Todd Anderson tutorial: Striking a stinger

In this tutorial, Todd Anderson shares his insights and three key tips on how to hit a low stinger which is particularly effective in navigating windy conditions which are often prevalent in links-styled golf courses.

In this tutorial, GA Tour Performance Center Director of Instruction Todd Anderson shares his insights and three key tips on how to hit a low stinger which is particularly effective in navigating windy conditions which are often prevalent in links-styled golf courses.

The PGA Tour visits the Genesis Scottish Open at Renaissance Club in North Berwick and The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in July, where both events will see players utilising this type of golf shot.

Introduction

The stinger is a golf shot that many PGA Tour players use in situations, such as when you’re playing into the wind or on very firm fairways.

It's typically a shot that doesn't go very high in the air, and flies in a relatively short distance compared to their regular swing with the same club. However, when the ball hits the ground, it is often the ball ‘runs’ on the fairways.

Set-up

Photo 1. Todd Anderson instructional photos were taken at The Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. [PGA TOUR]

Generally, the stinger is a shot players feel they can control well because they're using their lead wrist to manage the amount of loft they deliver on the club head and can stabilize the club face through impact.

With a normal iron golf shot, the shaft leans only slightly forward while keeping the left wrist flat, weight on the left foot and the chest over their left leg.

When you play the stinger, you should exaggerate that impact position (Photo 1). Adjust your left wrist into a more forward position and create a little bit of a bow with the wrist (Photo 2) while keeping the club face squared at impact. This will get the ball to launch out low and come out hot with a lot of run to it.

Photo 2. Todd Anderson instructional photos were taken at The Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. [PGA TOUR]

As easy as 1-2-3 When the average player, attempts to hit the ball low, they tend to move the ball too far back in their stance, pull the angle between the left arm and the club head forward causing the ball to go to the right. Hence, there are three things to remember when hitting the stinger.

Photo 3. Todd Anderson instructional photos were taken at The Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. [PGA TOUR]

Number one, you want to lean the shaft more forward and get your left wrist both slightly forward too (Photo 3). Number two, get your chest more up and over your front leg at impact. (Photo 4) And number three, you want to keep your trail shoulder high so it stays on top of the ball and you can squeeze the club into the ground while keeping the ball low. Stay more on top of the ball and chase that club down and through impact.

Give the stinger a try at the driving range and use this shot when you need to hit it low against the wind or chase it down the fairway. It's a very effective shot when you pull it off.

Photo 4. Todd Anderson instructional photos were taken at The Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. [PGA TOUR]

Anderson is the Director of Instruction at the PGA Tour Performance Center at TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship. The 2010 National PGA Teacher of the Year has seen his students amass more than 50 victories across the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, including two FedExCup titles. He is currently rated by Golf Digest as one of the top 20 golf instructors in the United States.

BY TODD ANDERSON [kjdsports@joongang.co.kr]