[c-cialis]

I read about people re-shafting their irons and drivers for a more "piercing" flight, or a "higher" flight so I ask...
Is this a very subjective definition that totally depends on your climate/weather conditions?
I've experienced how high winds can destroy yardage with high flying shots, but is one really better than the other when conditions are calm?

My clubs all seem to make the ball climb like a home sick angel. I hit a perfectly clean GW shot once, and my friend thought I had hit the ball twice because of how hard it climbed up. When I hit my driver properly, it seems to climb more than what I think driver shot should.

What's your take?

[Aluback]

Maybe try a stiffer flex?

[masteryxisman]

To me it is based on optimal numbers for my game and ONLY on optimal numbers. I dont change equipment unless I see better numbers (or reviewing clubs) and I look for the ideal numbers for my swing. The launch monitor has changed my way of thinking and has really made me a better golfer overall when it comes to picking what is right for my game.

[spamkillerf]

a high ball flight can be good as long as it doesn't rob one of distance. a low, or bore'ing, ball flight can give one no chance of holding firmer greens. i also think that the equipment one plays has a ton to do with it. that's why getting fit for a driver and other clubs is so important. there is such a thing as "spinny" drivers, ie, drivers that help golfers impart more spin on the ball. more backspin helps get a ball up in the air for amateur golfers. a spinny driver and i do not get along. i hit a high ball, and am pretty sure it has to do with the swing. if i play a shaft that's too weak for me, i hit it too high and lose distance.

[c-cialis]

Ok, but objectively...
JB you say launch monitor - fine, we have those at Golf Town. What do you look for in those? Are there goldilock numbers that people aim for?

Subjectively...
I know my clubs are meant to get the ball in the air as hard and as fast as possible - and they do so beautifully! When I clip a nice clean 7-iron shot I've carried 160-170 and almost jumped for joy haha.
In a hypothetic world where a ball would travel the same amount of distance horizontally no matter how high (or low) the ball goes, what is ideal?

[masteryxisman]

Ok, but objectively...
JB you say launch monitor - fine, we have those at Golf Town. What do you look for in those? Are there goldilock numbers that people aim for?

Subjectively...
I know my clubs are meant to get the ball in the air as hard and as fast as possible - and they do so beautifully! When I clip a nice clean 7-iron shot I've carried 160-170 and almost jumped for joy haha.
In a hypothetic world where a ball would travel the same amount of distance horizontally no matter how high (or low) the ball goes, what is ideal?

Each person will want numbers based on their own swing. While some believe there are hard and fast rules on launch conditions, the truth is it will depend a lot on swing speed, swing type, and other factors.

[Beriilosal]

I think a higher flight is easier to stop on the green and is best for american style golf. But in the UK with all the wind and the roll up fairways, a lower flight is prefered. So, it does depend on the course and conditions, you answered your own question! Hurray!

[hrthwhr]

JB you say launch monitor - fine, we have those at Golf Town. What do you look for in those? Are there goldilock numbers that people aim for?
Be careful with the GT monitors Ratfink, they are very often way off on their calibration points or over estimate the distance the shot went by a long way. Somehow I gain 30 yards everytime I hit one of those monitors over course conditions. Something in the AC maybe...

[c-cialis]

Be careful with the GT monitors Ratfink, they are very often way off on their calibration points or over estimate the distance the shot went by a long way. Somehow I gain 30 yards everytime I hit one of those monitors over course conditions. Something in the AC maybe...

HAHA oh good! I'm glad I"m not the only one. However, it depends on my point of reference.
When I was taking lessons in their swing cage, I could rifle off 150 yards with a 7 iron and feel pretty good about myself. Then I'd go to the range and I'd struggle to make 130 normally, but then rifle off one to the 150 markers. And then, I could be 20 yards short of the 150 yard marker on a course, and rifle off a shot right onto the green making a 170 yard shot. So I don't know which is wrong.
I know the balls/markers at my local driving range suck because my friend can barely get past 250 yards with his driver, yet on course we've clocked him at 310 when a random 4th had a laser range finder.

[Fegemiembendy]

Be careful with the GT monitors Ratfink, they are very often way off on their calibration points or over estimate the distance the shot went by a long way. Somehow I gain 30 yards everytime I hit one of those monitors over course conditions. Something in the AC maybe...

Some of the launch monitors in stores are "boosted" for increased distance. It's extremely easy to change the settings. It's a good, but deceptive practice employed by some. If you come in and demo a club and your distance is higher on every club you hit, it goes a long way to wanting to buy those clubs.

[hrthwhr]

Ratfink: Agreed on the range balls. I have a hard time doing squat with those but get pretty good distance on the course. I lose a good 20% of the distance at the local range.

