Golf swing is too steep - fixes for fat and thin contact

Introduction

The phrase golf swing is too steep fixes for fat and thin contact is the core problem most amateur golfers face when iron shots are inconsistent. A swing that comes down too vertically amplifies two frustrating outcomes: fat shots that hit turf before the ball, and thin shots that clip the upper half of the ball. Both cost distance and add strokes.

This article gives specific, measurable fixes you can use at the range and on the course. You will learn what “steep” means in numbers, how steepness produces fat and thin contact, drills that force the correct shallow-to-attack motion, and a 4-week practice plan with session checklists. Included are tools and pricing so you can pick the right tech for feedback, common mistakes to avoid, and a short FAQ.

Use this as a practical manual you can follow between lessons with a PGA professional and independent practice sessions.

Why You See Both Fat and Thin Shots From a Steep Swing

A “steep” downswing is one where the clubhead approaches the ball on a path that is significantly more vertical than the desired plane. On impact metrics this often shows up as a very negative angle of attack. For irons, a desirable angle of attack (AOA) is usually slightly negative, roughly -1 to -4 degrees depending on club.

A steep swing commonly exceeds -6 degrees AOA and can easily reach -8 to -12 degrees with over-the-top motion.

How Steepness Creates Fat Contact

A steep downswing concentrates low-point control behind the hands. If the low point of the swing occurs behind the ball, the sole compresses the turf before the ball, producing a fat shot.

Hanging back on the rear foot at impact
Over-rotating upper body and early releasing the wrist hinge (casting)
Vertical over-the-top outside-in swing path

How the Same Steepness Can Cause Thin Contact

Thin contact often comes from the club bottoming out before the ball or from the lead shoulder rising through impact. If a player reverses weight transfer or lifts their body toward the ball on the downswing, the club may strike the ball on an upward arc or catch the top of the ball. A steep path plus poor low-point shift can produce both outcomes depending on where the low point lands relative to the ball.

Symptoms to Measure and Watch

Divot placement: For iron shots, an ideal divot begins just after the ball and is 1 to 3 inches long. Divot starting behind the ball usually signals fat.
Ball-first vs turf-first: Use an impact tape or spray to see where the club contacts the ball relative to the face.
AOA numbers: TrackMan or FlightScope AOA readings more negative than -6 degrees suggest excessive steepness.
Ball compression and spin: Thin shots often show lower spin and higher flight than expected; fat shots show less ball speed and less carry.

Practical Fixes and Drills:

what to do, how, and when

Fix approach principle: shallow the arc and control low point. The two goals are to move the clubhead slightly more around the body on the downswing and to shift the low point forward toward the target by 1 to 3 inches for most full irons.

Drill 1 - Towel Behind the Ball (Turf Control)

How: Place a 6 inch towel 2 to 3 inches behind the golf ball. Make full swings and try to avoid hitting the towel. Strike the ball first, then the turf beyond.

Why: Forces you to strike the ball before the turf, training low-point forward shift.

Reps: 10-20 good strikes per club, 3 times per week.

Progress marker: After 2 weeks you should be able to hit 8 of 10 without contacting towel.

Drill 2 - Alignment Rod Plane Drill (Shallow Path)

How: Stick an alignment rod in the ground at about a 45 degree angle on the toe side of your target line, creating a visual plane. Swing under the rod on the downswing, feeling the clubhead come slightly around the body.

Why: Gives immediate visual feedback to stop the steep over-the-top move.

Reps: 50 short swings, 30 medium swings, 20 full swings in a session.

Drill 3 - Impact Bag or Soft Bag (Shallow Release)

How: Use an impact bag (Titleist Impact Bag $40-$120) or a soft duffel. Take slow half swings, stop at impact and feel the hands ahead of the clubhead, then accelerate into the bag.

Why: Trains forward shaft lean and prevents casting.

Reps: 5 sets of 10 half swings.

Drill 4 - Step-Under Drill for Weight Transfer

How: Start with feet shoulder-width. On the downswing, step your lead foot slightly toward the target and plant as you strike. This trains shifting weight and moving the low point forward.

Why: Prevents hanging back and encourages a shallower attack angle.

Reps: 20 reps focusing on impact position.

Drill 5 - L-to-L and Pause Drills for Wrist Control

How: Swing to finish in an L-shape on the backswing and down to a mirror L on the follow-through. Add a 1-second pause at waist height on the downswing to check sequencing.

Why: Encourages wrist retention and prevents early release that can cause fat or thin hits.

Reps: 3 sets of 10 with a 30-second rest between sets.

Implementation in a Lesson or Solo Practice

Week 1: Focus on towel drill and alignment rod for low-point and path correction. Spend 60 minutes twice in the week.
Week 2: Add impact bag and L-to-L drills. Record swings with a phone at 240 fps and compare.
Week 3: Introduce step-under drill and full shots. Use launch monitor session to check AOA and low point.
Week 4: Consolidate with mixed-club practice and on-course validation. Track percentage of clean strikes.

