Controlling how high or low your golf ball flies is one of the most useful and impressive skills you can develop on the golf course. It’s what separates reactive golfers from proactive shotmakers. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what a flighted shot is, explain why it's such a valuable tool in your arsenal, and give you a practical, step-by-step tutorial for hitting both low and high shots on command.
At its core, a flighted shot is any shot where you intentionally alter the ball's trajectory to be lower or higher than your standard, stock golf shot. Imagine your 7-iron normally flies to a certain peak height, flighting it down means hitting a 7-iron that flies noticea bly lower, while fli ghting it up means hitting one that soars higher than usual.
This isn't just about swinging harder or softer. It's a technical adjustment that comes from changing your setup and swing dynamics to manage the club's loft at impact. Think of it like a po ol player using "english" on the cue ball to control where it goes after contact. A flighted a pproach shot allo ws you t o control what the golf ball does not just in the air, but also when it hits the ground.
Generally, we talk about two primary types of flighted shots:
Learning to manipulate your ball flight is more than just a neat party trick, it's a vital part of smart course mana gement that directly saves you strokes. Once you have this skill, you start looking at the course through a different l ens, seeing opportunities instead of just problems.
This is the most common and powerful application. Have you ever hit a perfect shot directly at the flag, only to watch the wind grab it and dump it in a greenside bunker? It's frustrating. A low, penetrating knockdown shot minimizes the wind's effect. It stays "under the worst of it" because it's in the air fo r slightly less time and presents a lower, more controlled ball flight. Conversely, playing downwind, you can hit a high shot and let the wind help carry it for some extra distance.
We've all bee n there: your tee shot finds its way under a cluster of trees, and your only window to the green is BENEATH a low-hanging branch. A standard shot is impossible. This is the perfect moment for a low, flighted punch shot to escape trouble and maybe even find the green. On the flip side, what if a tall tree is directly between you and a front pin? The high, soft-s topping shot is you r ticket to ca rrying the obstacle and giving yourself a putt for birdie.
The ability to flight your shots gives you a huge strategic advantage on approach shots.
Hitting a low shot feels powerful and controlled. The goal is to reduce the effective l oft o f the club at impact by compressing the ball with a forward-leaning shaft. It feels solid and sounds incredible w hen you get it righ t.
Because you'll be making a shorter, mo re contra olled swing, you need to "club up." This means taking at least one more club than you'd normally hit from that distance. F or example, if it's a 150-yard shot an d you normally hit an 8-iron, grab your 7-iron. I f it 's extra windy, you mi ght even consider the 6-ir on. Don't worry - the technique will reduce the distance so it travels the correct yardage.
The most important work for this shot happens befare a you t ake the club b ack. Here’s the setup:
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
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