What Are Sweeps in Golf?

A topped fairway wood that scuttles 30 yards or a chunked long iron that travels farther down than forward - we’ve all been there. It’s one of the most frustrating feelings in golf, but often, the solution isn’t to swing harder. It’s to change how the club meets the ball altogether. Shifting your thought from hitting the ball to sweeping it can be a game-changer for your consistency and confidence. This article will show you exactly what a sweeping motion is, when you should use it, and provide simple, actionable steps to add it to your game.

What is a “Sweeping” Golf Shot?

At its core, sweeping the golf ball is about creating a very shallow angle of attack. Imagine you’re trying to sweep dust off a putting green with a broom. You wouldn’t chop down at it, you’d brush the bristles along the surface to 'sweep' the dust away. A sweeping golf swing works on the same principle.

Instead of hitting steeply down on the golf ball and taking a deep divot (like chopping wood with an axe), a sweeping motion clips the ball crisply off the turf with minimal ground interaction. The clubhead travels low to the ground for an extended period through the impact zone, catching the ball at or very near the bottom of its swing arc. You are letting the loft designed into the club do the work of getting the ball airborne, not a forceful downward strike. By "sweeping" it, you dramatically improve your chances of making clean, center-face contact, especially with a fairway wood, hybrid, or long iron.

Are You a “Sweeper” or a “Digger”?

Every golfer has a natural tendency in their swing, which generally places them into one of two categories: sweepers or diggers. Understanding which one you are is the first step toward improving your ball striking.

• Diggers (Steep Angle of Attack): These golfers hit down on the ball more aggressively. Their divots are often deep, pronounced rectangles that start at, or just after, the ball's position. This can be great for compressing the ball with short irons and creating a lot of backspin. However, the downside for many amateurs is inconsistency. A slight miscalculation leads to hitting the ground first (a "fat" or "chunked" shot), and overcompensating for that mistake often leads to hitting the ball thin or topping it. For common fixes to this and other issues, see our guide on how to correct a slice in golf.
• Sweepers (Shallow Angle of Attack): These golfers have a wider, more rounded swing arc. Their divots are very shallow - sometimes they just bruise the grass or take a faint "bacon strip" sliver of turf after the ball. For many players, especially those who struggle with consistency, a sweeping motion is far more forgiving. It reduces the chance of both cripplingly fat and bladed shots.

It's important to note that neither style is inherently "better" than the other - it’s a spectrum. Top tour pros can be either, but they all learn how to control their angle of attack. For most club golfers, developing a solid sweeping motion is a massive advantage in the long game.

When to Sweep It: The Perfect Scenarios

While you might hit down on a pitching wedge from 100 yards, there are many situations where a sweeping motion is not just advantageous, it’s practically required for a successful shot.

• Driving the Ball: A sweep is essential with an iron, but it is your number one priority for a driver. To maximize distance, you have to hit the ball on the upswing. This is the definition of a sweep - your downward strike is not necessary at all, let the club ascend into the back of it. Learn more about how to hit a driver effectively.
• Fairway Woods and Hybrids Off the Deck: These are the classic "sweeping clubs." Both are designed with flat sections that allow the club to do the work. A steep approach is a common mistake that often leads to a shot with a fat or thin divot. Hitting these clean is about them gliding over the surface. For more detailed tips, check out our guide on how to hit hybrid golf clubs.
• Long Irons (4, 5, and 6-irons): For a lot of golfers, the long irons are the toughest clubs in the bag. Why? Because the lack of loft doesn’t forgive a steep, digging swing. Learning to sweep your long irons, much like you would a hybrid, will get the ball launching properly and make them feel way easier to hit.
• Tight or Firm Lies: Ever find your ball on a thin/patchy bit of fairway or hardpan ground? This is a sweeper’s zone. Trying to dig the ball out of a tight lie almost guarantees it gets stuck in the ground. You have to “pick it clean” by sweeping it off the tight surface.
• Fairway Bunker Shots: In a fairway bunker, the goal is "ball first" contact. There's no room for error. A sweeping motion is the only way to pick the ball cleanly off the top of the sand to get maximum distance so you're next to the green rather than hitting a similar shot twice from the same hazard.

