Working the Ball with trajectory

[dagolfer]

This summer i want to sharpen my game and get my average 9 hole score floating in the very low 40's. I think having different trajectory shots will really help my game. In what scenarios do you use different trajectories? The help it will give me is if i am too short with one and too long with another i can go with the shorter club and hit a low stinger and get it to run. Likewise, if i am going for a green and in range of a club i can hit it a bit higher and make it land softly. Just would like to get some more info on how different trajectories will help my game. These different shot along with trying to average a 2 putt on ever green during 9 holes and hitting atleast 75% of fairways and atleast 4 out of 9 greens will give me the desired low 40 score.

[jonanthans]

Personally, I usually only change my trajectory if I have to keep the ball low to avoid an obstacle (tree) or if it is a really windy day. Otherwise, I prefer to play the ball back in my stance and hit it high, adjusting each clubs difference by choking up a bit. For instance, my full 7 iron is 160 yards, if I want to hit it 156 i will choke up an inch on the club and swing my normal tempo. I think you benefit more with a higher trajectory, because the ball doesnt run as much on impact, easier to control. This will help you hit and hold more greens, giving you more birdie and par chances.

If you have a laser rangefinder,or access to one, you can go to an empty field and have someone work with you on your exact distances, choking up 1 inch, 2 inch, etc etc, and you will find you will have a shot for almost every concievable distance you will be confronted with. In my opinion, Its a lot easier to choke up and use your normal swing tempo than it is to try to gauge a 90%/85%/75% swing.

Hope this helps!

[dagolfer]

On the terms of choking up on the club. Where should the end of the grib be when gripped normal? At bottom of palm on right side of right had (right handed golfer). How much choking up would it be if your bottom hand while gripping was near the end of the grip. I thank you so much for the information, like i said before creating shots and not having to try to kill the ball to get it to the green will help me greatly.

[jonanthans]

The grip difers for everybody, but the further you grip down the club, the more accurate you will get. My thumb is actually toucjing the "mizuno" label on my irons.

[dagolfer]

So as in terms of choking down on the club just go from normal grip down and inch and so on?