Are you struggling with hitting the ground before the golf ball? You’re not alone. This is one of the most frustrating and common problems golfers face—especially for beginners and mid-handicappers. Whether you’re using irons or a driver, making contact with the turf before the ball can lead to inconsistent shots, loss of distance, and a huge dip in confidence. Many golfers complain, “I keep hitting the ground before the golf ball,” or wonder why their golf driver keeps hitting the ground before the ball.
This issue, often referred to as a “fat shot,” signals deeper problems with your golf swing mechanics, posture, or weight shift. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down: Why you’re hitting the ground first What it means for your swing How to fix it step-by-step Drills that work And mindset tips to help you stay consistent By the end, you’ll not only understand the causes of hitting the ground before the golf ball but also have a clear plan to correct it—whether you’re swinging your irons or your driver.
Hitting the Ground Before the Golf Ball: Causes, Fixes & Pro Tips
What Does It Mean to Hit the Ground Before the Golf Ball? Hitting the ground before the golf ball—often called a fat shot—is one of the most frustrating errors in golf. It happens when the club strikes the turf before making contact with the ball. Instead of a clean, crisp shot, the result is a chunked swing that robs you of both power and accuracy.
A proper shot should involve ball-first contact, especially with irons, where the club compresses the ball before taking a divot. However, when golfers hit the ground first, they lose distance, the ball may go off-target, or in some cases, it may not leave the ground at all.
Visual Tip
Include an image comparison showing a fat shot vs. clean contact—illustrating turf disruption before the ball vs. after.
This is a classic golf swing error that affects all skill levels, but especially beginners and high handicappers.
Why You Keep Hitting the Ground Before the Golf Ball
There are several reasons behind this common swing problem. Below is a bullet-style breakdown of the most frequent causes:
- Poor Posture and Stance
A hunched or overly upright stance can lead to inconsistent swing paths and cause the club to bottom out too early. - Ball Positioned Too Far Forward
Placing the ball too far toward your front foot shifts the low point of your swing too far forward—making ground contact likely. - Early Release of the Wrists (Casting)
Releasing the clubhead too early in the downswing causes the club to hit the ground before the ball, reducing compression. - Swing Path Too Steep or Too Shallow
A steep swing can dig into the ground, while an overly shallow swing might lead to topping the ball—but either can cause fat shots if mistimed. - Poor Weight Shift (Staying on Back Foot)
Not transferring your weight forward causes the low point of your swing to fall behind the ball, resulting in ground-first contact.
Pro Insight: According to golf coach Rick Smith, “The most common reason people say, ‘I keep hitting the ground before the golf ball,’ is a breakdown in weight transfer and early wrist release—both of which are fixable with targeted practice.”
Mastering the Mechanics: The Ideal Golf Swing Impact
Understanding Proper Swing Mechanics
To stop hitting the ground first, you need to understand what the ideal impact position looks like:
- With Irons: Hands should be slightly ahead of the ball at impact (forward shaft lean).
- Weight Shift: 70-80% of your weight should be on your lead foot at the moment of contact.
- Club Path: The club should travel slightly downward through the ball.
This descending strike ensures you hit the ball first, then the ground—not the other way around.
Visual Aid Tip: Consider using a diagram comparing good vs. bad swing path. You can also link to your internal blog post on “How to Build the Perfect Golf Swing.”
Driver vs. Irons: Why the Problem Looks Different
Hitting the Ground Before the Ball with the Driver
When using a driver, the ball should be teed up and struck on the upswing. If you’re hitting the ground before the ball with the driver, it usually means:
- You’re swinging down too steeply.
- Your ball position is too far back in your stance.
- You’re not shifting weight properly.
Irons Hitting the Ground Before the Ball
With irons, you want a downward strike—but many players:
- Overdo the angle of attack,
- Stand too far or too close to the ball,
- Or shift weight incorrectly.
Summary:
- Driver: Hit on the upswing – avoid steep angle.
- Irons: Hit ball first, then turf – descend into the ball.
Using the same swing for both clubs won’t work. That’s why golf swing adjustments by club type are crucial.
How to Fix Hitting the Ground Before the Golf Ball (Step-by-Step)
Let’s break down the most effective adjustments to fix this issue for good.
Check Your Ball Position
- With irons, the ball should be in the center or slightly forward of center.
- With the driver, it should be aligned with your front heel.
Why it works: Correct positioning promotes the right swing arc and angle of attack.
Correct Your Setup Posture
- Bend at the hips, not your back.
- Maintain a slight knee flex and athletic stance.
Why it works: Promotes balance and solid contact.
Improve Your Weight Transfer
- Initiate your downswing with your lower body.
- Finish with your weight on your lead foot.
