starts low and then soars

[nkranga]

How do they do that...the ball starts low(under a branch, say) then rises above the trees and lands soft on the green. I have seen Tiger do it a few times. What are the setup and swing changes that let you do it?

[LowPost42]

Re: starts low and then soars

What you're describing is called 'tour' trajectory - that teardrop shaped shot. Most golfers have a parabolic shot shape - with the apex in the middle of the flight. But I think the tour trajectory is just a byproduct of a well struck ball. I've got it myself a few times, and each time, I had hit the ball (what felt like) just about perfectly.

[nkranga]

Re: starts low and then soars

LowPost,

I see what you are explaining....but my question is how to get the shot where the ball stays low(like under branches) and then soars high(over tree tops) ....I have seen Tiger do those tricks....just wondering how its done?

[gord962]

Re: starts low and then soars

And look at tigers strength hes all muccle, His arms are huge.Rick

Tiger is definitely well toned, but he is far from HUGE, especially his arms. It's his core muscles that genereate the swing speed, nt his arms. Arm strength has little to do with the golf swing - it is the legs, abs, chest back and shoulders that generate most of the power. THe most important muscles in your arms are forearm muscles - biceps are basically useless.

[nkranga]

Re: starts low and then soars

Tiger is Tiger. No catching him by us mortals...so is it just the faster swing that generates that kind of stay low and then rise high ball flight ? Or is there something else ?

[gord962]

Re: starts low and then soars

A lot of it comes from proper technique and descending blow on the ball. Swing speed is also required, but it's not superhuman, unattainable by the amatuer. If you can hit a 5i over 200 yards, you can hit the shot you have described.

[LowPost42]

Re: starts low and then soars

I just got back from a round, and I hit quite a few of those shots (start low and tear drop).

It's all about good contact and good swing speed.

I changed one thing in my setup to complement my swing, and picked up two clubs (hitting 9i from 150).

It's not a technique, per se, just good technique.

[msklar92]

Re: starts low and then soars

you do not need to be one of the top 10 player in the world to do this.

1) Choke down on the club almost to the metal
2) Play the ball slightly more towards the back of your stance
3) Keep the follow through low.
4) use a lower iron shorten the back swing.

[mr3856a]

Re: starts low and then soars

I changed one thing in my setup to complement my swing, and picked up two clubs (hitting 9i from 150).

What was it that you changed?

[jeffgladchun]

Re: starts low and then soars

this is a byproduct of backspin.

backspin creates a low pressure area above the ball and high pressure below, making the ball rise.

[tomallinder]

Re: starts low and then soars

I agree with many here... can't hit these shots unless you develop some swing speed. Solid contact is a must as well.

[LowPost42]

Re: starts low and then soars

What was it that you changed?

I started using a bit of a forward press, and strengthened my grip, and it let me start creaming the ball.

[LowPost42]

Re: starts low and then soars

I started using a bit of a forward shaft lean, and strengthened my grip, and it let me start creaming the ball.

I just got back from the simulator (there's still snow here), and went with a buddy of mine who had taken lessons with a well known One Plane swing instructor.

I had gotten away from my quoted position (as it seemed all wrong according to all the instruction floating around), but tonight, my buddy puts me back into the same position and again... just creaming ball after ball. I could tell right away if a ball was going to draw (fades surprised me), but it felt like it didn't matter how slow I took the club back, or how hard I swung on the downswing, the result was going to be pretty good.

[merarmou]

Re: starts low and then soars

this is a byproduct of backspin.

backspin creates a low pressure area above the ball and high pressure below, making the ball rise.

Exactly. When I use a driver with a regular flex, I tend to ballon the ball (low then high trajectory). This is because I am generating too much spin. You don't see this type of trajectory as much with irons. I would think that this type of trajectory would be undesireable because it would make distance control very difficult because on any given shot you wouldn't really know how much the ball was going to ballon.