HOW TO HIT IT HIGH

PERCEPTION : Hit the ball 'upwards' to get it airborne.

Most beginners struggle to get the ball airborne. The perception is that, to get the ball in the air one must hit it "upwards", in other words, get the low point in the clubs arc behind the ball and hit it on the upswing. It is a perfectly logical assumption and virtually every beginner does this.

However logical it might seem, the ball flight is actually determined by physics, and that means the ball requires backspin to become airborne.

If the low point in the clubs arc is behind the ball, that is, before the club reaches the ball, then the clubhead cannot possibly strike the bottom of the ball. If it does not strike the bottom of the ball it is impossible to put backspin on it. If you wanted to kick a rugby ball between the posts, you would never kick the top half of the ball. If you did, you would impart topspin, and it would roll along the ground. It is the backspin that gets the ball airborne and exactly the same principle applies to a golf ball, or any other ball for that matter.

The angle of the clubface, or what is termed "the loft" of the club, will determine the trajectory of the ball flight provided it is struck correctly.

In order to impart maximum backspin on the ball, the club needs to strike it very "cleanly", without any grass getting between the clubface and the ball. In order to do this the hands need to get past the ball a split second before the clubface. It is physically impossible to hit the ball first, and then the grass, if the hands are "behind" the clubhead.

THE CLUB MUST STRIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE BALL

The hands must lead the clubhead through the hitting area. To keep the hands ahead of the clubface at the moment it strikes the ball, the weight must be more on the left foot than the right and the belt buckle must be ahead of the ball.

If you keep your weight on the right foot you will see that it is physically impossible to hit the ball while the club is still moving downwards. You can only hit it on the "upswing".

To achieve the correct ball flight the low point in the clubs arc should be under the front edge of the ball. This also means that the clubhead should strike the ground directly under the ball. One of your first priorities must be to hit the ground in precisely the same spot with every swing and that spot should be on your centreline, midway between your feet.

.

Now is the time to trust your clubs and believe in the laws of physics. Work on hitting the ball while the clubhead is still moving downwards. Hit the ball first, then the grass, and allow the club to do its work.

You never need to help the ball into the air.

Keep your head BEHIND the ball.

You cannot hit it straight or high or far with your head in front of the ball.

 GO BACK TO THE HOME PAGE