Most players think that launch angle is just a swing problem. They will spend hours on the range trying to “fix” their ball flight, convinced they need to change their entire swing plane or angle of attack. I’ve been learning golf for years and I can tell you that starting matters are rarely that simple.
Yours OUTGOING angle results from multiple factors working together or against each other. Sometimes, what you think is a problem, is actually not a problem at all.
When high launch is a problem
I worked with a player who was convinced of it the bars were being released too high. He was hitting what looked like nice shots, but they would blow in any wind and he was missing 10-15 yards on every iron.
Adding the attic to the influence
The most common culprit for sky iron shots is adding loft to the shot. This happens when your hands drop behind the ball at contact, effectively increasing the loft of the club. I’ve seen students turn a 7-iron into a 9-iron this way. You’ll know this is your problem if you are the divots are shallow or non-existent and the ball seems to be floating up there.
Falling back through impact
Regarding the addition of the attic is weight shift matter. When you sit back on your foot after the shot, you are essentially trying to “help” the ball into the air. The club ends up too early, you catch it on the rise, and suddenly your 6-iron is dropping like a raised wedge.
Equipment factors
Here’s where it gets interesting. A shaft that is too flexible for your swing speed will lag and add loft to the swing. The shaft is loaded in the downward direction, but does not return to square. It features more loft than the club is designed to offer.
Modern game-enhancing handcuffs add another layer to this. Yes, they have stronger lofts, but manufacturers engineer them with low and deep centers of gravity to create the proper launch window. Without that low CG, those stronger lofts would drop the ball lower. The low CG compensates to produce higher launch angles. If you’re playing super game improvement irons with a flex shaft and adding loft to your swing, you’re making the problem worse.
When the low start gets you down
On the other hand, I have students who hit these piercing, low shots that look great on the range, but don’t hold the greens and go through everything.
Disappearance in influence
This is the opposite problem: removing loft from the club at impact. It usually happens when players get too aggressive with the shaft tilting forward. Yes, you want a lean shaft in the shock, but there is a limit. When your hands go too far in front of the ball, you are turning your 7 iron into a 5 iron. You’ll get far, but you won’t have stopping power.
The problem of hands far ahead
I see this especially with top players who have read many instructional articles about “trapping” the ball. They get their hands in front of the ball and maintain that relationship through impact. You create a ton of forward lean, dramatically reduce effective loft, and produce a low, hard shot that’s nearly impossible to control on approach shots.
Contact problems
Sometimes, the low launch is just about the quality of the shot. Overhand shots and thin contact definitely produce low ball flights. But even a slightly thin contact (holding it even half a groove down on the face) will significantly reduce release and spin. The ball comes up hot and low and you might think you hit it clean until you see where it ends up.
Shaft stiffness
A shaft that is too stiff will not load properly, will not release fully, and will tend to produce lower launch angles. This is less common than the too-flexible problem, but I see it with players who feel they have to “play what the pros play”.
When the launch angle is actually good
Here’s where I’m a bit of a contrarian: not every release issue needs fixing.
If you’re a high ball hitter who plays in calm conditions on soft courts, your high release can be an advantage. You will stop the ball with a coin. Similarly, if you play in the wind or on hard pitches, a low ball flight can be a weapon.
The question is not whether your launch is high or low. It is if it costs you hits.
Gear vs. Swing: What to fix first
When a student comes to me with startup problems, I always check their hardware first. It is the easiest solution and often the actual problem. A simple change of shaft or even adjusting the position of your ball can make a dramatic difference.
But if your equipment is appropriate for your swing speed and skill level, then, yes, we need to look at swing mechanics. Usually, it’s about hitting position: where your hands are in relation to the ball, where your weight is, and how the club is releasing.
conclusion
Your iron launch angle is a combination of your swing mechanics, your equipment, and your setup. Before you rebuild your swing, make sure you’re playing with the right equipment. Before you buy new clubs, make sure your swing isn’t causing the problem.
Remember: the goal is not to launch it at the “perfect” angle you read about online. The goal is to launch it at an angle that helps you score better on the courses you actually play.
Match your start to your game, not someone else’s ideal.
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