Mastering Golf Shot Trajectories with Rick Shiels
Wind, firm greens, hidden flags: Rick Shiels explains why it’s important to know how to vary your shot trajectory. With a 7-iron, he demonstrates how to hit a low shot, a high shot, a fade, and a draw, using simple adjustments at address.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
For Rick Shiels, Speed and loft determine the height. For the low ball, when playing into the wind, you should adjust both: tilt the clubhead forward at address so it’s in the same position at impact, take an 80% swing—either in length or speed—and possibly use one club longer. The ball position depends on your swing: place it just behind the center. For the high ball, which stops better on a firm green; add loft and speed: clubface almost vertical, ball just in front of the center, fast swing, and hands very high at the finish, which results in a flatter angle of attack and a shallower divot.
For the fade, the path goes to the left of the target with the clubface slightly open relative to that path: feet, hips, and shoulders slightly to the left; an outside-in swing; and passive hands and arms to prevent the clubface from closing. For the draw, his favorite shot is the opposite: his body aligned to the right, face slightly offset from this alignment but always to the right of the target, with the club coming down from the inside and the forearms allowing the clubface to rotate. These rules apply to most irons.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Low ball: Tilt the clubhead forward at address, move the ball back slightly, and swing at 80% power.
- If necessary, use a longer club to make up for the loss of distance.
- High ball: almost vertical grip, ball just in front of center, fast swing, and hands high at the finish.
- Fade: Align your feet, hips, and shoulders slightly to the left, facing slightly to the left of the target.
- Swing from the outside in, keeping your hands and arms relaxed.
- Draw: Align your body to the right and close your clubface just slightly relative to that alignment.
- Swing along the line of your feet, letting your forearms rotate the clubface.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Swing with full power when going for a low ball.
- Move the ball all the way back in your stance without worrying about your swing.
- Slow down on the high ball, which requires speed.
- Let the clubface close too quickly when you're aiming for a fade.
- Closing the clubface too far to the left on a draw: the ball goes right and curves too much.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Series of four shots with a 7-iron: low, high, fade, draw
- Comparison of Divots Between Low and High Balls
- 80% swings, with a bent arm, for a low ball
- Different alignments for the fade and the draw
Your Questions
How do you hit a low ball, according to Rick Shiels?
Reduce loft and swing speed: keep your club shaft tilted forward at address and at impact, take an approximately 80% swing, and aim just behind the center of the ball. If necessary, use a club one size larger.
How do you get the ball to go up?
Add loft and speed: a nearly vertical clubface, the ball just in front of center, a fast swing, and hands very high at the finish. The angle of attack becomes flatter and the divot shallower.
What is the key to a fade?
A path that goes to the left of the target, with the clubface slightly open relative to that path. Align your body to the left and keep your hands relaxed so the clubface doesn't close.
How about a draw?
Body aligned to the right, clubface slightly closed relative to this alignment, club coming down from the inside, and forearms allowing the clubface to rotate.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Rick Shiels). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.