High Ball Flight

[acepepper]

I seem to hit the ball very high with my irons. I play with blades and I believe that you do get higher ball flight with them anyway? But I think I'm sacrificing distance for height. I only hit my 7 iron 130 yds, 6 iron 140 and so on.

I have to say, that I seem to be striking the ball beautifully, it's not as if I'm duffing any of these. So without seeing my swing, is there something specific I could be doing that's giving me height over distance. And is there a remedy for this?

[gord962]

Re: High Ball Flight

Actually, blades usually produce a lower ball flight.

A few questions - are you taking a divot? Are you transferring your weight from back to front. What is your typical bad shot? (fat or thin, slice or hook, etc)

It almost sounds like you are catching the ball a bit on the upswing...

[acepepper]

Re: High Ball Flight

Actually, blades usually produce a lower ball flight.

A few questions - are you taking a divot? Are you transferring your weight from back to front. What is your typical bad shot? (fat or thin, slice or hook, etc)

It almost sounds like you are catching the ball a bit on the upswing...

Blades fly lower? You learn something new every day.

No, I rarely take a divot. I think I transfer my weight ok, but when I conciously try to do it, I tend to hit fat. And my typical bad shot would be fat and if I don't hit straight, I fade or slice.

[gord962]

Re: High Ball Flight

Try taking divots. This will get your ball flight lower, distances father and your shots more accurate. Irons are diesigned to strike down on the ball, creating a divot after contact with the ball. If you need any further help or clarification, let me know!!

[bonzi_532]

Re: High Ball Flight

I used to hit like you. I quickly learned after i started hitting donwon on the ball that it was a lot better and worth the work to get accustomed to. I have improved greatly in distance, accuracy and constistency just by doing this simple thing.

[acepepper]

Re: High Ball Flight

I used to hit like you. I quickly learned after i started hitting donwon on the ball that it was a lot better and worth the work to get accustomed to. I have improved greatly in distance, accuracy and constistency just by doing this simple thing.

I don't think that's my problem. I do hit down on the ball, but I'm not a great divot taker. I (nearly) always make contact with the turf in front of where the ball's been, so I know I'm hitting it correctly. I suppose I'll have to go and see my pro.

Thanks anyway.

[GregJWillis]

Re: High Ball Flight

I seem to hit the ball very high with my irons...I think I'm sacrificing distance for height. I only hit my 7 iron 130 yds, 6 iron 140 and so on...

Look at:

• Ball Position - center for short irons, slightly forward for mids, and forward for long.
• Left (Leading arm) position - make sure your leading shoulder, arm and club shaft are one long line. This keeps your hands a little in front of the ball.
• Shoulder's position at the top of the swing - make sure you have really made a correct shoulder turn, and not cheated by just lifing your arms up. You should feel your left (leading) shoulder try to get over the top of your right (trailing) knee.
• Acceleration through impact - be sure you have a constant acceleration into the ball. You might be trying to hit the ball harder from the top of the swing thinking that more is always better. You might be saying to yourself, "If you think that is fast from up top, then just wait till I get to the ball!" This will actually have the opposite affect of decerlation. Start the downswing easier and use your hands releasing at the ball harder as the last action.

The accerlation problem is my bet at what you are doing. If you notice your divots are pointing left of the target, then you have an outside-in path and what might be happening is that you have leaned to compensate a pull to the left by either opening your hands up or not releasing fully through impact to keep the ball more right of the target. This counter action does all bad things:

• Increases the loft making the ball go higher. You might see a little movement inflight as a slice, but on shorter irons, it is not as pronounced as a longer iron.
• Reduces your hand power at the release at impact, and this will reduce clubhead speed and cause shorter lengths.

If it was simply your shoulder turn not getting to the correct position, then that is as easy as "just do it!". Relax your shoulders a little more allowing them to be free to rotate about your spine. Get your stomach ready to take a punch. This gets your spine in better alignment and allows your torso to help in the turning. If you relax too much there (in the tummy) you get lazy in the turn back and through. There needs to be a feeling of power at the ready from the top, not from the hands or arms, but from the legs, hips, torso and shoulders. Let the arms and hands be delivered to the ball where they get to pop the ball last with the last bit of accerlation.

Hope one of these items help you out.

[acepepper]

Re: High Ball Flight

Thanks Greg, some of that does make sense, especially the left to right movement with the longer irons bit. This has become so bad with my 3 and 4 irons that I don't even use them any more. And thinking about it, I do try and accelerate too much at the top.

Thanks, that's given me something to work on.

[Mr_Change]

Re: High Ball Flight

With an outside to in swing path you will get more hight on your ball, plus you use more energy to get the club to the ball than to hit through the ball, this will cause slices and high fades with little distances. Try swinging the club down with your left arm instead of your shoulders or right side. this should help you keep the swing on plane which will give you more speed going through the ball at impact. this will give you a better ball flight and longer distances.