Popping up a Driver and Catching It

[Clemsonfan]

Yesterday, our church held our annual golf tournament in memory of a great friend and parishioner who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2012.

On the 10th hole there was a short backup, and I noticed some range balls that I could hit back on the range. A few had lies good enough to attempt the catching the ball with your hand challenge.  I had my 54* and could not quite do it.

My playing partners, 70, 71 and 79, were intrigued and we discussed trying to hit a flop shot and catching the ball. None thought they had the swing speed to do so.
 

The very athletic 70-year old stepped to the tee and gave the ball a mighty lash. When he did, the ball went straight up into the air, about eye-height, and dropped to the ground. If he had known where to look, he could have easily caught the ball because it was moving so slowly, almost as if he was playing catch by himself!
 

I wished he had.  I have seen more double eagles than I have people catch their own driver swing at full speed!

[boogielicious]

15 minutes ago, Clemsonfan said:

Yesterday, our church held our annual golf tournament in memory of a great friend and parishioner who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2012.

On the 10th hole there was a short backup, and I noticed some range balls that I could hit back on the range. A few had lies good enough to attempt the catching the ball with your hand challenge.  I had my 54* and could not quite do it.

My playing partners, 70, 71 and 79, were intrigued and we discussed trying to hit a flop shot and catching the ball. None thought they had the swing speed to do so.
 

The very athletic 70-year old stepped to the tee and gave the ball a mighty lash. When he did, the ball went straight up into the air, about eye-height, and dropped to the ground. If he had known where to look, he could have easily caught the ball because it was moving so slowly, almost as if he was playing catch by himself!
 

I wished he had.  I have seen more double eagles than I have people catch their own driver swing at full speed!

Here’s a thread where you will see a few.

[Clemsonfan]

My partner almost did it with his DRIVER! I failed to include that detail, I guess!

[iacas]

That'd leave one heck of an idiot mark.

[Clemsonfan]

He had two drivers. He is 5’7”, and has one 45”+ and one he told me he cut about 4” off and regripped. I never got a good look because we played from different tees. I almost thought he hit it with bottom of the club because of the slow speed it went into the air!  It was amazing!

i have seen Bryson intentionally top shots in videos, and with a wood I think his ball flight was similar, but a few yards ahead!

[billchao]

1 hour ago, Clemsonfan said:

He had two drivers. He is 5’7”, and has one 45”+ and one he told me he cut about 4” off and regripped. I never got a good look because we played from different tees. I almost thought he hit it with bottom of the club because of the slow speed it went into the air!  It was amazing!

i have seen Bryson intentionally top shots in videos, and with a wood I think his ball flight was similar, but a few yards ahead!

If he topped it and the ball bounced off the ground and up, it’s not a pop up. That’s called a Baltimore chop 😃