Lowering Ball Flight of Irons?

[Cheesehead42]

To start, I am 6'9'' and a 15hcp. My distance for my 5 iron is ~190. Swing speed with 5 Iron is around 100. Specs are +1.5" and +4*

 

Currently I have PX 6.0 is my Nike Pro Combos. I love the irons but I am not sold on the shafts. I tend to balloon the ball, especially on the long irons.

 

Last week I hit a 3 iron on a par 3 and my playing partner asked if it was a Lob Wedge or a 3 Iron because of the height. It really gets frustrating when playing in windy locations.

 

Are there recommendations for shafts that will lower my ball flight and avoid the ballooning effect?

[DoubleEagleAt12]

Yea open your setup and swing smoother so you don't spin it as much. Stay on your left side and on top of the ball, and pull with your left side hard thru the ball. Haha all jokes aside get sum dynamic gold shafts in there, do the 3 iron first to c if u like it. You'll hit it lower.

[tommy89]

Don't scoop it

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='Cheesehead42' timestamp='1354820254' post='6028093']
To start, I am 6'9'' and a 15hcp. My distance for my 5 iron is ~190. Swing speed with 5 Iron is around 100. Specs are +1.5" and +4*

Currently I have PX 6.0 is my Nike Pro Combos. I love the irons but I am not sold on the shafts. I tend to balloon the ball, especially on the long irons.

Last week I hit a 3 iron on a par 3 and my playing partner asked if it was a Lob Wedge or a 3 Iron because of the height. It really gets frustrating when playing in windy locations.

Are there recommendations for shafts that will lower my ball flight and avoid the ballooning effect?
[/quote]

You would be better off dropping the loft on your irons before making a shaft swap. Take them to a fitter, and have them kill the loft by a couple degrees. If you are really launching that high, a shaft swap isn't going to cure a swing fault.

[mickeyward]

Are your PX's flighted? it should say on the shaft band if so, and I'd say the majority of them are as most of us that live closer to sea level need a little help getting it up in the air with long irons.

[Cheesehead42]

Thanks guys. I am a sweeper (and occasional scooper). That might be the first starting point.

[kellygreen]

[quote name='Cheesehead42' timestamp='1354824217' post='6028423']
Thanks guys. I am a sweeper (and occasional scooper). That might be the first starting point.
[/quote]

Also consider.

1.Going to Dynamic Gold, C-taper or other shaft that is designed to lower the ballflight. PX is designed to give a more mid-/low flight.

2. An iron design with a higher COG. If you are playing the VR Pro Combos, the pocket cavity long irons are really designed to throw the ball up into the air. So you might not have as much of a problem with an iron design with the COG isn't so low and so far back away from the clubface.

[BallPincher]

[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354823441' post='6028359']
You would be better off dropping the loft on your irons before making a shaft swap. Take them to a fitter, and have them kill the loft by a couple degrees. If you are really launching that high, a shaft swap isn't going to cure a swing fault.
[/quote]

This is really bad advice. If someone hits the ball too high, changing the loft is not going to do anything other than change the distance (ie on the ground) from the player that the ball reaches the apex. The angle of the shaft (and the resultant dynamic loft) must change at impact to have an effect on the height of the shot. Cheesehead more than likely has a flip move/early release in his swing.

Cheesehead, shafts certainly aren't a horrible fit for your swing speed, although you could certainly go stiffer. A tour striker or just working on lag at impact at the driving range would be a great idea.

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354824595' post='6028453']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354823441' post='6028359']
You would be better off dropping the loft on your irons before making a shaft swap. Take them to a fitter, and have them kill the loft by a couple degrees. If you are really launching that high, a shaft swap isn't going to cure a swing fault.
[/quote]

This is really bad advice. If someone hits the ball too high, changing the loft is not going to do anything other than change the distance (ie on the ground) from the player that the ball reaches the apex. The angle of the shaft (and the resultant dynamic loft) must change at impact to have an effect on the height of the shot. Cheesehead more than likely has a flip move/early release in his swing.

Cheesehead, shafts certainly aren't a horrible fit for your swing speed, although you could certainly go stiffer. A tour striker or just working on lag at impact at the driving range would be a great idea.
[/quote]

Yeah, working on the swing is the best idea (which I think I mentioned), but between switching shafts and changing the loft - the loft is going to have the stronger effect. Sad, but true.

