High shots
Common High Shots Mistakes and Simple Fixes
Avoid the scoops, thin strikes, and ballooning misses that keep high shots from flying the way you pictured.
Mistake: trying to lift the ball
The classic high-shot error is hanging back and flicking the hands. It feels helpful, but it usually produces thin contact or a shot that floats weakly and falls short. The fix is to let the club’s loft work while your body keeps turning.
Feel your shirt buttons move through the ball with the clubhead, not stop behind it.
Mistake: choosing too little loft
If the shot calls for a soft landing, don’t force a 9-iron to behave like a wedge. Take the club that already wants to fly high, then make a confident swing.
| Situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Short carry over bunker | Sand wedge or lob wedge |
| Firm green from 130 yards | Smooth higher-lofted iron if distance allows |
| Wind into your face | Consider a lower flight instead |
Mistake: quitting through impact
Golfers often slow down because they’re afraid of hitting the ball too far. That kills spin and contact. For a high wedge, make a shorter backswing if needed, but keep acceleration through the strike.
Shorter swing, full finish is usually better than long backswing, nervous hit.
Practice fix
Place a towel or headcover a few yards in front of you and try to fly wedges over it while landing them on a towel-sized target. Start with half swings. When the ball launches cleanly, lengthen the motion.
Quick recap
Most high-shot mistakes come from helping too much. Choose enough loft, keep turning, and let speed carry the ball upward.