Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Gabriel G — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:03:15 GMT

Nothing beats asking a PGA Pro about this. They can save you hours on the driving range with a little tip. I learned the hard way.

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Jose A — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 04:22:25 GMT

It can be caused by so many things that with so little info we shouldn't say anything, spin rate is the most probable cause of it, but it might not be the only one

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

froneputt — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 04:45:46 GMT

[quote user="Curtis M"]

Tips anyone?? My driver is seems to be getting worse. I was even asked the other day if I was allowed to play at a certain course cause it was close to an airport!!

[/quote]

Tough to say without video or knowledge of ball flight other than "high."

Have a pro look at you; or have a friend take your phone and video you from down the line and a caddie view.

If it's too much spin, could be steep swing, ball position not sufficiently forward, not teed up high enough, stance, etc....

With today's drivers, one typically wants a positive angle of attack (ascending swing and a shallow or wide swing) to create less spin and higher launch.

Depending on the issue, position the ball off your lead shoulder (or big toe), tee it up so half the ball is above the driver, and try a downswing to make a "U" instead of a "V" shape in the downswing -- think wide. Try it, and make small adjustments if something isn't working, etc. Good luck!

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Gordon H — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 09:03:40 GMT

Try the simplicity of moving the ball a bit back in your stance and teeing the ball a bit lower.

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Mike R — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:49:28 GMT

Also hand position. If you were standing too far from the ball , odds are you have a tendency to have you hands to high ( a natural effect from reaching). This throws your whole plane off line. It's pretty amazing how such little details are so essential to to a proper plane and good ball striking.

Arms relaxed and grip pointed at belt buckle. Cheers

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Edward K — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 02:44:24 GMT

Good point with moving closer. I never thought of that and a buddy pointed it out to me and I picked up 20 yards right away, and another 10 after adjusting to it. Those subtle adjustments are valuable!!

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Mike R — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:18:45 GMT

May sound crazy , but stand closer to the ball. Its amazing how many player stand too far away with the driver. At first its awkward , but it can change your whole game. I was hitting 36% fairways with 288 avg. Since addressing that. Up to 68 in the fairway with 294ish. Avg.

About me. 29. Male. +2.3 handicap.

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Edward K — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 01:10:17 GMT

Tough call bro. I hit it a lot higher than most, and wouldn't trade it for the world. Find an experienced pro, as not all teachers are as qualified as many would think. I've read a lot of good starting points form the guys on here, but for me, I'd say you were hanging back, or coming in very steep. Good luck, and remember, low ball flight can't carry it over the corner!..LOL

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

FourWiggle — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 17:21:49 GMT

[quote user="Chris H"]

Spin is what gets the ball up in the air. If you want a lower, more penetrating ball flight, then you have to lower the spin rate. Lowering the spin rate can be accomplished with a more ascending blow and a shallower attack angle.

Best of luck,

[/quote]

CH has your issue pinpointed...

The spin you're generating which causes the ball to go up into the ozone is from a negative angle of attack (AOA), you're hitting down on the ball. What you want to do is get the AOA to positive 1 or 2 degrees and you will notice an immediate change in the ball flight. Also the harder you swing the higher it's going to go so dial back on the power meter to about 80% for a couple of swings just to get an idea of what the trajectory, impact angle and tempo feel like then you can return to your desired swing speed.

I agree with the other posters that advised seeking some swing advise from a professional. This will help you determine why and how to make the proper adjustments for your swing. It could be ball position, coming over-the-top, improper weight shift, grip and/or setup issues, etc. Best to see a qualified instructor if at all possible...

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Chris Hatem — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:56:08 GMT

Best of luck,

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

jim t — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 22:37:51 GMT

Curtis; I had the same problem, so my pro suggested to lower the tee height so the top of the ball is just above the top of the driver. Look at the pro's on the tour, and look at the position of the ball when they tee it up... Hope that helps..

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Curtis M — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 10:52:41 GMT

Well I have always had an extremely high ball flight. It just seems like it may be getting a bit worse. I play a 913d2 10.5 with a RIP Phenom 70 shaft. The shaft was not fit for me. I am waiting to get fitted for the 915's so I will not be making any shaft changes with my current 913's. And yes, I definitely should see a pro for a lesson or two.

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Don O — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 02:31:24 GMT

On your way to the swing doctor, check your impact point with impact paper tape or talc on the back of your ball. Setting the ball up an 1/8th or 1/4 inch higher may be contributing, if your swing isn't contributing by extension or by releasing the lag too far from impact.

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Bomber3 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 16:56:05 GMT

Curtis,

I agree with Marc, have a professional take a look at what is happening with your swing before making any equipment changes. Assuming you were fit for your driver and just recently started experiencing the pop-ups, what ever is wrong has to be in your swing (all the items Marc mentioned plus maybe impacting the ball on your downswing). Get the swing check-up!

Barry

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Marc W — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:28:21 GMT

[quote user="Curtis M"]

Tips anyone?? My driver is seems to be getting worse. I was even asked the other day if I was allowed to play at a certain course cause it was close to an airport!!

[/quote] If the ball flight seems to be getting progressively higher, it sounds like a swing hitch. Before shelling out cash on a new shaft or a new driver, I'd say grab a couple of lessons to see if you're doing something odd with your setup, ball position, or something through the swing (possibly staying back too much on the downswing or flipping your wrists through impact). We all develop bad habits seemingly out of nowhere without really noticing it.

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Luke W — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:36:02 GMT

all in the shaft man. i play a 12 degree 913 d2 with 82 gram x stiff proforce v2 and still doesnt go as high as some people might think

Re: Lowering Driver Ball Flight

Spudstarch — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 18:13:04 GMT

Maybe look into getting a heavier 80g tour shaft and a lighter weight installed in the head.