It's Good for Your Game

How to control

your trajectory

The trajectory of your golf shot is controlled by three factors: swing speed, ball position and the function of the trail arm (the right one for right-handed golfers). The farther forward (toward the front foot) you position the ball in your stance, the higher you will hit the shot. The farther back, the lower and more rolling the shot will be. As your swing speed increases, you hit the ball higher.

To hit a high, soft flop shot, you must position the ball forward in your stance, using slower arm speed. Moving the ball forward opens your shoulders, causing the path of the swing to be out-to-in. Because the shoulders are aligned to the left of target (an open position), the clubface must also be open, increasing the loft of the club. In addition, a forward ball position tilts the shaft away from the target, further increasing loft.

All of these adjustments ultimately produce high, soft shots. Just reverse everything when you move the ball back. To hit normal shots, the ball is positioned in the center of your stance, and to produce low, running shots, you move the ball back.

A factor that is rarely mentioned is the role of the trail elbow, yet it is very important. The duty of the right arm is to control the height of the shot. For a high, soft shot, the right arm folds during the takeaway, further opening the clubface. For a low shot, the right arm doesn't fold.

If the area you need to fly the ball over is less than the amount of green you have to work with, then the shot should be more of a running shot. If the area you need to fly the ball over is greater than the amount of green you have to work with, then the shot will need to be more lofted.

Insider takeaway: Golf is a game of adjustments and it's up to you to practice the techniques necessary to make the correct ones.

Tomasi writes for Universal UClick.