Stinger Shot
Also known as: the stinger, low burner
A stinger is a deliberately low, boring, low-spin shot — usually hit with a driver or long iron off the tee — that stays under wind and rolls out extra yards on landing, made famous by tour players in windy major championships.
A stinger is a purposefully engineered low-trajectory shot, most associated with a driver or long iron struck off a tee in a way that keeps the ball flight dramatically lower than a normal drive while still carrying significant distance. Unlike a mis-hit low shot (a thin strike or a topped ball), a stinger is a controlled, repeatable shot shape built from specific setup and swing adjustments: ball position moved back in the stance, a slightly more forward-leaning shaft at address, and a swing that emphasizes body rotation and control over a full, high-launching release.
The physics behind why a stinger stays low and penetrating (rather than simply being a weak, mis-hit shot) is reduced dynamic loft and lower spin at impact, achieved through legitimate technique rather than an off-center or delofted mis-hit. Because spin rate is low, the ball resists ballooning in the wind and holds a stable, boring trajectory, then releases and rolls significantly further on landing than a normal, higher-spinning drive would — making it a favored shot for windy conditions, tight driving holes where extra roll is an advantage, or situations calling for more control than a full, high drive provides.
Executing a stinger well requires suppressing some of the natural release and hand action that produces a normal, higher-launching shot — many players describe the feeling as "swinging through" with the body rather than releasing fully with the hands, which keeps the shaft leaning forward and the loft delivered lower than standard. It is a genuinely advanced shot to execute consistently, since it requires precise control over dynamic loft and spin rather than simply "swinging easier" or hitting down aggressively, both of which produce a mis-hit low shot rather than a true stinger.
Example
Facing a strong crosswind off the tee, a player moves the ball back in their stance and hits a controlled, low stinger with a long iron that stays under the wind and rolls out well past where a normal high shot would have landed.
Why it matters
A stinger is a deliberate skill, not a mis-hit, and distinguishing it clearly from an accidental low shot helps golfers understand what they are actually practicing when they work on this shot. SwingVantage reporting launch angle and spin rate for a low shot helps confirm whether a "stinger" attempt achieved genuinely low, controlled spin, or whether it was closer to a mis-struck thin shot with less predictable behavior.
How it shows up on video
Down-the-line video of a well-executed stinger shows a more forward ball position and shaft lean at address than a standard driver swing, with a compact, controlled finish rather than a full, high release — the ball comes off noticeably lower and holds a flatter trajectory throughout its flight.
Common mistakes
- Confusing a stinger with simply hitting down hard on a teed ball — that combination typically produces a low, thin, unpredictable shot rather than a controlled, low-spin stinger.
- Trying to swing easier to keep the ball low — reduced effort generally reduces distance without necessarily reducing spin or launch the way a proper stinger setup does.
- Practicing only with a driver — many golfers find it easier to first learn stinger mechanics with a long iron or hybrid, where the lower loft makes the low-spin feeling and ball flight easier to produce and understand.
Related terms
- Knock-Down ShotA knock-down shot is an approach shot deliberately hit with a lower, more controlled trajectory than normal — usually with more club and a shorter, three-quarter swing — to fight wind or control distance more precisely.
- Punch ShotA punch shot is a low, controlled recovery shot typically hit from trouble — under tree branches or out of wind — using a shortened swing and a ball position back in the stance to keep the trajectory well under a normal shot height.
- Shaft LeanShaft lean is when the grip end of the club is ahead of the clubhead at impact — the hands in front of the ball. It reduces dynamic loft, compresses the ball, and is the signature of good iron contact.
- Spin RateSpin rate is how fast the ball spins after impact, in revolutions per minute. It controls how the ball climbs, holds the air, and stops on landing.
- Attack AngleAttack angle is the vertical direction the clubhead is moving at impact. Negative means hitting down on the ball; positive means hitting up.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into your swing
SwingVantage can spot this in your own swing — free to start.
See a sample Golf report first