The Low Point: The King of Ball Striking

The golf club swings up, down, and then back up again. At the very bottom of this arc lies a crucial moment: the low point. If you want to become a more consistent ball striker, you must learn where your golf club reaches its low point - and how to control it.

Among the most telling statistics that separate players by skill level is where that low point occurs relative to the golf ball. Consider the following data:

• 25 handicap: 0.5 inches in front of the ball.
• 15 handicap: 1 inch in front.
• 5 handicap: 2 inches in front.
• Tour pro: 4 inches in front.

The message is clear: the farther ahead of the ball the club reaches low point, the better the player. Low point is king when striking from the turf.

So why do even good players hit behind the ball (fat shots)? Here are a few key causes:

Common Causes of Fat Shot

• Swing Width: The wider the swing arc, the more difficult it becomes to strike ahead of the ball. A wide swing is not inherently bad, but it must be managed.
• Early Release (Casting): Most golfers get too wide too soon because they release the club early, meaning the clubhead and lead arm form a straight line too early in the downswing. This “casting” motion eliminates lag and often moves the low point backward. High-level players maintain wrist hinge longer (lag), narrowing the arc until just before impact.
• Poor Weight Transfer: Failure to shift weight onto the lead side - especially keeping weight back on the trail foot - is almost a guaranteed fat shot. In my experience, it’s one of the most common flaws among amateurs.

Over my teaching career, I’d estimate that 90% of students release the club too early. I spend a large portion of my day coaching around this flaw. Here’s the hard truth: If a player didn’t learn lag early in their golf development, it is extremely difficult to learn later. But difficult does not mean impossible.

If you’re a player with an early release, you can still improve dramatically. The key is to first understand your pattern and then use drills that work with it—not against it. Here are a few adjustments to help move the low point forward:

Drills and Adjustments to Move Low Point Forward

• Set up with more weight on your lead side.
• Turn - don’t sway - on the backswing.
• Shorten the backswing.
• Set the wrists earlier in the takeaway.
• Begin the forward swing early in transition (this may feel uncomfortable but is necessary).

All of these are aimed at moving the bottom of your swing forward. If, however, your low point is too far ahead - if you’re topping the ball - that’s a different conversation. We’ll tackle that next time.

A Final Note on Lag

Many golfers misunderstand lag. It’s not just keeping the wrists cocked longer - it’s a sequence. Lag is the byproduct of correct motion, not a motion you impose late in the swing.

True lag begins from the ground up. The sequence flows from:

Ground pressure → legs → pelvis → torso → arms → hands → club

Trying to hold wrist angle longer while hanging back on the trail leg is a recipe for failure. If you’re serious about creating lag, it will require a complete swing overhaul. There’s no shortcut, but it can be done with time, patience, and the help of a skilled coach.