The ones in their training bay's are usually set up "right". Most of the teaching pro's for GT don't actually work for them. They're independant CPGA's and won't stand for the typical selling malarky (something I greatly appriciate). I always try to get the lesson bay if I want to demo a club to get accurate readings.

Going back to the trajectory, I like a mid flight myself. A high flight tends to lose too much distance while a low launch means I have problems with uphill holes.

Biggsy:
I understand why they do it but it doesn't make me any happier about it. Comes off as disingenuous which makes me want to buy things anywhere but there. Or did until I got to use the lesson testing bay.

[Trientoriciom]

It's not really a matter of high or low for me as long as it's piercing. I think if you hit the ball cleanly with any sort of power/compression, you should get a ball flight that shoots out. Numerically, I think you can quantify it with your ball velocity versus your swing speed. High or low doesn't really matter. You can easily control that or you can change your equipment to do it for you. The quality of the strike to cause it to fly out fast is what makes something a quality strike for me.

Personal pet peeve is it irks me a little when I mishit a shot and my 7 iron flies 150 to the front of the green instead of 170 to the back and someone goes "nice shot". I mean you can see from how slow the thing flies that it was a crappy shot and the only thing that saved me was my irons being forgiving. (Part of why I finally switched away from using blades)

[hs6KnlcW]

a high ball flight can be good as long as it doesn't rob one of distance. a low, or bore'ing, ball flight can give one no chance of holding firmer greens.

I respectfully disagree. I think that trajectory is different for different clubs. This is how it works for my game. From my handicap you can tell I'm no expert so take what I saw with a grain of salt.

Driver: The higher the trajectory, the more spin. But if it is hit pure you can get more carry, (for us average guys at least, Rickie Fowler plays a 7.5* driver I think and he hits it a mile)

Irons: The lower the trajectory the more spin, with little difference in distance. With approach shots low balls will bite greens and hold where as high shots will take a couple of bounces and roll out.

Wedges: Again, the lower the trajectory the more spin. Obviously all wedge shots will have a lot of spin but the only time I get balls to spin back is when I hit a wedge absolutely pure and with a low flight.

Think back to the US Open last year at Pebble Beach. On a par 3 ( 17th hole?), the only balls that were able to hold the green were low trajectory shots, these had the most spin. High flighted shots just bounced across the greens.

With all of this being said I would just play the flight that you feel comfortable with. Contrary to what I just got done saying above, I actually prefer a high ball flight.

[hs6KnlcW]

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equip...fowler#slide=1

[QuidQuoPro]

a nice ball flight for me all depends on the conditions but right now my ball flight is super high when im not skulling it

[advabHixavoip]

To me it is based on optimal numbers for my game and ONLY on optimal numbers. I dont change equipment unless I see better numbers (or reviewing clubs) and I look for the ideal numbers for my swing. The launch monitor has changed my way of thinking and has really made me a better golfer overall when it comes to picking what is right for my game.

I agree. Ball flight can also be manipulated with your swing as well. I'm no Tiger in that area, but I have learned how to keep the ball down some in the wind. I think the big adjustment in ball flight can and will come with a shaft change. I have been very lucky for years in that for the most part stock shafts work fine for me. The only thing I have changed recently is in my wedges which I have changed to the new TT spinner shafts. Jury is still out but I like them so far.

[Sdinozes]

So true... This is why I just look at dispersion rather than actual distance.

I think for me, I like a one that seems to climb and cut through the sky. I have a high ball flight and it gives some trouble in wind but no more than a piercing one I think. I'm not sure if thats all ball speed, ball or what it is but I have the same issue with a lower ball in the wind than my high ball flight. The shaft in my 3w launches pretty low and wind kills it just the same.

My favorite flight to see is the one I was getting the ATTAS or C Kua shaft. The ball would rise and I could see it climbing. Pretty cool to watch.

Some of the launch monitors in stores are "boosted" for increased distance. It's extremely easy to change the settings. It's a good, but deceptive practice employed by some. If you come in and demo a club and your distance is higher on every club you hit, it goes a long way to wanting to buy those clubs.

[itititit]

I agree that the "perfect numbers" are unique to each individual. Do you need the roll? Firm greens? Soft Greens? Does the wind affect the ball too much? etc etc...all of these kinds of factors really can do a number on any PERFECT number a math wiz can dish out.

I would simply assess what you like about your game and what you believe needs to be worked on. Then take this info to a local pro that you trust. As smart as some of folks on this forum are, a true professional with 1st hand experience of your game will have a MUCH better idea of how to help you improve on said numbers.