Poor golf shots can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to hit the ball in a specific direction. Knowing the correct terminology for poor golf shots is important for any golfer, whether novice or expert. Let’s explore some of the most common terms used to describe poor golf shots and learn how to avoid them. Learn What is a Poor Golf Shot Called?
What is a Poor Golf Shot Called?
Hook/Slice
A hook and a slice are two types of poor golf shots that refer to when the ball does not go where you expect it to go. A hook occurs when your shot curves from left to right (for a right-handed golfer) while a slice is when your shot curves from right to left. Both hooks and slices are caused by incorrect clubface alignment at impact, which can be difficult to diagnose and fix without proper instruction.
Skull/Shank
A skull and a shank are two more types of poor golf shots that occur as a result of incorrect clubface alignment at impact. A skull occurs when you hit the top of the ball with your driver, resulting in a low trajectory and extreme distance loss. A shank occurs when you hit the ball too far back, resulting in an extremely low trajectory with significant distance loss as well.
Fat/Thin
Fat and thin are two more common terms used to describe poor golf shots, though they don’t necessarily indicate any major swing flaws like hooks or slices do. When you hit the ground behind the ball with your iron shot, that’s considered “fat” because it results in less spin on the shot and often leads to shorter distances than expected. Conversely, hitting the ground before the ball with an iron shot is considered “thin” because it results in more spin on the shot than desired, sometimes leading to longer distances than intended.
Conclusion
Poor golf shots can put a damper on anyone’s game day but understanding these terms can help you identify what went wrong during each shot so that you can make adjustments accordingly. If you’re struggling with your accuracy or consistency off the tee box or with irons, consider taking lessons from an experienced instructor who can pinpoint exactly what you need to work on in order to take your game up another level.