trajectory

[twoton]

About 30-some years ago, my dad took me to the driving range for the first and only time.  He had played golf in the 1950s but quit when he and my mom got married.

I don't remember how well he hit the ball, but I do remember how confounded he was at how ridiculously inept I was.  He really was shocked.

Years later, when I started playing golf, he would ask, "Doesn't it feel good when you really get a hold of one?  When it goes out like a line drive then seems to catch some air and float way up?"

And I would reply, "Uh....yeah....I, uh....I never hit it like that."

And he'd say, "You know, when it goes out straight then floats up?"

"It doesn't do that when I hit it."

"Oh."

So after all these years of wondering, does that really happen to a well-hit ball?  Because if I do hit one solidly, it pretty much rainbows out, either high or less high, but it's an arc.  The ball never line drives then floats.  And I've never really seen any of my playing partners hit one like that.  (of course, the best partner I've had had a handicap of 18).

Is that because a) I don't hit it as well as my dad, b) ball coverings have changed over the past 60 years, c) changes from persimmon to titanium alloys altered the flight of the ball, d) my dad was delusional?

I ask now because last night at the driving range one I hit almost looked like it wanted to do the line-drive-float routine.

[saevel25]

The line drive, and floats up is a ball struck with alot of backspin. My trajectory is usually one were the ball looks like it rises up to its apex in a straight line (doesn't go low, then rides up like a rollercoaster's first hill), then the ball just looks like it stays at the apex for a good amount of time.

This pretty much an illusion because my eyes have a certain focal length for distance, and focusing on the ball causes it to look like it stays in one place then drops out of the sky. Its just the drop is subtle enough were my eyes can't pick it up because the ball is also moving further away. The ball can't hover at an apex.

Though i can tell when i hit a high spinning pitch shot, the ball is lower trajectory, but it looks like it does stay at the same height for a long time. But its still not a low to high riser (ballooning shot).

I wouldn't worry to much about trajectory right now. Just get solid contact, and if your having trouble with trajectory later. You can look into your equipment to fine tune it. but a ballooning shot isn't an optimal trajectory.

[David in FL]

That type of shot was much more prevalent back in your dad's day, when we were all playing high-spin balata balls.  You seldom see a shot that balloons like that any more.....thankfully.

[Jeremie Boop]

With my current irons, no I don't see this shot. With my old irons that shot meant I hit the ball first and it was going to hit and spin. If you use game improvement irons, especially the newer ones they get the ball up very fast. Personally, I don't like this ball flight, but it does make it easier to get over trees and such so it has it's advantages.

[rehmwa]

too much spin

[misty_mountainhop]

Function of (old fashioned) low(ish) launch and high spin off low lofted clubs. As Dave says above, balata balls had a lot to do with it a while back. Modern urethane balls can still spin a lot but design seems to have reduced the spin off, say, a driver but not sacrificed it off wedges. The quid pro quo is it's often hard to hit good long irons with modern balls as it's more difficult to generate the spin needed to get them up in the air and keep them there.

[Jeremie Boop]

Originally Posted by misty_mountainhop

Function of (old fashioned) low(ish) launch and high spin off low lofted clubs. As Dave says above, balata balls had a lot to do with it a while back. Modern urethane balls can still spin a lot but design seems to have reduced the spin off, say, a driver but not sacrificed it off wedges. The quid pro quo is it's often hard to hit good long irons with modern balls as it's more difficult to generate the spin needed to get them up in the air and keep them there.

I think this has been a big reason for hybrids coming about.

[misty_mountainhop]

I think this has been a big reason for hybrids coming about.

Yeah. Trouble is, I hate the typical hybrids! Can't get used to their look at address at all.

[Jeremie Boop]

Originally Posted by misty_mountainhop

Yeah. Trouble is, I hate the typical hybrids! Can't get used to their look at address at all.

Same here, I can't hit them at all. I want to swing like a fw wood but they need swung like an iron. I can't reconcile that in my head for some reason.

[nowayjoze]

I only notice that with my 3 wood.

[saevel25]

Hybrids are probably the best for most players. They are just fantastic clubs. The only reason i put them above longer irons is because i am not looking for pin point accuracy with a long iron. Hybrids are just fantastic out of the rough. They glide through the rough, and its easier to get more distance than it is with a longer iron.

[Jakester23]

I hate hybrids also. I spent $200 on a rbz hybrid and hit it like shit for almost a year. I ended up giving it to my buddy and buying a 3 iron that matches my g15's. I wish I would have got the 3 iron 1st I could have saved $125.

[rehmwa]

Just discovered hybrids.  I really like mine a ton.  Took out my longest iron and haven't looked back.

Topic:  I find a good ballooning shot really only nice when I have a LONG iron to an elevated green.  I got lucky with my 5i on a Par 5 second shot once when it did exactly that.  It touched down so very soft right on the green.  (Pretty sure I not only missed the eagle, but 3 putted on that one....)