How to Hit the Golf Ball Higher

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Swing Mechanics & Fundamentals

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Quick Answer

• Focus on an upward swing path through impact.
• Position the ball forward in your stance, especially with your driver.
• Consider using lower compression golf balls.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who find their shots aren’t carrying as far as they’d like.
• Players looking to maximize distance and control with their longer clubs.

What to Check First

• Your Club’s Loft: Different clubs have different loft angles. Drivers have less loft than irons, designed for distance. If you’re struggling to get height, ensure your club’s loft is appropriate for your game. Check the manual or manufacturer’s specs if you’re unsure about your club’s loft.
• Golf Ball Compression: This is a big one. Golf balls are rated on a compression scale. Lower compression balls (typically 70-80) are designed to deform more easily, leading to a higher launch angle, especially for golfers with moderate to slower swing speeds. Higher compression balls (90+) require more speed to maximize their performance.
• Ball Position at Address: Where you place the ball relative to your body is crucial for controlling your swing path at impact. Too far back, and you’ll likely hit down on it. Too far forward, and you might miss it entirely.
• Your Grip: How you hold the club affects everything. A death grip can restrict your wrists, which are key to generating speed and a proper release.

Step-by-Step Plan to Hit the Golf Ball Higher

Getting that ball up in the air isn’t rocket science, but it does take a bit of finesse. Here’s how to dial it in.

1. Adjust Ball Position: This is your first move. For longer clubs like your driver and hybrids, you want the ball positioned a little further forward in your stance.

• What to look for: When you set up to your driver, the ball should be roughly aligned with the inside of your lead heel. For fairway woods and hybrids, it can be slightly back from that, but still forward of the center of your stance.
• Mistake to avoid: Placing the ball too far back in your stance will force you to hit down on it, killing your launch angle and forcing the ball to stay low.

2. Modify Swing Plane: This is where you focus on how you swing. Instead of thinking about chopping down at the ball, aim to swing up through it.

• What to look for: Imagine your club is on an upward arc as it approaches and passes through the ball. You want to make contact with the ball on the ascending part of your swing. This is especially important with the driver.
• Mistake to avoid: Swinging down too steeply on the ball, often called “hitting down” or “steep attack angle,” is a surefire way to produce low, spinning shots that don’t carry far.

3. Open the Clubface Slightly: This sounds counterintuitive, but a slightly open clubface at address can help.

• What to look for: When you address the ball, the clubface should appear just a hair open, meaning the toe of the club is slightly ahead of the heel. This encourages the clubface to square up or even close slightly through impact, promoting a higher, straighter flight.
• Mistake to avoid: Overdoing this can lead to a significant slice. You’re looking for a subtle adjustment, not a drastic change. If you’re already fighting a slice, you might want to skip this step or consult a pro.

4. Tee It High (for Drivers): This goes hand-in-hand with ball position and swing plane.

• What to look for: When setting up to your driver, you want about half the ball to be visible above the crown of the club. This encourages you to hit up on the ball.
• Mistake to avoid: Teeing the ball too low will make it much harder to achieve an upward swing path and get the ball airborne.

5. Ensure Proper Weight Transfer: Your body mechanics play a huge role.

• What to look for: As you swing, you want to shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot. This helps you rotate through the shot and maintain an upward swing path.
• Mistake to avoid: Staying on your back foot throughout the swing will limit your body’s rotation and can lead to a steep, downward swing.

6. Relax Your Grip: A tight grip kills speed and flexibility.

• What to look for: Your grip should feel firm but not tense. Imagine holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing it out. Your wrists should feel free to hinge and unhinge.
• Mistake to avoid: A death grip restricts wrist action, which is crucial for generating clubhead speed and a good release through impact. This lack of speed can prevent the ball from launching high.

How to Hit Golf Ball Higher with the Right Gear

Beyond your swing, the equipment you choose can significantly impact your ball flight. Understanding how to leverage your gear is key to figuring out how to hit the golf ball higher.

Common Mistakes

• Swinging Too Steeply — This is probably the most common culprit. When you swing down hard on the ball, it forces it into the ground, resulting in low shots with excessive spin that die quickly.
• Why it matters: High spin and a steep attack angle kill lift and distance.
• Fix: Focus on an upward swing path through impact. Visualize swinging up at the ball, especially with your driver. Practice drills that encourage this, like placing a tee a few inches behind the ball and trying to sweep it away on your downswing.

