How to Fix Thin Golf Shots with Simple Swing Drills

If you have trouble with inconsistent contact, loss of distance, or thin golf shots, you might be releasing the club too early. Early release, also known as casting, is a common swing issue where the wrists straighten before impact. This allows the clubhead to pass the hands and flip at the bottom of the swing. The result is usually weak contact, loss of power, and a frustrating lack of control.

In this lesson, we will break down why early release happens, what professional golfers do differently, and the exact drills you can practice to correct it. These insights come directly from Scratch Golf Academy founder Adam Bazalgette, a three-time PGA Teacher of the Year.

Understanding Early Release in the Golf Swing

The defining point of an early release is when the clubhead reaches the ball before the handle of the club moves past impact. Instead of compressing the ball with forward shaft lean, the club flips, and the strike becomes inconsistent.

According to Adam Bazalgette Golf, there are four main reasons players release the club too soon.

• Weight remains too far back during the downswing.
• The arms and club are accelerated too quickly.
• The grip or clubface is open, forcing the golfer to flip the club to square it.
• A steep downswing causes the body to bail out, eliminating the ability to hold the release.

What We Can Learn from the Pros

Players like Sergio Garcia and Tom Watson demonstrate very different styles, yet both create solid shaft lean through impact. Garcia generates tremendous lag while Watson’s technique is more compact, but both deliver the club with control and avoid early release.

This shows that you do not need extreme wrist angles to strike the ball well. What you need is consistency in your shaft lean and body movement through impact.

Drills to Train the Correct Release

To improve your release, Adam recommends simple self-check drills using alignment rods and video feedback. Here are a few practical steps you can follow.

• Place an alignment rod a foot in front of the ball and another on the ground for reference.
• Record your swing from down the line to check hip position and shaft lean.
• Rehearse preset impact positions where the grip end of the club is ahead of the ball before striking.

These checkpoints help you build the correct motion and allow you to learn how to hit irons pure. Start with shorter punch shots and gradually move to fuller swings while keeping the same impact feel.

Fixing Thin Shots and Adding Compression

One of the most common outcomes of early release is a string of thin golf shots. By shifting weight forward and keeping the handle of the club ahead of the ball, you can compress it against the turf and strike it more cleanly.

As a reference point, keep the club close to your body through impact with the clubface slightly more closed. This promotes forward shaft lean and prevents the instinct to flip the hands.

Building the Right Swing Feel

Another simple drill is to hold the club lightly in your trail hand and make small rehearsal swings. Notice how the club naturally loads when you shift your weight forward. This helps you create the same effortless lag seen in professional swings.

You can explore more practice ideas and structured programs through Scratch Golf Academy, where Adam shares step-by-step training for golfers of every level.

Conclusion

Improving your swing is about mastering impact, not chasing quick fixes. Whether your goal is to reach scratch golf level consistency or simply stop hitting mishits, these drills are designed to help you compress the ball, strike it more purely, and gain confidence.