An Easy Game You Can Take From The Range To The Course

• Ball Then Turf: Practice by taking a divot only after the ball (for irons/shots from grass). The easiest way to visualize this is through a simple drill: Place an object (like a towel or scorecard) on the ground just in front of the spot your ball is - this indicates you took a good divot (as your club traveled through). Place your coin on a tee - your goal is about three inches past where your ball rests, hitting your mark on your line indicates that you've released the club and not flipped it, instead using your hips to power through the zone (getting a much crispier result, along with the correct loft launching your ball into the air).

How to Sweep the Golf Ball: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to try it? The sweeping motion is born from a few small but important adjustments in your setup and swing thoughts. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Get the Set-Up Right

A good sweep starts before you even move the club. Your setup is the foundation. Understanding your golf ball address is key.

• Move the Ball Forward: This is the most significant change. For a sweeping motion, you need to catch the ball at the absolute bottom of your swing arc, or slightly on the upswing. To do this, play the ball more forward in your stance than you typically would for an iron shot. This adjustment repositions the low point of what would have an adverse effect on its trajectory by allowing it to come through its ideal zone without you needing to consciously attempt that.
• Widen Your Stance: Take a slightly wider stance than usual. Picture a linebacker - they need a wide, stable base. A wider stance not only provides balance but also naturally shallows out your swing plane, promoting that side-to-side, rotational movement we’re looking for.
• Tilt Your Spine: As you address the ball, create a slight tilt in your upper body, so your spine is angled away from the target. For a right-handed golfer, this means your right shoulder will sit noticeably lower than your left. This setup presets your body to swing on a more shallow, inside-out path.

Step 2: Master the Takeaway and Backswing

Now, let’s get the club moving correctly.

• Feel "Low and Wide": As you begin your backswing, don't immediately "pick" the club up with your hands. Instead, feel like you are dragging the clubhead back low across the grass for the first foot or two. Focus on turning your shoulders and hips and pushing your hands away from your chest to create a wide, rounded swing arc. This width is a huge source of power and consistency.
• Body-Powered Rotation: The swing is athletic. Your power is driven almost entirely by your torso. Do not try to manipulate things too much - just go with your natural, balanced motion for an easy, repeatable swing.

Step 3: The Downswing and Impact Feel

This is where it all comes together. The right feeling here is everything.

• Rotate Through, Don't 'Hit At': Your power comes from unwinding your body. As you start down, your focus should not be on "hitting the ball." Instead, feel like you're rotating your chest and hips towards your target as quickly as possible. The club is just along for the ride. Let the centripetal force work.
• Maintain Your Tilt: As you unwind, try to maintain that spine tilt you set up at address. Avoid the common amateur mistake of lunging your upper body towards the ball. Feel like your head and chest stay "behind the ball" at impact.
• Finish High and Balanced: A beautiful, complete finish is the sign of a great swing. If you've successfully swept the ball, your body’s momentum will carry your arms up and around into a high position, with nearly all of your weight on your front foot.

A Simple Drill: The Headcover Drill

This drill is excellent for curing a steep, over-the-top swing. First, use the drill to set up a starting checkpoint - the line to your designated target is directly in front of where you begin. This line is for practice with the headcover, lying on its stomach a foot behind where your ball would be. A steep, descending blow is ineffective, so practice low takeaways. As you build more club head speed and confidence, this will become part of your setup.

There you go! Not only do you now understand the fundamental nature of your current issue, but we provide a more practical look into what ails you so you can start down the right road. Take those few moments before your next shot on the course to practice until you find your swing again.

Final Thoughts

Learning the art of the sweep is one of the most powerful changes you'll discover. Knowing you don’t need to hit hard is essential for new players. With each shot, you’ll feel more confident, and a whole new game opens up for you with consistency from high-quality shots. Be patient, it’s worth the wait.

I know breaking old habits is tough, as is feeling confident that you’re practicing the right thing. That’s why having a 24/7 golf coach is so powerful. With Caddie AI, you can get instant advice on your strategy or club choice right on the course. Taking out uncertainty makes you feel better because you're better equipped with the right advice, leading to better attempts.