Driver Launch Angle

[a_hornsfan]

I was swinging on an electronic swing analyzer yesterday and the one thing I really noticed is my launch is very low compared to others. I know the average pro/low handicap player has around 11-14 degree launch angle but my launch angle was around 5 to 8.5 degrees. Now, I make sure the ball is played of my left heel and I don't think I really hit down on my drives. I don't ever get divots or anything like that either.

Is there any good/easy ways to increase your launch angle???

[Martin Levac]

Re: Driver Launch Angle

The easiest is to use a club with more loft. The hardest is to use the same club with a different technique to launch the ball higher. In between you can tee the ball higher.

I would try to strike the ball upward first. Then I would try to strike the ball downward. Then I would try anything in between extremes. I would also experiment with striking the ball on different areas of the clubface. Higher will launch higher with lower spin, lower will launch lower with higher spin.

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver Launch Angle

Hornsfan, for me it was a combination of a hip slide and a naturally steep swing causing a negative angle of attack. The solution I implemented was to use a 14° driver until I could sort out my swing.

I'm now back to a higher launching 11° driver. I really have to feel like I'm 'hanging back' to hit it on the upswing. I haven't been to the range to work on it enough... so the 14 rides in the trunk, ready to go at a moments' notice!

[Stillhacken]

Re: Driver Launch Angle

Keep your head behind the ball. I have this problem when I slide to much in the downswing. Sometimes I think its a mistake to put the ball so far forward. It makes me slide to get to it. If I place the ball just left of center I dont feel I need to move to get to the ball ......thus my head stays still and I hit up on the ball.

Most tips say to place the ball off the left heal or toe for the driver. Every swing sequence I watch of the pros they seldom have the ball that far forward.

[Giri]

Re: Driver Launch Angle

Keep your head behind the ball. I have this problem when I slide to much in the downswing. Sometimes I think its a mistake to put the ball so far forward. It makes me slide to get to it. If I place the ball just left of center I dont feel I need to move to get to the ball ......thus my head stays still and I hit up on the ball.

Most tips say to place the ball off the left heal or toe for the driver. Every swing sequence I watch of the pros they seldom have the ball that far forward.

I agree with you . I always place ball forward from me . Yay this is my first post here