Measurements to Watch

Divot start: aim for 1-2 inches after ball
AOA: move AOA from very negative (below -6 deg) toward -1 to -4 deg
Ball speed recovery: recover losses of 5-15 mph you saw with fat shots
Consistency: reduce fat/thin occurrences to under 20% of full swings, ideally under 10%

Tools and Resources

Launch Monitors and Ball-Tracking Tech

TrackMan 4 session pricing: typically $60 to $150 per hour at fitting centers; units cost $15,000 to $30,000 for purchase.
FlightScope Mevo Plus: portable radar launch monitor, approximate retail $1,999; subscription optional.
SkyTrak: popular photometric launch monitor, retail around $1,995; Play & Improve plans add subscription fees.
Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor: mobile solution around $499; great for shot dispersion and video overlay.
Garmin Approach R10: affordable launch monitor around $699; good for practice and swing metrics.

Sensors and Video Apps

Blast Motion Golf sensor: swing sensor that attaches to the grip end, about $149; gives tempo and impact metrics.
K-Motion 3D sensors: 3D swing kinematics, pricing typically $999+ depending on package.
V1 Golf app and CoachNow: video analysis tools, V1 often packaged with lessons; CoachNow subscriptions generally $9-$20/month.

Accessories and Low-Cost Tools

Titleist Impact Bag: $40-$120 depending on model.
Alignment rods: $5-$15 each for basic models.
Divot boards or foam turf mats: $20-$60.

Lesson Pricing for Human Feedback

PGA professional private lessons: $50 to $200 per 30-60 minute session depending on facility and coach level.
Short series packages (3 to 5 lessons): often offer 10-25% savings versus single lessons.

Comparisons Snapshot

Best for detailed AOA and shot-shape: TrackMan
Best for budget accurate practice feedback: SkyTrak or FlightScope Mevo+
Best mobile video plus launch overlay: Rapsodo
Best for impact feel training: Impact bag + towel drill (low cost)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Overcorrecting by swinging too shallow

Fix: Make incremental changes. If you go too shallow you can start hitting thin shots by bottoming out before the ball. Use small adjustments and check AOA or divot patterns after each change.

Ignoring weight transfer

Fix: Use step-under and feet pressure drills. Record progress with a pressure mat like Swing Catalyst if available, or simply watch hips at impact in slow-motion video.

Practicing without measurable feedback

Fix: Use any of the affordable tools listed above or have a coach watch. Without feedback you may repeat bad habits.

Trying to fix everything at once

Fix: Focus on one primary change for two weeks. Example: Week 1 focus on low-point control (towel drill), Week 2 add shallow path work (rod drill).

Relying only on long shots

Fix: Practice with mid and short irons first to ingrain correct low-point behavior, then translate to long irons and hybrids. Shorter clubs are easier for feeling impact positions.

FAQ

How do I know if my swing is too steep?

Check your angle of attack with a launch monitor; values more negative than -6 degrees on irons suggest a steep swing. Visible signs include divots beginning behind the ball and a pattern of fat shots.

Will weight shift drills stop both fat and thin shots?

Yes. Proper weight transfer toward the target moves the low point forward and stabilizes impact position, reducing both turf-first fat shots and thin shots caused by lifting during impact.

How long before I see improvement?

With focused practice using the towel and alignment rod drills, golfers often see measurable improvement in 2 to 4 weeks. Expect consistent changes in low-point control after 4 to 8 practice sessions.

Can I fix steepness without a coach?

Yes, but feedback speeds progress. Affordable tools like SkyTrak, Rapsodo, or a simple smartphone slow-motion video plus an alignment rod can provide useful feedback. A 1-2 lessons with a PGA pro will accelerate the change.

Are there specific clubs more affected by steep swings?

Longer irons and hybrids show steep swing penalties more clearly because they require a more sweeping motion. Players often get fat shots with mid-irons and thin with long irons if sequencing is poor.

Next Steps

Baseline measurement: Record 20 full iron swings on video and note divot placement and feel. If possible, get AOA data from any launch monitor; log initial numbers.
Two-week drill focus: Use the towel drill and alignment rod drill in three 45-minute sessions per week. Track successes: target 8 of 10 clean strikes per session by the end of week two.
Add impact bag and step-under drills in week three while recording progress. If you have access to a coach, schedule a 45-minute lesson to confirm technique.
Validate on course in week four: play three 9-hole sessions focusing on irons into greens. Track fat/thin occurrences; aim for under 20% and trend toward under 10% by the end of the month.

Practice Session Checklist

Warm-up: 5 minutes of stretching and 10 short wedges to find rhythm.
Baseline swings: 10 easy half swings to feel the motion.
Main drills block: 30 minutes on towel + alignment rod, alternating sets.
Feedback step: Record 5 swings and review AOA or video.
Cool down: 10 shots concentrating on feel, not power.

Pricing Snapshot for Planning

Impact bag: $40 to $120
Alignment rods: $5 to $15 each
SkyTrak launch monitor: ~$1,995
FlightScope Mevo Plus: ~$1,999
Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor: ~$499
Garmin Approach R10: ~$699
Blast Motion sensor: ~$149
Private lesson with PGA pro: $50 to $200 per 30-60 minute session
TrackMan session at a fitting center: $60 to $150 per hour

Final Notes

Measure low-point and AOA, practice the specific drills listed, and follow the 4-week plan with progress checks. Combine inexpensive feel drills (towel, impact bag) with objective feedback (video or launch monitor) and one focused lesson to accelerate improvement. Immediately track divot patterns and AOA to ensure you are moving toward a slightly negative, controlled low point and away from vertical steepness that produces fat and thin shots.

Golf Swing is Too Steep Fixes for Fat and Thin Contact