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Golf Swing Mechanics

What is Thin Shot in Golf?

Striking the ball above its equator with the leading edge of the club, producing a low, hot ball flight.

Full Definition

A thin shot occurs when the clubhead strikes the equator or top of the ball rather than below it. The ball launches low, runs along the ground, or rockets off the face with little height. Thinning is often a compensating action — the body hanging back, forcing the arms to reach for the ball and strike it on the upswing. Early extension is a major cause of thin shots (the body moves toward the ball, then has to lift to avoid hitting it fat). GOATY identifies the root biomechanical cause of your thin shots.

See How Thin Shot Affects YOUR Swing — In Real Time

GOATY AI watches your swing live through your camera, speaks coaching cues in your ear while you swing, and measures the exact biomechanics — including thin shot — that determine your ball-striking quality.

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💡 GOATY AI Coaching Note:

Thin shots often start with early extension — GOATY catches this in real time during your swing. Book a free live lesson to see your own thin shot data in real time during your practice session.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thin Shot in golf?

Striking the ball above its equator with the leading edge of the club, producing a low, hot ball flight.

Why does thin shot matter for scoring?

A thin shot occurs when the clubhead strikes the equator or top of the ball rather than below it. The ball launches low, runs along the ground, or rockets off the face with little height. Thinning is often a compensating action — the body hanging back, forcing the arms to reach f...

How can I improve my thin shot?

Thin shots often start with early extension — GOATY catches this in real time during your swing. GOATY AI measures your thin shot in real time during live practice sessions — giving you instant feedback without needing to film and review video after the fact.

What is a good thin shot for an amateur golfer?

The benchmark is the GOAT Model — elite swing mechanics scored at 97.3. GOATY AI shows you exactly how your thin shot compares to this elite standard and coaches you toward it session by session.