A guide to controlling ball-flight trajectories in golf

Control ball-flight trajectory includes understanding how and why the ball travels in a certain direction. These elements also explore how high or low a ball will travel after it has been hit. Elements related to ball trajectory include speed, club face positon, contact point and direction of the club head. These elements can be tweaked as you practice your technique.

How Clubface Position and Head Direction Make a Difference

The direction of the clubface and head makes a difference in how the ball moves. The speed of the head helps the ball push forward but creates a unique impact. This is how the ball gets its angle when it is in flight. If your clubface direction is not correct this is what happens when the ball goes into a direction you did not intend for it to fly. You can do practice drills to help you understand how your clubface and head work together. One way includes using a stick in the ground away from your ball. The stick is an alignment element that helps you understand the direction your face and head go when you hit the ball.

The direction of your club head is important because it helps determine the speed at which the ball flies. This element affects ball curving based on how you swung at impact. The path you swing or plane you follow sets the flight for the ball. Sometimes the ball can curve in the opposite direction even on a straight plane. Think about when a football is kicked or when a tennis ball is hit. If the path is toward the right the ball may curve in the other direction and vice versa.

What You Should Know about Contact Point and Speed

If the ball is flying at a faster speed this will make it rotate or spin quicker. This is something to think about when you want the ball to travel higher in the air. If you try to increase your speed it may be difficult to get your ball to go straight. Having control within your swing can help. You can do drills that include practice swings. When you swing your shots may vary depending on how much power you put in behind it. As this varies you will notice a difference in control and distance. Where you hit the ball or make point of impact should be reviewed. You can mark the ball with a whiteboard marker to get an idea of where your club hits the ball.