The Hidden Reason You Still Hit Fat and Thin Shots

PGA instructor Rob Cheney explains why focusing solely on low point location is incomplete, introducing the vertical height component of swing arc alongside horizontal location. He demonstrates how regulating lead shoulder movement—down in the backswing, forward in transition, and up through impact—eliminates fat and thin strikes. He also showcases how using the Strike Wedge training aid behind or ahead of the ball reinforces proper ground contact for pitch shots and full irons.

• Ground contact point is determined by both low point location (forward/back) and vertical depth (height off the ground).
• Move your lead shoulder down in the backswing to maintain a centered and stable pivot.
• Shift your lead shoulder slightly forward in transition to move the low point ahead of the ball.
• Pull your lead shoulder upward through impact to shallow out attack angle and prevent digging deep divots.
• Place a training wedge behind the ball to encourage hit-down contact, or in front of the ball to train shoulder lift and shallowing.

Go deeper

• Strike Wedge Low Point Drill — Every coach who teaches it
• Fat contact — Causes, drills and coaches for this miss
• Attack angle — The lesson, across every coach
• Rob Cheney Golf — Every video, sorted by what it teaches