[BallPincher]

[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354824896' post='6028473']
[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354824595' post='6028453']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354823441' post='6028359']
You would be better off dropping the loft on your irons before making a shaft swap. Take them to a fitter, and have them kill the loft by a couple degrees. If you are really launching that high, a shaft swap isn't going to cure a swing fault.
[/quote]

This is really bad advice. If someone hits the ball too high, changing the loft is not going to do anything other than change the distance (ie on the ground) from the player that the ball reaches the apex. The angle of the shaft (and the resultant dynamic loft) must change at impact to have an effect on the height of the shot. Cheesehead more than likely has a flip move/early release in his swing.

Cheesehead, shafts certainly aren't a horrible fit for your swing speed, although you could certainly go stiffer. A tour striker or just working on lag at impact at the driving range would be a great idea.
[/quote]

Yeah, working on the swing is the best idea, but between switching shafts and changing the loft - the loft is going to have the stronger effect. Sad, but true.
[/quote]

I think you're right. Obviously the swing is to blame here, I'm guessing that at 6'9" OP is working against nature to some extent.
Probably best to grab some extra club and hit the shot with less spin and an easier swing. Stiffer/heavier shafts if your spin is off the charts.

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354825089' post='6028485']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354824896' post='6028473']
[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354824595' post='6028453']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354823441' post='6028359']
You would be better off dropping the loft on your irons before making a shaft swap. Take them to a fitter, and have them kill the loft by a couple degrees. If you are really launching that high, a shaft swap isn't going to cure a swing fault.
[/quote]

This is really bad advice. If someone hits the ball too high, changing the loft is not going to do anything other than change the distance (ie on the ground) from the player that the ball reaches the apex. The angle of the shaft (and the resultant dynamic loft) must change at impact to have an effect on the height of the shot. Cheesehead more than likely has a flip move/early release in his swing.

Cheesehead, shafts certainly aren't a horrible fit for your swing speed, although you could certainly go stiffer. A tour striker or just working on lag at impact at the driving range would be a great idea.
[/quote]

Yeah, working on the swing is the best idea, but between switching shafts and changing the loft - the loft is going to have the stronger effect. Sad, but true.
[/quote]

I think you're right. Obviously the swing is to blame here, I'm guessing that at 6'9" OP is working against nature to some extent.
Probably best to grab some extra club and hit the shot with less spin and an easier swing. Stiffer/heavier shafts if your spin is off the charts.
[/quote]

So which is it? One minute I am giving "really bad advice" and the next minute I am right? Make up your mind.

[ramradhakri]

Nothing wrong it hitting it high... unless you live in west texas or a place where it is windy all the time. I recall reading a couple of posts where wrxers were surprised to see how high the pro's hit their irons. I don't understand the fascination with hitting the ball low. I was in that camp, till I figured out it will not help me in lowering my score.

Having said that, knowing how to hit it low when you need to is a good skill to have.

[kellygreen]

[quote name='ATXgolfer ' timestamp='1354825651' post='6028539']
Nothing wrong it hitting it high... unless you live in west texas or a place where it is windy all the time. I recall reading a couple of posts where wrxers were surprised to see how high the pro's hit their irons. I don't understand the fascination with hitting the ball low. I was in that camp, till I figured out it will not help me in lowering my score.

Having said that, knowing how to hit it low when you need to is a good skill to have.
[/quote]

Also hitting the ball solidly is more important to control than hitting the ball low....

[BallPincher]

[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354825253' post='6028497']
[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354825089' post='6028485']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354824896' post='6028473']
[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354824595' post='6028453']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354823441' post='6028359']
You would be better off dropping the loft on your irons before making a shaft swap. Take them to a fitter, and have them kill the loft by a couple degrees. If you are really launching that high, a shaft swap isn't going to cure a swing fault.
[/quote]

This is really bad advice. If someone hits the ball too high, changing the loft is not going to do anything other than change the distance (ie on the ground) from the player that the ball reaches the apex. The angle of the shaft (and the resultant dynamic loft) must change at impact to have an effect on the height of the shot. Cheesehead more than likely has a flip move/early release in his swing.

