Are you struggle with hitting your irons too high?
As a junior golfer, I had a knack for hitting my irons at a high trajectory. However, I soon encountered problems with consistently hitting my irons too high. This caused difficulty in managing the distance the ball traveled and made it hard to play in windy conditions, whether a tailwind, headwind, or crosswind. Other golfers may struggle maximizing their shot distance when their ball consistently flies too high.
Therefore, first, let’s identify the causes of this issue and then explore techniques to achieve the desired ball flight.
Hitting a golf ball high is a good thing.
If you launch the ball at a high altitude, there is a greater possibility that the ball will soar through the air for a longer period of time.
However, some people hit the ball so high that it causes issues in their game.
The first Question is,
Why Do I Hit My Irons So High?
Hitting iron shots high can be frustrating, especially when trying to achieve distance control or hitting in windy conditions. A common cause of hitting irons high is a steep swing, which can result in striking the ball with the clubface leaning back. This can add extra loft to the shot, causing it to launch higher than intended. Another reason for high iron shots could be the use of incorrect equipment. If you are playing with shafts that are too flexible, it may cause the clubface to open up at impact and lead to high shots.
My Experience: A number of golfers experience a suboptimal impact position and reduced distance due to improper casting from the top, which results in an early loss of speed. This type of swing also generates a high and overly spin-heavy shot that underperforms in terms of distance.
By contrast, top professional golfers exhibit a proper impact position characterized by hands that are located in front of the ball (on the aiming side) upon contact. This method enables a more effective ball compression and launches at a lower angle than the club’s loft.
Afterward, check the launch angle in relation to the degree of loft on the golf club. A key point to note is that the driver is the only club that produces a launch angle higher than its loft. When it comes to every other club in the golfer’s set, the launch angle is typically lower than the club’s loft.
How to Stop Hitting Irons Too High
To stop hitting the golf ball so high, you need first to determine why it’s going so high.
At times, it can be challenging to manipulate the trajectory of the ball when you’re using unsuitable gear.
To improve your control over the ball’s flight, we have some pointers for you.
WRONG EQUIPMENT
Generally, if you have a higher swing speed, it becomes simpler to elevate the ball. Conversely, those with slower swing speeds will have to invest in equipment that assists them in achieving that elevation. This gear tends to be significantly lighter and more malleable.
On the other hand, golfers who tend to strike the ball excessively high might require a stronger and weightier shaft.
In case you prefer to keep the flex of your shaft as it is but want to ensure your ball travels straight, consider adding more weight. Many companies provide shafts with regular flex weighing 50 grams, as well as a 60-gram alternative designed to suit players with faster swing speeds. It may become necessary to replace your current shafts with heavier ones in order to achieve your desired results.
SWING PLANE
Have you witnessed a scenario where a golfer hits a driver that goes directly up in the air and comes straight down? This is a significant issue, and its root cause is more related to a faulty swing than to managing the flight path. The steeper your swing plane, the simpler it becomes to hit the ball upwards.
While this might prove advantageous in some cases, like getting a ball out of a bunker while needing it to ascend and descend precisely, it is not ideal for shots from the tee or the fairway. To flatten your swing plane a bit, you need to work on the way you take your club away from the ball.
Ensure that the club does not ascend too quickly as soon as you start your swing. The more you practice bringing your swing plane shallow, the easier it will be to govern your shots’ trajectory.
SETUP
If your golf ball is positioned too far back in your stance, it can lead to an overly steep swing. To achieve clean and precise shots, it’s recommended to position the ball closer to your front foot for most swings.
For optimal results when using your driver, it’s best to tee the ball up closer to the front of your stance.
FINISH
If your final position after hitting the ball is elevated, it could result in hitting the ball excessively high.
This is particularly noticeable when attempting to execute a punch or wind shot compared to your standard swing.
Conversely, keeping your finish at a lower angle may lead to a decreased ball trajectory.
WHEN YOU HIT A GOLF BALL HIGH?
When hitting a full swing to a clear green, it is important to keep the golf ball lofted in the air. This will result in a more powerful and effective ball trajectory. It’s recommended to use a club that you feel confident with for maximum height. Additionally, getting enough height off of your driver will ensure that the ball travels further. When near the greens, hitting the ball with high loft will stop it precisely at the landing spot and potentially spin it back as well.
