Day 3: Hitting High Shots

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How to hit the golf ball high to get over trees and get to tucked pins.


Okay, so day one and two, we covered getting the release and then actually holding the release off to hit the ball low.

And now we want to do the opposite.

We want to hit the ball high.

When does this come in handy?

You hit it behind a tree.

You need to get the ball up in the air or you're going to a really, really tucked pin like you see on the PGA Tour these days and your landing area is only this big and you're coming in with a five iron.

Well, how are you going to get that five iron to stop?

This is how you start learning how to let the club release to hit the ball high.

Now, when I did the video yesterday and I showed you how to hit the ball low, you were holding the release off and manipulating and bowing your wrist extra in order to get an exaggeratedly low shot.

When you go to hit the ball high, it's a lot easier because you're actually just letting the club release a little bit more than usual.

Yesterday, I was teaching you how to hold it off to get control of that club face.

Today, what we want to do is start letting the club face release.

Now, depending on the shot shape that you're wanting to hit will depend on what the club face release looks on this side of the ball.

So, in this case, this would be a high shot, maybe a little bit to the right.

I can still release it and hit a draw, but you'll notice as I release the club a lot, instead of being like this like it was yesterday where my wrist was on the first day, my wrist was still a little bowed in the first day's drills.

Now, I'm going to let my wrist rehinge and you'll notice in a full release position, the club face is towed up instead of towed in and all the difference is, is whether or not I let my wrist rehinge on the other side.

What I'm trying to do when I hit the ball high is I'm letting the club face release and the wrist be into a neutral position.

And then rehinge, because that's going to still allow the club face to continue to rotate to square up.

So, The good thing is, this one's really easy because most of you guys are already phenomenal at this.

Because you tend to flip the club a little bit too much with your right hand.

I want you to learn how to do it with the control hand first before you put that right hand back on there.

So, start allowing the club face to release and rehinge and come around to a towed up position.

That will give you a straight shot that will still be very high.

So, now yesterday I was trying to get the ball to roll literally along the ground.

Today I'm going to do the opposite.

Instead of hitting it under your dog, we're going to hit it over the dog.

So, now we want to allow that club face to release, our wrist to start to rehinge, but at first don't try and flip it.

Don't use your thumb to push the shaft.

I want you to use the momentum of the swinging club head to release it.

So, let's get a feel for that.

My wrist is nice and soft, club face released.

Nice and soft, club face released.

As I step up to hit a shot, club face released, ball went up in the air.

So, that one went this high, but it only went 20 yards.

Start working on that to get the feel of how your wrist has to be soft versus a little bit firmer.

When you're holding off the release and start getting the ball to go more online.

You'll find the balance where, at first, when you're starting to let this release, you may find that you hit it out to the right a little bit too much.

You're just going to find the balance between letting this wrist rehinge and letting the club release back to the left, and you'll have it down no problem.

