Want to Hit a Stinger Golf Shot? Just 3 Adjustments Make it Easy originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
It’s not always necessary to bust out the ol’ stinger golf shot — which produces a low-flighted ball with lots of topspin to help avoid uncontrollable factors like the wind — but knowing how to shape golf shots is a skill that can instantly help lower your scores.
While most stinger shots are associated with links-style courses, like those hosting the Open Championship, it’s also a type of shot that can be used as a fairway finder. That’s because it removes the risk of hitting a driver by clubbing down to a mid-iron (like a 5-iron), adding some accuracy insurance.
But how the heck does someone practice hitting a stinger golf shot? Thanks to golf content creator Dalton Joyce (AKA “Young Dalt”), you can learn the simple adjustments to develop the technique.
3 Adjustments to Help Hit a Golf Stinger Shot
While warming up on the driving range alongside the Rainmakers Golf crew, Joyce shared the three adjustments that he likes to make when practicing the stinger — and he actually uses a club with a smaller clubface to work on his ball-striking.
As he goes through his pre-shot routine, Joyce reveals his tips for hitting a golf stinger shot.
“First, know your ball flight — is it going to fade or is it going to draw?” he asks.
Once you identify the ball flight, Joyce says you’ve got to figure out your backswing and follow through length, ensuring you maintain good speed at the same time.
“You’re not swinging slower, you’re stopping your hands faster,” he adds. “I like to control the trajectory just based on where my hands are. So if I want to hit it high, I’m going to climb the ladder with my hands. If I want to hit it low, I’m going to feel as if the club’s below my shoulder plane.”
Finally, Joyce says that a big mistake most amateur players make is decelerating in the golf swing, which isn’t going to produce this low-running shot.
“You’ve got to punch it,” he instructs. “There’s no way to make crisp and consistent contact on a shot like this if we’re decelerating.”
So if you’re looking to master the golf stinger shot, start by using Dalton Joyce’s easy adjustments while practicing on the range. With some repetition and instant feedback from the smaller clubface, you’ll be smoking the low-runner in no time.
Related: Pro Golfer Emilio Gonzalez Shares the Do’s & Don’ts of a Perfect Pre-Shot Routine in Golf
Related: Of All the Chipping Tips, This is the Simplest One to Practice
Related: Cameron Young Shares 3 Types of Tee Shots to Better Maximize Your Driver
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Read the full article here