Continue Read: Most Visible Golf Ball Colors
WHEN YOU HIT A GOLF BALL LOW?
To avoid wind interference during golf, it’s wise to prevent your ball from catching the wind by keeping it low whenever possible. This will not only help you gain more yardage but also provide better command over the ball.
When executing a bump-and-run shot towards a green with many obstacles around it, it’s advisable to keep the ball low. To achieve this, position the ball towards the middle or front of your stance, swing with a ¾ motion, and end low.
These particular shots are alternatively known as punch shots or stingers at times.
Another ideal opportunity to employ such shots would be while attempting to extract the ball from within the woods.
Opting for a heroic shot may not always result in favorable outcomes when stuck in a difficult situation. Choose to play a shot that reinstates your position on the course and proceed further.
To escape from underneath the trees, it is usually necessary to execute a lower-trajectory shot.
DO GOLF BALLS THAT ARE HIT LOW STILL STOP WHEN THEY LAND?
Not all golf shots with low loft will keep rolling when it lands. Besides the shot’s trajectory, the spin also plays a role in stopping the golf ball. When executing a punch shot with a wedge, the ball’s height will be lower than usual, but it’s still possible for it to come to a halt once it hits the green.
WILL A LOWER LOFTED DRIVER HELP YOU HIT THE BALL LOWER?
Drivers typically have lofts that vary from 9 to 12 degrees.Adding loft to a driver can enhance its forgiving nature.
Controlling the ball can be challenging with lower lofts.Most inexperienced golfers tend to use a 10.5-degree lofted driver.
A driver with low spin allows the ball to achieve long distances even if it is hit high. Employing a driver with a lower loft can reduce the ball’s height, but it may also amplify the game’s difficulty.
Try borrowing your friend’s club if you are uncertain about whether you can handle a driver with a lower loft.
Investing in a driver with an adjustable loft is an excellent solution.
It allows you to make the needed adjustments and acquire a product that conforms to your swing style.
DO GOLF BALLS AFFECT THE TRAJECTORY OF A SHOT?
The elevation of a golf shot can be influenced by the type of golf ball selected. In general, golf balls with lower compression are more suitable for higher shots. These balls are easier to compress, allowing slower swingers to achieve greater distances.
Golf balls with higher compression present difficulties in generating height. Without appropriate swing speed, these balls are also challenging to hit far. Golfers who possess a high swing speed should acquire golf balls with high compression.
Opting for multi-layered golf balls will also aid in controlling ball flight. Three and four-piece balls tend to work best for golfers that want to lower the ball flight a bit.
WILL CHOKING UP ON THE CLUB HELP KEEP THE BALL LOWER?
When it comes to hitting lower shots, many golfers wonder if choking up on the club can help achieve it. While it can be a useful technique, it may not always work in all situations.
Choking up on the club can indeed help lower the trajectory of the ball by reducing the loft on the clubface. It also limits the amount of power that the golfer can impart on the ball, resulting in a shorter shot with a lower arc.
However, it is important to note that chopping up on the club will only work if the golfer maintains a consistent swing and tempo. Too often, golfers will compensate for the loss of power by rushing their swing or trying to hit the ball too hard, leading to a poor shot.
Therefore, if properly executed, choking up on the club can help keep the ball lower, but it is essential to maintain a proper swing and tempo to achieve the desired result.
WILL THE HEIGHT OF MY TEE AFFECT THE BALL FLIGHT?
Yes, you can be teeing the ball too high.
Which can cause ball flight issues. A simple solution to this problem is to adjust the tee height so that about half of the ball is above the top of the driver’s face.
Teeing it higher than this may lead to a loss of distance while teeing it too low may cause you to miss the driver’s sweet spot. It may take some experimentation to find the perfect tee height, but once you do, try to stick with a consistent tee size to ensure proper setup.
DOES WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AFFECT BALL FLIGHT?
Proper setup and stance play a crucial role in achieving optimal performance.
Improper weight distribution during setup may result in an inaccurate swing plane.
When an excessive amount of weight is on the front foot, the swing can become excessively steep. This is due to the difficulty of transferring weight back to the rear foot and then back through the ball.
To achieve the ideal ball trajectory, ensure that your weight distribution is well-balanced from the start.
