How to Hit a High Shot
By Sandy Retsky
Controlling ball flight trajectory is an important part of successful golf. You hit a high shot to go over an obstacle (hill, tree, bunker, water), to stop short of an obstacle (water behind a green) or to stop on firm (fast) greens. High shots minimize roll. Your goal is to develop a simple swing you can easily repeat.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Check your shot preparation. Determine your shot path: how high is the shot, how long is the shot and where should the ball land? Is the shot possible (can you go over all obstacles)? Check the landing spot for any slope that might affect the direction of the first bounce. High shots are easier to hit with grass under the ball.
Choose your club. You can use any club, except the putter. You want the club that matches your chosen shot path.
Check your body setup. Align your shoulders, chest, hips, knees and feet parallel to the target at setup and impact. Place your feet normal width apart (try shoulder width apart) and your weight on your back leg. Lower your back shoulder slightly. Position the ball forward in your stance (try inside front heel); this maximizes the loft of the club face at impact.
Check your club setup. Grip the club at the top of the grip for a fuller swing and more wrist action. At setup and impact, your hands should be slightly behind the club head; square your club face.
Check your mental setup. Visualize the shot path. Believe: "I will make this shot."
Check your swing. Swing hard with wrist action: cock your wrists on the backswing; release them on the downswing. This increases backspin, which adds to the height of your shot. Take a full backswing with a high follow-through. Your downswing should be shallower than normal.
Practice on a driving range. The flight of the ball gives you instant feedback. Make adjustments.
Tips & Warnings
Look at your swing on a regular basis. Most digital cameras record videos; ask a fellow golfer to take a video from a side view and back view. Save your video to check for consistency over time.
For a little extra height, you can simultaneously open your stance and your club face.
Look at your swing on a regular basis. Most digital cameras record videos; ask a fellow golfer to take a video from a side view and back view. Save your video to check for consistency over time.
For a little extra height, you can simultaneously open your stance and your club face.
About The Author
Sandy Retsky caddied at Baltusrol in Springfield, NJ and owned a software consulting business in New York, NY. He is a partner at Reverie Winery in Napa Valley and Butterfly restaurant in San Francisco. He has been writing for golflink.com since early 2009.
