Fix Thin Fairway Wood Shots With 3 Setup Keys From a Top Teacher

Thinning a fairway wood usually gets blamed on impact, but GOLF Top 100 Teacher Debbie Doniger says the real cause is set up before the swing even starts.

Why do golfers thin fairway woods?

Many amateurs move the ball forward in their stance, assuming a fairway wood should be struck on the upswing like a driver. That position can push the ball ahead of the swing's low point, making ball-first contact harder and leading to thin strikes.

The fix: ball position and pressure

Doniger's first setup key is playing the ball about a club head inside the lead heel, which helps the swing bottom out at or just before the ball rather than too early. She also recommends a roughly 60/40 weight split favoring the lead foot at address. For golfers still struggling with consistency, she suggests choking down slightly on the grip.

Shortening the club can also shorten the backswing and add control.

"If you choke down a little bit, that also should help to lead to more consistency," Doniger says.

Stop the backswing when the shoulders stop

A backswing that runs too long makes it harder to return to a consistent low point. Doniger's checkpoint: once the lead shoulder is under the chin and the shoulder turn is complete, the arms should stop traveling with it.

Find the low point in practice

Doniger recommends making practice swings on dewy grass and watching where the club's sole brushes the turf. The divot or brush mark should land in front of where the ball would be, not behind it -- a simple visual check for a proper low point.

Equipment plays a role too. A fairway wood built with a higher center of gravity and deeper face, such as the Callaway Quantum Mini Spinner, is designed to help launch the ball higher and add forgiveness on mis-hits, which can build confidence for golfers who fear a low, thin shot.