How to hit Tiger Woods’ stinger that dominated Royal Liverpool

Most amateurs need to tee their driver excessive and let it fly. However in the course of the 2006 Open Championship, Tiger Woods took another method: a high-powered, low-flying long-iron “stinger.” The consequence? A second-straight Open Championship and third general.

Woods has lengthy been recognized for taking part in chess whereas the remainder of the sector performed checkers. Utilizing this stinger shot at Royal Liverpool and different Open venues allowed him to search out the best approach to get forward of the competitors, utilizing a wrinkle most golfers overlook.

There’s only one downside: It’s not a straightforward shot for many rec gamers to drag off. It requires lightning-quick clubhead pace and a contact of artistry. Fortunately, Tiger’s former coach and GOLF Top 100 Teacher, Sean Foley, is right here to assist.

1. Setup

A whole lot of what makes a stinger work occurs at setup. Preserve every thing just about as regular, however play the ball barely again in your stance—not a ton, extra like a single ball width from the place you usually place the ball with the iron you’re utilizing. (Trace: Taking part in the ball a bit again is the Tour participant’s secret for controlling ballflight on all photographs.)

2. Takeaway

Set extra stress in your entrance leg. This encourages your entrance shoulder to shift barely ahead as you begin again, transferring the low level of your swing forward of the ball. Hint as huge a swing arc as you possibly can, rotating as a lot as you’ll when hitting driver. The massive mistake is getting too slender; if you happen to don’t keep width, it’s you who’ll get stung.

3. Transition

A great feeling to have is getting your arms as far-off out of your head as doable as you swing to the highest. As soon as there, keep away from “cupping” your lead wrist as a lot as doable. Let your path wrist lengthen and get your lead wrist to bow, like DJ or Jon Rahm. This helps de-loft the membership, fueling a decrease launch and stable compression.

4. End

As Tiger has so completely acknowledged, “If you wish to hit it excessive, then end excessive. If you wish to hit it low, then end low.” Preserve your swing arc huge going via the ball, such as you did on the backswing. This stops the membership — and your ballflight — from getting too excessive. And, although you don’t need to impede any motion, decelerate your arms instantly after impression. That’s the sting.

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor