Stinger Shot
Also known as: the stinger, low burner
A stinger is a low, penetrating, low-spin shot hit on purpose, usually with a driver or long iron off the tee. It stays under the wind and rolls out extra yards on landing.
A stinger is a low-trajectory shot built on purpose. It is most associated with a driver or long iron struck off a tee. The ball flight stays much lower than a normal drive while still carrying a long way. Tour players made it famous in windy major championships. Unlike a mis-hit low shot (a thin strike or a topped ball), a stinger is a controlled, repeatable shot shape. It comes from specific setup and swing adjustments. The ball moves back in the stance, and the shaft leans slightly more forward at address. The swing emphasizes body rotation and control over a full, high-launching release.
A stinger stays low and penetrating, rather than weak, because of reduced dynamic loft and lower spin at impact. Sound technique creates those conditions, not an off-center or delofted mis-hit. With low spin, the ball resists ballooning in the wind and holds a stable, boring trajectory. It then releases and rolls much further on landing than a normal, higher-spinning drive would. That makes it a favorite for windy conditions and tight driving holes where extra roll helps. It also suits situations that call for more control than a full, high drive gives.
Hitting a stinger well means holding back some of the natural release and hand action of a normal, higher-launching shot. Many players describe the feeling as "swinging through" with the body instead of releasing fully with the hands. That keeps the shaft leaning forward and the delivered loft lower than standard. It is a genuinely advanced shot to hit reliably, because it takes precise control of dynamic loft and spin. Simply "swinging easier" or hitting down aggressively produces a mis-hit low shot, not 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. It 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. Telling it apart from an accidental low shot helps golfers understand what they are actually practicing. Launch angle and spin rate from a launch monitor help confirm whether a "stinger" attempt produced truly low, controlled spin. Otherwise it was closer to a mis-struck thin shot that behaves less predictably.
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 usually produces a low, thin, hard-to-predict 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 kept lower and more controlled than normal, usually with more club and a three-quarter swing. It fights wind or sharpens distance control.
- Punch ShotA punch shot is a low, controlled recovery shot, usually from trouble like overhanging branches or wind. A shortened swing and back ball position keep it well under normal height.
- Shaft LeanShaft lean is when the hands and grip end are ahead of the clubhead at impact. It reduces dynamic loft, compresses the ball, and marks 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.
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