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farrell
I am attempting to submit two videos (both are less than 30 seconds). It has been more than a year since I have submitted videos so I need help. One is IMG_5199.MOV (Driver face on) and the other is IMG_5196-2(Driver down the line). Please help me relearn the technique to submit videos.
September 3, 2017
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Chuck
Follow the instructions under the Swing Review section.
September 5, 2017
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farrell
The videos are not playing consistently. They go for a few seconds or minutes and then pause without me hitting the pause button. I haven't found any of them to play thru to the end. HELP!
August 31, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Farrell. We haven't had any reports to Tech Support about any issues. I would check a few things. If this doesn't correct the issue. Please report back. 1) Using Chrome as your browser and up to date, 2) Internet Speed is Sufficient, and 3) Log Out and Clear Cache/History.
August 31, 2017
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Chuck
As I mentioned, ball position can change very slightly. As for shaft lean, we're only talking a few degrees from normal impact.
August 24, 2017
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Todd
What about ball position for hitting the high shot vs the low one?
August 24, 2017
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Chuck
Very slight change, 1/2-1 ball width.
August 24, 2017
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Stephen
Can I use my wife instead of the dog?
August 23, 2017
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Chuck
Probably best to wait until she's an "ex-wife" before attempting that one, but I get it, save the dog lol
August 24, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lance. When you start changing those dynamics too much it affects how the body moves. Now, your feet would be open and left of target (which can inhibit proper rotation). The club face is open aiming right of target (85% of initial ball fight is club face and What happens if you don't get it right back to said position?). Then, the swing path is manipulated left of target. So, you have the feet left, club right and try to feel more of a come over the top move. Too many variables and the ball more than likely isn't going to start on the intended path without lost of timing and practice. We at least want the ball having the chance to start going towards the target so you don't play the ball starting way off line and banking on a perfect strike.
April 27, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lance. Not necessarily. You don't want to start aiming the lead hip weigh transfer different directions. More swinging at pace like Day 1. First, get a subtle feel for how to alter path. Slight over shallowing or slight steepening. Then, 85% of ball flight is controlled by face. Control the lead wrist. You rarely have to alter much other than the club face. Just like Chuck mentions in the How to Hit the Driver Low.
June 24, 2016
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Lance
Thanks Craig. But what type of movement with my body enables me to slightly shallow or steepen? Back to the target longer or shorter than normal??? Just don't want to start goofing with the fundamentals and get away from rst.
June 24, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lance. Exactly. Holding the back to the target longer will help you shallow more and swing in-->out. Conversely, letting the shoulders rotate a little sooner coming down and pulling the lead arm steeper (Kinda like - Trace the Plane Line) with a held off face to go more Out-->in.
June 24, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Alex. It takes practice to gauge the amount of fade (just like a bunker shot for speed and amount of sand). The problem occurs because the old ball flight rules were proved incorrect. Face orientation determines 85% of initial ball flight. Working through RST you should become very lead side arm/hand dominant. With practice you will be able to judge better than you think. Changing the body lines and face can work. But, you bring the starting path and line too far off target which can bring other problems out on the course.
May 21, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Djamil. If I remember correctly you've typically had a steeper swing with a loss of angle. Playing a fade is much easier because it allows you to hold on to the face more and feels as though you have better control. I wouldn't give up on the straight shot or draw just yet. Because more of the characteristics you are looking for in your swing come from that type of shot pattern.
January 13, 2016
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Djamil
Hello Craig, Yesterday i tried to work on draw, i don't give up you see . Before i go to the range i have rewatch some videos and i think i have understand a lot of things and i have succeed a lot og good shots with draw. The most important thing i have feel is that in the backswing i need to keed my wrist flat, when i do that i can have a better release and be able to add draw. The second thing is trying to make a good weight shift (Jason in my review says i should work on very carrefully) instead of spin at the top. i am happy to see the result, so thank you for your help.
January 15, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
No problem. Flat lead wrist and good weight shift are key for good plane with a draw. Keep at it!
January 15, 2016
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Djamil
I will try. I have question if a video explains the big reason why a ball has a trajectory or another... Sometimes my ball start in the left and curve in the left. I think it's my path is like overthetop, i cut the target line. And my face is close ? If i know the différent trajectory it could help me
January 15, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Djamil. Yes, that would be a little over the top with a shut face.
January 15, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Austin. The backswing will stay mostly the same depending on the severity you have to curve it.
August 24, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello David. The goal is a left to right shot. But, you don't want to limit the ability to hit a quality shot. Lets take hitting a fade into the green with the open stance approach. If you line up left of the green and swing left. If you accidentally square up the face you won't hit the green. You would have to hit it perfectly with an open face to hit the green. If you start at the target the ball starts left of where you want it to go and then fades back in. Higher percentage for better result with miss and correct strike.
July 30, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Evan. Ball flight is 85% determined by clubface and the rest by path. So, a slight in to out with the hold off on the release will produce the fade. Chuck's version is just another way to hit a fade without worrying too much about the path because face angle remains the most important factor. A baby high fade that would typically start straight would be Chuck's. This is for the true left to right shot.
July 16, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Stuart. When you start changing all your lines then you bring in a bigger dispersion. 85% of ball flight is determined by club face. When you change the stance. Now, the remainder will tend to start the ball more off line thus requiring more manipulation to try and draw/fade it back on target.
July 8, 2015
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Stuart
Thanks
July 8, 2015
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R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Robert, If you release the club properly, you'll hit the ball straight. Also, holding off the release for hitting a fade or slice doesn't mean that you don't release the club, you just release the club a little later so that the club face is open when it gets to the ball. R.J.
November 7, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Karr. I will pass on the good word. Sorry to hear about the window. Nevertheless, happy Clay's program is getting you excited about your game.
July 16, 2014
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