If you want to hit your irons properly and stop those frustrating fat shots, I want you to focus on two fundamentals I see high handicappers struggle with every day: angle of attack and the takeaway.
You don’t need a launch monitor or fancy training aid to fix this. One towel and a simple drill can clean up your contact almost immediately and help you start to strike your irons properly. I use this with players of all levels, but it’s especially powerful if you’re looking for quick improvement and better ball-then-turf contact.
Why Most Fat Iron Shots Happen
Fat shots usually come from one (or both) of these issues:
Getting your weight behind the ball in creating a low point before the ball
Releasing the wrists too early, causing the club to bottom out behind the ball
The drill below gives you instant feedback on both problems.
The Towel Drill – What You Need
One towel or small cloth, laid flat on the ground
A mid-to-short iron (start with a wedge or 7-iron)
A ball or two
A small practice area on grass or a mat
Simple setup. Big results.
Setup and the Key Feeling
Lay the towel flat on the ground and place your ball about two club-head lengths in front of it. The towel should sit just behind where your divot would ideally begin.
Your goal is very simple:
Miss the towel on the backswing — and miss it again after impact.
To do that, I want you to focus on three key feelings:
1. Lift in the takeaway
Don’t drag the club head along the turf. Let it lift slightly off the ground early as the club starts back.
2. Delayed release
If your wrists release too early, the club bottoms out behind the ball and you’ll hit the towel. Hold your angles longer through impact.
3. Swing through and hold
Commit to the strike. Swing through the ball and hold your finish so you can feel balance and connection.
Step-by-Step: How to Do the Drill
Place the towel flat on the ground
Position the ball roughly two club-head lengths in front of it
Set up with your normal stance, posture, and grip
Start the takeaway feeling the club head lift slightly — no dragging
Make a normal backswing, then swing through the ball
Focus on not touching the towel after impact
Hold your finish for a couple of seconds after every swing
If you hit the towel or the ground behind the ball, your release is happening too early or your low point is too far back.
What This Drill Trains
Correct angle of attack — encourages a slightly descending strike
Better takeaway awareness — stops the club dragging along the turf
Delayed wrist release — reduces flipping and fat shots
Improved connection — ball first, then turf, with cleaner divots
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Still hitting the towel after impact
You’re releasing too early. Focus on holding your wrist angles longer through the strike.
Catching the towel on the backswing
You’re dragging the club. Feel the club head lift earlier and keep the takeaway compact.
Topped shots or no divot at all
You may be swinging too shallow. Make sure your weight moves slightly toward your front foot at impact and the club is working down into the ball.
Progressions and Practice Plan
Start with wedges or short irons
Hit 30–50 controlled swings per session
Once you consistently miss the towel, move to longer irons
Gradually increase swing speed without losing the feeling
Practice on grass when possible to check real turf interaction
Use a tee or visual marker to confirm where your divot starts
Film a few swings on your phone to confirm early lift and delayed release
Quick Checklist Before You Hit
Towel placed two club-head lengths behind the ball
Club head lifts early in the takeaway
Wrist release happens after impact
Balanced finish held for feedback
Final Thought from the Coach
This towel drill is one of the simplest habit builders I know. It gives you immediate, honest feedback — and that’s how real improvement happens.
Spend just a few focused minutes with this drill and you’ll see cleaner contact, fewer fat shots, and more consistent iron play. Use it regularly, then take the feeling onto the course. When your angle of attack improves, your ball flight and confidence will improve with it.
See you on the range.
For more golf tips click here – Or to learn more about Denise Hasting, Master PGA Coach click here
About Your Coach
Denise Hastings is an honorary member of the PGA and a master coach. She was a founder member of the Ladies European Tour, offering an incredible wealth of experience to her students.