Irons · Tip
Hit Fairway Woods Off the Ground
Part of our irons programs for topped or thin, fat or chunked, shanks. Build a program with it
Fairway woods off the turf scare a lot of golfers. They top it or chunk it. The key is to sweep, not dig. Play the ball a couple of inches inside your lead heel. Make a full shoulder turn. Then swing like you're just brushing the grass under the ball. Don't try to help it up with your hands. Finish balanced, chest facing the target.
Step by step
- Ball a couple of inches inside your lead heel.
- Make a full shoulder turn.
- Brush the grass under the ball.
- Don't scoop with your hands.
- Finish balanced.
Why it works
A fairway wood has a long shaft and a shallow sole, so it works best when the club bottoms out at or just after the ball on a shallow path. Playing the ball a couple of inches inside your lead heel puts the low point of the swing near the ball. A full shoulder turn lets the club arrive on a wide arc without you steepening it. Brushing the grass lets the loft launch the ball, so you don't need to lift it.
Common mistakes
- You hit down hard on the ball like a short iron and take a deep, fat strike.Picture the club skimming the grass, and make a shallow, sweeping swing instead of a steep one.
- You flick your hands at impact to lift the ball, which tops it or hits it fat.Keep your hands quiet and let the loft of the club get the ball in the air.
- You cut the shoulder turn short and swing mostly with your arms.Turn your chest fully away from the target on the backswing, then turn through to a finish with your chest facing the target.
How you'll know it's working
- You see a thin brush mark in the grass at or just past where the ball was, not a deep divot.
- The ball starts low to mid height and on your target line, with no big thin or fat misses.
- You finish balanced with your chest facing the target and can hold the pose for a couple of seconds.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice from a good lie on short grass, or place the ball on a small tuft, and make half-speed swings first.
Harder: Hit from a slightly tighter lie or a light slope, and try to land each shot on a chosen target at full speed.
Common questions
Where should the ball be for a fairway wood off the ground?
Play it a couple of inches inside your lead heel. This is a bit farther back than a driver, so the club can reach the low point of the swing near the ball.
Why do I keep hitting fairway woods fat?
Usually your swing is too steep, or you try to scoop the ball up with your hands. Make a full turn, keep your hands quiet and brush the grass under the ball.
