trajectory.

Adjusting the Stinger for Conditions

• Wind Direction: Into the wind, keep the ball position slightly further back and emphasize a steeper downswing to keep the ball low. With the wind behind, you can open the stance slightly and allow a bit more follow-through for added roll.
• Uneven Lies: On uphill lies, move the ball slightly forward to avoid fat shots. On downhill or sidehill lies, adjust stance and weight distribution to maintain balance and control.

Practice Drills for the Stinger

• Target Practice: Choose a target 150–200 yards away and practice hitting low shots that roll out. Focus on trajectory control and consistency.
• Tee Drill: Tee the ball low and practice hitting stingers off the tee to build feel for the steeper swing and controlled follow-through.
• Balance Drill: Practice half swings with the abbreviated follow-through while holding your finish position to improve balance.

When NOT to Use the Stinger

• Avoid using the stinger when you need maximum height and carry distance, such as clearing water hazards or thick rough.
• It’s not ideal for delicate shots around the green where trajectory and spin control are paramount.
• When the ball lies in deep rough or on uneven terrain that makes a clean strike difficult, a more traditional shot may be safer.

Why Use the Stinger?

The stinger is perfect for windy conditions or firm fairways where a low, penetrating ball flight minimizes the effects of wind and maximizes roll. It’s also handy for shots that require you to keep the ball under obstacles or when you want to limit your ball’s height without sacrificing distance.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the stinger takes practice and feel, but it’s a powerful shot that can improve your versatility on the course. Experiment with different clubs, ball positions, and wind adjustments to find what works best for your swing and course conditions.

— Copyright Glen Bowen, © 2025