Cheesehead, shafts certainly aren't a horrible fit for your swing speed, although you could certainly go stiffer. A tour striker or just working on lag at impact at the driving range would be a great idea.
[/quote]

Yeah, working on the swing is the best idea, but between switching shafts and changing the loft - the loft is going to have the stronger effect. Sad, but true.
[/quote]

I think you're right. Obviously the swing is to blame here, I'm guessing that at 6'9" OP is working against nature to some extent.
Probably best to grab some extra club and hit the shot with less spin and an easier swing. Stiffer/heavier shafts if your spin is off the charts.
[/quote]

So which is it? One minute I am giving "really bad advice" and the next minute I am right? Make up your mind.
[/quote]
Your second statement - that changing the loft would have a more noticeable effect than changing shafts - is what I agreed with.
Recommending changing the loft for really any problem was incorrect. However, recommending it to hit the ball lower (or higher for that matter) is absolutely not correct.
Pros hit every club in the bag the exact same height at apex, I believe it is about 80-90 feet.

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354825911' post='6028567']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354825253' post='6028497']
[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354825089' post='6028485']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354824896' post='6028473']
[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354824595' post='6028453']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354823441' post='6028359']
You would be better off dropping the loft on your irons before making a shaft swap. Take them to a fitter, and have them kill the loft by a couple degrees. If you are really launching that high, a shaft swap isn't going to cure a swing fault.
[/quote]

This is really bad advice. If someone hits the ball too high, changing the loft is not going to do anything other than change the distance (ie on the ground) from the player that the ball reaches the apex. The angle of the shaft (and the resultant dynamic loft) must change at impact to have an effect on the height of the shot. Cheesehead more than likely has a flip move/early release in his swing.

Cheesehead, shafts certainly aren't a horrible fit for your swing speed, although you could certainly go stiffer. A tour striker or just working on lag at impact at the driving range would be a great idea.
[/quote]

Yeah, working on the swing is the best idea, but between switching shafts and changing the loft - the loft is going to have the stronger effect. Sad, but true.
[/quote]

I think you're right. Obviously the swing is to blame here, I'm guessing that at 6'9" OP is working against nature to some extent.
Probably best to grab some extra club and hit the shot with less spin and an easier swing. Stiffer/heavier shafts if your spin is off the charts.
[/quote]

So which is it? One minute I am giving "really bad advice" and the next minute I am right? Make up your mind.
[/quote]
Your second statement - that changing the loft would have a more noticeable effect than changing shafts - is what I agreed with.
[b]Recommending changing the loft for really any problem was incorrect.[/b] However, recommending it to hit the ball lower (or higher for that matter) is absolutely not correct.
Pros hit every club in the bag the exact same height at apex, I believe it is about 80-90 feet.
[/quote]

What the hell are you talking about? I never said "change the loft for really any problem." I said that he would see a greater change in his flight if he bent the irons stronger in loft as opposed to swapping the shafts, [u]with the caveat[/u] that working on the swing would be the best option overall. Where is the breakdown in communication happening here?

[mogc60]

You are 6'9", that's the first problem. Being that tall just almost automatically results in a higher ball flight. Your irons are 1.5" over standard. This also adds to the height of the shot. I would suggest getting a lower flighted shaft in an x-flex to counter the extra length. The extra length of your irons makes the shaft a little softer and can result in that ballooning ball flight that is giving you fits.

[BallPincher]

[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354827413' post='6028701']
What the hell are you talking about? I never said "change the loft for really any problem." I said that he would see a greater change in his flight if he bent the irons stronger in loft as opposed to swapping the shafts, [u]with the caveat[/u] that working on the swing would be the best option overall. Where is the breakdown in communication happening here?
[/quote]
I don't think there's a breakdown in communication.

[quote name='mogc60' timestamp='1354827917' post='6028743']
You are 6'9", that's the first problem. Being that tall just almost automatically results in a higher ball flight. Your irons are 1.5" over standard. This also adds to the height of the shot. I would suggest getting a lower flighted shaft in an x-flex to counter the extra length. The extra length of your irons makes the shaft a little softer and can result in that ballooning ball flight that is giving you fits.
[/quote]
Agreed. Never played with someone that tall, but you're absolutely right that the taller people all hit the ball high, and also that his shafts probably don't CPM close to 6.0 (or whatever PX 6.0 are supposed to CPM to).

