Hitting a piercing, low-flying stinger shot that cuts through the wind is one of the most satisfying feelings in golf, and it's a skill that will instantly make you a better, more versatile player. This powerful, controlled shot isn’t just for tour pros, it’s a tool that any dedicated golfer can learn and use to save strokes in tough conditions. This guide will give you a clear, step-by-step blueprint for adding the stinger to your game, from the proper setup all the way to that classic, abbreviated finish.
Think of the stinger as a laser beam. While a normal iron shot launches high into the air with a looping arc, the stinger is a low-trajectory, penetrating shot designed to fly under the wind and run out on the fairway. It’s characterized by a lower launch angle, a high rate of spin (which helps it hold its line in gusty conditions), and a much more controlled flight. Popularized by players like Tiger Woods, who used it as a "go-to" shot under pressure, the stinger is the ultimate weapon for control when precision matters more than maximum height and distance.
You might think this is an advanced shot only for low-handicappers, but the situations where a stinger comes in handy are common for golfers of all levels. Learning it isn't just about showing off, it's about practical, on-course problem-solving.
The magic of the stinger happens before you even start the swing. The setup is what pre-sets the club to hit the ball on a low trajectory. If you get this part right, you're 90% of the way there. Let's break down the essential components.
The stinger is typically played with long to mid-irons. The classic stinger club is a 2, 3, or 4-iron because their natural low loft makes it easier to produce a penetrating flight. However, you can absolutely hit a stinger with a 5, 6, or even 7-iron. The shot will launch slightly higher with more lofted clubs, but the principle remains the same. Avoid trying this with your short irons (8-PW) initially, as they are designed to get the ball in the air quickly, fighting the very effect you are trying to create. Some advanced players can even hit stingers with fairway woods, but start with the long irons first.
This is a foundational piece of the setup. For a standard iron shot, you might play the ball in the center or just forward of center in your stance. For a stinger, you need to move the ball back.
As a reference, move the ball about two to three inches back from the center of your stance, placing it more toward your trail foot (right foot for a right-handed player). This immediately helps de-loft the clubface at address, which is the primary ingredient for a lower launch.
Your stance for a stinger should feel solid and stable, almost like you're bracing against a strong wind. Take your normal iron stance, and then widen it by a couple of inches. This creates a stronger base and restricts your body's a tendency to get too "loopy."
Next, adjust your weight distribution. At address, you want a bit more pressure on your lead foot. Aim for a 60/40 split, with 60% of your weight on your front side. This weight-forward position promotes a descending blow on the ball and prevents you from swaying back, which would cause you to hit the ball high annd thin.
With the ball back in your stance, your hands will naturally be ahead of the ball. We want to exaggerate this feeling slightly. Deliberately press your hands forward toward the target until the handle of the club points at your lead hip. This is called a "forward press," and it drastically de-lofts the clubface and prepares you for compressing the ball at impact. From this position, you're now fully set up to hit that penetrating flight.
Forget trying to swing out of your shoes. The stinger swing is defined by control, connection, and compression. It's an abbreviated, more compact motion designed to keep everything working together. A full, sloppy swing will never produce a stinger.
Your backswing for the stinger will feel much shorter and more connected than your regular swing. Think of it as a three-quarter backswing. Because your hands are already pressed forward, the takeaway should feel very "one-piece," with your arms, hands, and chest all turning away from the ball together. Avoid lifting the club aggressively with your arms. The focus is on a wide, controlled body rotation that stops short of a full swing. This is not about generating power with a long backswing, it's about storing it in a compact, efficient motion.
Here is where you produce the magic. From the top of your compact backswing, the dominant feeling should be keeping your chest over the golf ball as you rotate through. Remember that 60% of your weight you put on your lead side at setup? That’s where your weight needs to stay and increase as you turn into the shot.
Most importantly, you must maintain the angles you created at address. Feel as though you are pulling the handle of the club down toward the ball, keeping your hands well ahead of the clubhead all the way to impact. This is what creates that crisp, compressed contact - hitting the ball first, then taking a small divot in front of where the ball was. You're effectively trapping the ball between the clubface and the turf.
A stinger is not defined by a big, flamboyant follow-through. It’s the opposite. The visual that has made the shot famous is the low, abbreviated finish. As you strike the ball and move through impact, feel like you're "holding off" the club's release. Don't let your wrists flip over and send the club high into the air.
The clubhead should stay low and exit left (for a righty) after impact, finishing around hip height or slightly above. Your arms will stay extended towards the target for as long as possible before folding. The final position should feel strong, balanced, and completely in control, body rotated to face the target, but with the arms and club finished low. Think of the iconic images of Tiger Woods holding that finish - that's the look you're after.
Reading about it is one thing, feeling it is another. Take these drills to the driving range to engrain the right sensations.
Hit shots with your 5 or 6-iron focusing solely on the finish. After you make contact, intentionally hold that low, abbreviated finish position for a count of three. This drill does two things: it trains your body to stop the swing where it needs to, and it a great check for balance. If you're falling over, your sequence is off.
This is a great drill for visualizing the low flight. Place a range basket, stick, or your headcover a few feet in front of you and about three feet off the ground. Your goal is to hit shots that fly underneath this object. This will force you to execute the proper setup (ball back, hands forward) and make a descending blow without even thinking about it.
As you're learning, you might run into a few common issues. Here’s what to look out for:
Mastering the stinger transforms you from someone who just hits the ball into a player who controls it. It’s a shot built on a deliberate setup - ball back, hands forward, stable base - and a compact, connected swing that feels more like a powerful punch than a full, looping swing. By bringing the fight down from the air and controlling the trajectory, you open up a new world of strategic options on the course.
We understand learning a new shot shape can feel unintuitive, and knowing exactly when to use it in the heat of the moment can be tricky. When faced with a 20 mph headwind or a lie under a tree, sometimes you need a quick second opinion on whether the stinger is really the right play. That's a situation where we designed Caddie AI to be your 'ask an expert' button. For those really tricky situations, you can even snap a photo of your lie, and I can give you shot recommendation right on the spot - helping you decide if a punch-out or a well-executed stinger is your best path forward to save the hole.
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