Why it works: Encourages hitting through the ball, not behind it.
Master Proper Wrist Action
- Hold the wrist angle through impact (known as lag).
Why it works: Prevents early release and fat contact.
Don’t Overswing—Focus on Rhythm
- A smooth, controlled tempo helps you maintain balance and center the strike.
Why it works: Overswinging causes loss of control and leads to fat or thin shots.
Best Drills to Stop Hitting the Ground Before the Ball
These simple and effective drills can drastically improve your contact:
Line Drill
- Draw a line on the grass or mat.
- Place the ball just ahead of the line.
- Focus on hitting the ball and then the line.
Impact Bag Drill
- Hit an impact bag to feel correct hand positioning at contact.
- Encourages forward shaft lean and proper body rotation.
Step-Through Drill
- Start with feet together.
- Step into the swing with your lead foot to promote proper weight shift.
Tee Drill (for Driver)
- Tee the ball and try to sweep it off the tee without touching the ground.
Downhill Lie Drill
- Practice on a slight downhill slope.
- Forces proper weight shift and ball-first contact.
Tip: Add internal links to demonstration videos or other how-to drill blog posts.
Golf Equipment That Might Be Holding You Back
Sometimes, it’s not just your swing—your golf gear matters too.
- Club Fitting: Ensure your club length, lie angle, and shaft flex match your swing.
- Worn Grips: Old grips reduce feel and control.
- Forgiving Irons: Cavity-back irons provide more stability and better turf interaction.
- High-Launch Drivers: Helps you hit on the upswing and avoid turf contact.
(Optional affiliate opportunity: Link to a trusted golf gear site like Golf Galaxy or PGA Tour Superstore.)
Mindset & Practice Tips
Improving your swing isn’t just physical—it’s mental too.
- Avoid Overthinking: Focus on rhythm, not mechanics, when on the course.
- Use Visual Targets: Pick a spot a few feet in front of the ball to aim your swing path.
- Train with Short Irons: Builds confidence in clean ball-first contact.
- Warm-Up Routines: Establish tempo before your round to avoid early fat shots.
How to Hit a Golf Ball Straight? (Clear, Simple & Effective Guide)
Hitting a golf ball straight may seem like one of the biggest challenges in the game—but with the right fundamentals, it’s achievable for golfers at any level.
1. Start with the Proper Grip
Your grip controls the clubface. Make sure it’s neutral—not too strong (right hand turned too far under) or too weak (left hand turned too far over). A proper grip helps square the clubface at impact, which is key to straight shots.
2. Align Your Body Correctly
Your feet, hips, shoulders, and clubface should all point parallel to the target line. Misalignment is a top reason for slicing or hooking the ball. Use alignment sticks during practice for better results.
3. Ball Position Matters
- For irons, place the ball in the center of your stance.
- For driver, place it just inside your front heel.
This ensures you strike the ball at the right part of your swing arc, promoting straight flight.
4. Keep a Smooth, Balanced Swing
Avoid swinging too hard or jerky. Focus on a smooth tempo and complete follow-through. A well-balanced swing promotes center-face contact and directional control.
5.Control the Clubface
The ball’s direction is mostly determined by clubface angle at impact. Keep your wrists stable through the swing and avoid flipping them at contact.
6. Practice with Purpose
Use drills like:
- Gate Drill: Place two tees just wider than your clubhead to ensure straight contact.
- Alignment Stick Drill: Practice hitting shots along a visual target line.
These help train your body and eyes to hit the ball straighter.
Don’t miss knowing: Hit in the Head by a Golf Ball
Conclusion
Hitting the ground before the golf ball can derail your round—but it’s entirely fixable. By understanding the mechanics, correcting your setup, using targeted drills, and building the right mindset, you can transform your ball-striking.
With consistent practice and smart technique, you’ll stop hitting the ground before the golf ball and start striking it clean every time.
Try these tips, check your swing fundamentals, and don’t forget to subscribe or bookmark this guide for your next practice session.
FAQs: Hitting the Ground Before the Golf Ball
Why do I keep hitting the ground before the golf ball?
You might be releasing the club too early, shifting weight incorrectly, or having poor ball positioning in your stance.
How do I stop hitting the ground before the ball with a driver?
Focus on hitting the ball on the upswing, shifting your weight forward, and placing the ball off your front heel.
Is hitting the ground first a sign of an early release?
Yes. Releasing the wrists too soon in the downswing (casting) often causes ground-first contact.
Can hitting the ground before the ball cause injury?
Yes, consistently chunking shots can strain your wrists, elbows, or back over time.
What are the best drills to fix this swing fault?
Try the line drill, impact bag drill, and step-through drill to improve ball-first contact and reduce fat shots.