[Cheesehead42]

So it looks like there are several options in the order of recommendation:

1. Fix the swing to create more lag and get the hands out front
2. Change shafts to something with a stiffer tip
3. Adjust the loft
4. Cut 9" off of my knees to now be able to swing at a normal person's height.

Did I cover everything?

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='BallPincher' timestamp='1354828128' post='6028775']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1354827413' post='6028701']
What the hell are you talking about? I never said "change the loft for really any problem." I said that he would see a greater change in his flight if he bent the irons stronger in loft as opposed to swapping the shafts, [u]with the caveat[/u] that working on the swing would be the best option overall. Where is the breakdown in communication happening here?
[/quote]
I don't think there's a breakdown in communication.
[/quote]

You are putting words in my mouth, and then telling me I am wrong. You don't think there is an issue in communication going on here?

[mogc60]

[quote name='Cheesehead42' timestamp='1354828687' post='6028837']
So it looks like there are several options in the order of recommendation:

1. Fix the swing to create more lag and get the hands out front
2. Change shafts to something with a stiffer tip
3. Adjust the loft
4. Cut 9" off of my knees to now be able to swing at a normal person's height.

Did I cover everything?
[/quote]
Exactly....no just kidding. Based on your height and length of your irons you will probably never become a low ball hitter, but the stiffer shaft and possibly making the lofts a little stronger on your irons will get your effective loft at impact a little closer to that of someone with 9" shorter legs. This will give you a more consistent flight which is what I think you are looking for, not necessarily a low flight.

[Jc0]

[quote name='Cheesehead42' timestamp='1354820254' post='6028093']
To start, I am 6'9'' and a 15hcp. My distance for my 5 iron is ~190. Swing speed with 5 Iron is around 100. Specs are +1.5" and +4*

Currently I have PX 6.0 is my Nike Pro Combos. I love the irons but I am not sold on the shafts. I tend to balloon the ball, especially on the long irons.

Last week I hit a 3 iron on a par 3 and my playing partner asked if it was a Lob Wedge or a 3 Iron because of the height. It really gets frustrating when playing in windy locations.

Are there recommendations for shafts that will lower my ball flight and avoid the ballooning effect?
[/quote]

Is it just the pocket cavity irons you are balooning? I had a set of the pro combo for a while and noticed that the pocket cavity liked to spin a little more than the rest of the set and balloon sometimes. I hit the ball very high as well but it was a noticeable difference in trajectory in the pocket cavity compared to the standard CB.

I think this is a common thing to. If you look at the nike staffers, a lot of them who play the combos have the VR-S Forged for the long irons rather than the standard pocket cavity. It looks like the pocket cavity were just deigned with to much spin to play well.

[vman]

At 6`9" your arc is probably wide and you get a little steep with good clubhead speed.This is a combo for high ball flight and is a technical issue rather than one of equipment.Likleyhood is you are always going to hit it high,your options are to use Dynamic Gold X1`s,X7`s or 6.5 C-Tapers,get more on top of the ball through impact with the weight left and some forward shaft lean(study Trevino) or practise swinging on a side slope,ie ball above your feet,to shallow out your swing.

[Rosco1216]

Wow...some of the posters..

You say you're a sweeper so your AoA can't be TOO steep, even though you are 6'9", I don't have a clue what that does to you AoA though other than probably make it steep by nature.

Apart from swing changes..club head COG makes a big difference. Sounds like your pro combo's in the long irons have a low COG thus making you balloon more.

I can't hit 6.0's because I balloon and spin way too much as well. I play c-tapers S+. For me x100 are the highest launch and spin. PX 6.5's and c-taper s+ have much lower launch for me but the c-taper spins less.

Ball will also make some difference.

[tommy89]

Have you tried hitting a punch fade out of interest? It will give you the right feeling to hit the ball more solidly.


there's nothing wrong with hitting it high as has been said. I hit the highest draw i've ever seen but still carry further than most


You want to get solid contact first. Then play with shafts. Shafts won't make much difference compared to swinging properly.

