Hit down to make the golf ball go up... Here’s Why:

source: Thomas Golf Newsletter

Unlike some other sports, golf is often a game of opposites. One particular case that gives golfers trouble is the fact that you must hit down on the ball to make it go up.

Many golfers fall prey to the natural perception; that in order to get the ball off the ground and up into the air you need to swing in an upward motion. In actuality, the laws of physics dictate the opposite; a golfer should hit downward on the ball.

Ignore this tendency to swing under the ball (or to lift/scoop) to get it into the air. The lofted face is an important part of the club’s mechanics; put trust in it and it will do most of the work for you. When you swing down with a descending blow, the club face will contact the outer surface of the golf ball and the friction will cause the ball to spin backwards up the face and into the air.

Ball distance is a factor of your swing speed and compression on the golf ball, so coming down with a descending blow can also give you the benefit of more distance. Trajectory relies on the loft of your club. If you try to force ball height with a harder upward swing, it will not produce the results you’re looking for and can create a slew of problems with shot consistency. Give yourself mental reminders to avoid this tendency, and try building the right muscle memory by practicing an easier descending swing path.