Every golfer must establish a consistent shot shape to play the game effectively. While you might be working on perfecting a power draw, I might just be striving to get the ball moving forward. At its core, though, the goal is the same: creating a reliable shot. As you gain experience and start breaking 80, it becomes increasingly evident that controlling ball flight is the key to success. Beginners often aim to hit the ball as high as possible, while lower-handicap players deliberately plan to keep their shots low. But why is that? It all boils down to controlling your shot shape by managing the spin you generate.
"Flight your wedges."
This phrase might sound unfamiliar now, but once you try it, golf could become a more creative and enjoyable experience for you. The concept is simple: lower your spin rate. Every airborne shot carries backspin, and the more revolutions per minute of backspin, the higher the ball flies. However, this also makes the ball more susceptible to being affected by the wind and spinning off target. By reducing your spin rate, you achieve a steadier, wind-resistant ball flight. How? By lowering your clubhead speed. Simplify your swing—shorten it, do less, and treat it more like a pitch. Remember, no professional golfer swings as hard as possible for most shots.
Imagine you’re 120 yards from the flag, and your pitching wedge typically covers that distance with solid contact. Most golfers—probably 90 percent—would instinctively grab the pitching wedge and hope for the best. Now, let’s add a light breeze blowing left to right for some variety. You swing with the pitching wedge, and while it’s a solid shot, it flies high into the air with around 9,000 RPMs of backspin. The wind amplifies the spin, sending the ball even higher and drifting off to the right. The result? You’re short and right of the target, probably with a tricky chip shot ahead.
Now, rewind. Instead of the pitching wedge, you pick up an 8-iron, which you normally hit 140 yards. This time, you’re not going for a full shot—you treat it like a pitch. The 8-iron lowers your ball flight and naturally reduces spin, and a shorter swing further decreases spin. The result? A precise shot that stays on target, lands softly, bounces forward, and stops on the green.
The takeaway? Flight your shots into the green. Control your ball flight. Enjoy the game more.