[pencilwhipper]

to be honest the shaft isnt what causes the (extra) high ball flight.. i'm 6'3 needing +3* degree upright in my irons and i tend to hit all my irons very high.. i've switched shafts so many times,(ttdgs300 to project X 6.0 non flighted, to Black golds to KBS...) with every different set of shafts, i have noticed VERY little difference, except with dispersion that's about it.. my ball flights were all the same..

[mogc60]

The problem you have is the ballooning flight not the height of the shot. A shaft will not make a huge difference in the height of the shot, but it can lower the spin and make the flight more consistent. There are a thousand different bandaids that you could work on to try and lower your ball flight, but I would seek out a GOOD teacher to find out what move YOU could work on to get better results. Taking lessons on the internet is a bad idea. I honestly think a stiffer shaft in your irons will give you a better ball flight and a little work on your technique should get you where you want to be.

[Ri_Redneck]

[quote name='Cheesehead42' timestamp='1354820254' post='6028093']
To start, I am 6'9'' and a 15hcp. My distance for my 5 iron is ~190. Swing speed with 5 Iron is around 100. Specs are +1.5" and +4*

Currently I have PX 6.0 is my Nike Pro Combos. I love the irons but I am not sold on the shafts. I tend to balloon the ball, especially on the long irons.

Last week I hit a 3 iron on a par 3 and my playing partner asked if it was a Lob Wedge or a 3 Iron because of the height. It really gets frustrating when playing in windy locations.

Are there recommendations for shafts that will lower my ball flight and avoid the ballooning effect?
[/quote]

Hey Cheeshead! Lot of info here, but the honest truth is, you really need to learn how to hit a low shot when needed. I see people all the time wanting to lower their ball flight until they get to the course and can't hold a firm green. Having the ability to hit a nice high 3i that sits is a huge advantage. When your face with windy conditions, you just need to hit a "stinger" shot that stays low and rises at the end and sits. You can get this shot down in just a coupls of weeks work at the range. Move the ball back in your stance about 1" and swing the clubhead down through it. Make sure you follow-through low. You'll be surprised how much lower you can hit it.

BT

[ej002]

[quote name='mogc60' timestamp='1354897644' post='6033095']
The problem you have is the ballooning flight not the height of the shot. A shaft will not make a huge difference in the height of the shot, but it can lower the spin and make the flight more consistent. There are a thousand different bandaids that you could work on to try and lower your ball flight, but I would seek out a GOOD teacher to find out what move YOU could work on to get better results. Taking lessons on the internet is a bad idea. I honestly think a stiffer shaft in your irons will give you a better ball flight and a little work on your technique should get you where you want to be.
[/quote]

I agree.

I personally think if you are ballooning now with a scoopy swing and you start compressing it more, you will have the same ballooning problem with a more penatrating trajectory. It is a spin issue not a trajectory issue. JMO. (with that said, I never seen your swing). A reshaft, can definately knock some spin off. I think there will be an equipment issue either way.

[Cheesehead42]

Well, all things considered, it is cheaper to hit a few weeks at the range than throwing in a new set of shafts so I will start there.

Thanks for all of the advice. This is why I love this site!!

[DoubleEagleAt12]

[quote name='kellygreen' timestamp='1354825802' post='6028549']
[quote name='ATXgolfer ' timestamp='1354825651' post='6028539']
Nothing wrong it hitting it high... unless you live in west texas or a place where it is windy all the time. I recall reading a couple of posts where wrxers were surprised to see how high the pro's hit their irons. I don't understand the fascination with hitting the ball low. I was in that camp, till I figured out it will not help me in lowering my score.

Having said that, knowing how to hit it low when you need to is a good skill to have.
[/quote]

Also hitting the ball solidly is more important to control than hitting the ball low....
[/quote]

Dead on here. Trajectory is controlled by not over swinging and hitting the ball very solid. When I have wind in my face I always club down and choke up a little swing easy w a saw d off follow thru. I know,this sounds basic but so true. Hitting a 6 iron 170 is great or even hitting it 150 is good , doesn't f*****g matter whatever u can get the closes and control the spin and tragectory. Hitting it high is good, hitting it low is good, hitting it dead in the screws chewing up flag sticks all day great.