• Gripping Too Tightly — A death grip is a killer for clubhead speed and proper release. It restricts your wrists, preventing them from hinging and unhinging naturally.
• Why it matters: Restricted wrists mean less clubhead speed and a weaker impact, both of which contribute to lower launch.
• Fix: Consciously relax your grip pressure. It should feel firm enough to control the club, but not so tight that your hands and forearms feel strained. Imagine holding a baby bird – you want to hold it securely, but not crush it.

• Incorrect Ball Position — This is a foundational issue. If the ball is too far back or too far forward, your swing path and impact point will be compromised.
• Why it matters: Placing the ball too far back often leads to hitting down on it, while placing it too far forward can lead to mishitting or a poor swing path.
• Fix: For drivers, position the ball off the inside of your lead heel. For irons, it’s generally more centered, moving slightly forward for longer irons and slightly back for shorter irons. Experiment to find what works best for your swing.

• Not Using Enough Loft — Some golfers try to “help” the ball up with their hands, but the loft built into the club is your friend.
• Why it matters: Clubs with insufficient loft (like a driver with too little loft for your swing speed) will naturally produce lower trajectories.
• Fix: Ensure you’re using clubs with appropriate loft for your swing speed and desired ball flight. If you consistently hit the ball low with your driver, consider a model with more loft (e.g., 10.5 or 12 degrees instead of 9.5).

• Trying to “Scoop” the Ball — Many golfers try to lift the ball into the air with their wrists or by cupping their lead wrist. This is a recipe for disaster.
• Why it matters: Scooping leads to inconsistent contact, often thin shots, and a loss of power. It also disrupts the natural lag and release of the club.
• Fix: Trust the loft of the club and your upward swing path. Focus on a smooth, full release through the ball, allowing the clubface to do the work.

• Using the Wrong Golf Ball — As mentioned, compression matters.
• Why it matters: A high-compression ball requires a fast swing speed to compress properly. If your swing speed isn’t high enough, you won’t get the optimal launch and distance.
• Fix: Try using lower compression golf balls (check the packaging for ratings like 70, 80, or 90). These are designed to provide more lift and distance for golfers with moderate swing speeds.

FAQ

• What is the optimal tee height for hitting a golf ball higher with a driver?

For drivers, you want to tee the ball up so that approximately half of the ball is above the crown of the club at address. This encourages you to make contact on the upswing, promoting a higher launch angle.

• How does golf ball compression affect launch angle?

Golf ball compression refers to how much the ball deforms upon impact. Lower compression golf balls deform more easily, requiring less swing speed to maximize their energy transfer. This generally results in a higher launch angle and greater distance, especially for golfers with moderate to slower swing speeds. Higher compression balls need faster swings to achieve optimal performance.

• Can changing my grip help me hit the ball higher?

Yes, a relaxed grip is crucial. A tight grip restricts your wrists, hindering their ability to hinge and unhinge properly during the swing. This limits clubhead speed and the ability to release the club through impact, all of which contribute to a lower launch. A slightly more neutral or even slightly open clubface at address, which can be influenced by grip, also promotes a higher trajectory.

• What if I have a fast swing speed and still hit it low?

If you have a fast swing speed but still struggle with low shots, you’re likely making one of a few common mistakes. The most probable is a steep downswing or hitting down too much on the ball. Focus on maintaining an upward swing path through impact. Another possibility is that your driver’s loft is too low for your swing characteristics, or you’re not utilizing the loft of your other clubs effectively.

• Does the type of club matter for hitting the ball higher?

Absolutely. Clubs are designed with different lofts to achieve different ball flights. Drivers have the least loft (typically 8-12 degrees) and are designed for maximum distance, which requires a higher launch. Fairway woods and hybrids have more loft than drivers but less than irons. Irons generally have more loft as the number increases (e.g., a 9-iron has more loft than a 7-iron), designed for higher trajectories and control. If you need height, ensure you’re using clubs with sufficient loft.

• How can I practice hitting the ball higher without going to the driving range?

You can practice at home or in your backyard (if you have the space and safety measures). Try using alignment sticks to help visualize your swing path. You can also practice your setup and grip, focusing on the ball position and a relaxed grip. For swing plane, imagine swinging a hula hoop around your body to feel a more circular, upward motion. Using impact bags can also help you feel the sensation of hitting up on the ball.

Sources:

• How to Hit The Golf Ball Higher: Step-by-Step Guide [1]