Shaping shots, trajectory control, etc...

[Titleist Man]

This mostly applies to low handicapers. What is your technique for shaping shots and controling trajectory? How often do you use these techniques? How much range time did it take to be able to use these on the course. Thanks

[CG031]

Well, what kind of shot do you have in mind?

For a knock down shot I put the ball back of center in my stance. Grip down slightly on the club. And then just produce a 3/4 swing and it should produce a nice, low penetrating trajectory (mostly use it to stay out of the wind - but not too confident in this yet so not very often do I do this...)

What else are you looking for tips on? I spend hours at the range each day so lately I've been messing around with this kind of stuff, experimentation if you will...

[Knockglock]

Well, what kind of shot do you have in mind?

How are you able to spend hours at the range each day without your hands getting shredded up?

Everytime I try and have a long range session I get a blister in the same spot and it usually ends up getting cut open.

[CG031]

How are you able to spend hours at the range each day without your hands getting shredded up?

They get used to it. Believe me, took me a while....and also A LOT of that first aid medical tape that Tiger uses. Now I need it everyday my hands get so bad.

I've worked on grip pressure going down from about a 7 to a 4...makes a big difference as well.

[Knockglock]

Does the first aid tape just help make blisters less painful and more manageable or what?

Thanks for the tips, I'm going to try that medical tape and also decreasing my grip pressure.

[Saint]

you dont need medical tape, just a roll of the athletic tape, probably the same stuff with different price tags.

Shaping shots has a lot to do with ball placement in your stance, and the grip.

[Adumb]

I have extremely caloused hands so all I really get is a blister on the bottom right corner of my left palm when my glove tears. I used to spend hours at the range too.

Something I do for the low punch is I will choke up and not take a full swing. If I'm trying to hit a low ball off the tee, I start with ball in about the middle of my stance and tee it just a little lower. High shots come naturally when the ball is in line with your front heel. Nothing like a good ol wind cheater to carry it 300 yards. For fade and draw I turn my entire grip slightly to the left or to the right and take a normal swing. Works like a charm for me.

[Scott_K]

I practice low trajectory shots with my 4i to 6i at the range. I bring the ball back in my stance, choke down and use a hip to hip swing. I usually have a couple of drives that end up in the trees and I have to punch out. I can use this type of shot for wind as well, but use it more often in the woods. Sometimes there's an oppurtunity to thread it through some trees, roll it up on the green and salvage par. I'll then proceed to paste the fairway and hit the green on the next hole and 3 putt.

I use to have a draw in my game, but I've shelved it to concentrate on straight and fade shots for consistency. My fades involve slightly different ball position, aim, face angle and grip. I do this for 3-5i. For shorter shots where I use 7-9i, I only change up my aim and face angle. I then exaggerate the outside-in swing path. It's more of a "baby" fade and doesn't turn as much.
When you're changing the varibles for draws and fades, I find the hardest thing to do is overcome the mental aspect of making a "normal" swing.

My driver is a different swing and I have a natural fade on the ball. Picked up an '09 Burner in July (it should be illegal), so I'm still kinda learning this club.

I use a strip of tape around the middle finger and thumb on my left hand at the first knuckle by the fingernail. Calusaus build up at the base of my fingers, but I sometimes put a strip there if I'm at the range. I've had my hands rip up a few times and it takes a few days for it to heel fully.

How do you find out how much grip pressure you have ? Or is the 7 to 4 just your own rating system. I know when I block 'em out to the right, my grip tightens up at impact. I think it was Hogan that said you want to hold the club as if you're holding a bird in your hands. I just feel like the club is going to go flying if I don't hang on to it. Grip pressure is something I've been fighting my entire life.

[MiniMoe]

for knock down shots, I put the ball back in my stance, choke down on the club, swing aggressively, but not a full on swing, and keep the follow through low. I am not necessarily playing to a distance, but I imagine how high I want to hit the shot and try to produce that trajectory. What club you choose to hit is the one that puts it on that trajectory and can go the distance you want. Sometimes a 7 iron won't go 140 even thought I can normally hit it 170. It is a lot of feel, so it takes time on the course. every time the wind kicks up, I am on the course trying different shots. I practice more on the course than I do on the range. It is playing conditions and with my ball.

I think the key is to have a good mental picture of the shot you want to hit, no matter what kind it is.

[enis750]

for knock down shots, I put the ball back in my stance, choke down on the club, swing aggressively, but not a full on swing, and keep the follow through low. I am not necessarily playing to a distance, but I imagine how high I want to hit the shot and try to produce that trajectory. What club you choose to hit is the one that puts it on that trajectory and can go the distance you want. Sometimes a 7 iron won't go 140 even thought I can normally hit it 170. It is a lot of feel, so it takes time on the course. every time the wind kicks up, I am on the course trying different shots. I practice more on the course than I do on the range. It is playing conditions and with my ball.

you know you make a great point here

i usually avoid the range when the wind is up i should get my a$$ out there and practice IN THE WIND ....because when its windy, I usually struggle