The potential swing issues that cause the poor impact position include the following:
- Casting from the top of the golf swing
- Improper weight shift
- Over the top move
Do you struggle with hitting your irons too high?
As a junior golfer, I hit my irons really high, but soon ran into some issues with always hitting high irons shots.
I struggled to control the carry distance and also struggled in the wind.
Whether it was a tailwind, head wind, or a wind from side to side, it was a true struggle.
Others might struggle to maximize their distance with the irons when the ball is hit too high. So what is the solution?
Let’s first talk about the causes of this problem and then figure out how to hit the ball at the right ball flight.
Why Do I Hit My Irons So High?
The number one cause is more than likely a poor impact position. The hands are probably equal or maybe even behind the ball at impact. This leads to an increase in the amount of loft presented at impact, causing the ball to fly too high. This is often a result of several potential swing issues.
My Experience: Many golfers cast from the top, causing a poor impact position and loosing a great deal of distance from dumping their speed way too early. This also causes a shot that flies high and spins a lot, causing the golfer to a great deal of distance.
If you look at any of the professional golfers on tour, you will see at impact, their hands are ahead of the ball (target side) at impact. This helps compress the ball and actually launches the ball at a lower degree than the loft on the golf club.
Check out this video below of the various impact positions of professional golfers.
Next, check out the launch angle compared to the amount of loft on the club. One main takeaway is that the only club that has a higher launch angle compared to the loft is the driver. With every other club in the golf bag, the professional golfer has a lower launch angle compared to the loft.
| Club Number | Driver | 3Wood | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | P |
| Loft (Degrees) | 9 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 31 | 35 | 39 | 43 |
| Launch Angle (Degrees) | 10.9 | 9.4 | 10.4 | 11 | 12.1 | 14.1 | 16.3 | 18.1 | 20.4 | 24.2 |
#1 Why Do I Hit My Irons So High: Casting from the top of the golf swing
This is a common swing issue even amongst golfers that have a single digit handicap. Casting of the golf club from the top can add extra loft and reduce the overall swing speed. Many golfers have tried to figure out for years how to maintain more lag through the hitting zone. Contrary to what some might believe, the best way to get more lag and reduce the lag is two moves:
- Throwing the clubhead from the top towards the target (don’t swing at the ball)
- Get a slight squat or downward movement to start the downswing (in transition)
I know it might sound contradictory to say to throw the clubhead from the top, but in all reality, this move actually helps the golfer properly release the club. Instead of trying to hang out, give it a shot and see what it looks like via your smartphone video from the side view.
When the target off in a distance becomes the target, instead of the golf ball, the golfer naturally is able to maintain lag better rather than releasing all lag prior to getting to the ball and then hanging out for dear life.
Here is a great video by Monte Scheinblum called the No Turn Cast Drill (Full Review on No Turn Cast Drill)
Another great instructor to help you with your casting is Shawn Clement. He spends a significant amount of time helping golfers feel athletic and making natural movements, which includes throwing the club towards the target instead of at the golf ball.
Here is a great video by Shawn Clement that might help your game! (Full review on Shawn Clement here!)
#2 Why Do I Hit My Irons So High: Improper weight shift
The sliding of the hips too far forward in the downswing with the head moving past the golf ball can cause the golfer to release the club too early, resulting in too much loft presented at impact. The golfer who is able to keep their head behind the ball, will naturally maintain the lag more consistently and have a solid ball strike to go along with iht all.
When the golfer moves forward too far in the downswing, or as Bobby Lopeaz calls it, moves “offsides” they are simply hanging on through impact and has to cast the club from the top.
This is one of my favorite videos of all time as it shows the importance of keeping the head and the front shoulder behind and at the ball.
#3 Why Do I Hit My Irons So High: Over the top move
The over the top move in the downswing impacts the angle of attack at impact. This causes too much spin on the ball, resulting in shots that fly higher than necessary. The more spin in the shot, the less distance the ball will travel.
This is a swing fault among many golfers that have played baseball or softball in their careers and are now transitioning to golf. The key from the top of the backswing is to remain patient with the hands, have a slight square and move forward and then turn and fire through the shot.
The over the top move is a result of friging from the top with the shoulders and the arms as they get ahead of the body and end up coming over the top, resulting in a steep angle of attack and too much spin.
Over the top golf swing: Fix this issue once and for all!
One of the best instructors to help eliminate the over the top swing is Shawn Clement. Here is a highly recommended video:
Recommend Swing Aid for Impact Position
The number one swing aid or training aid that I have found to help with the impact position is the Lag Shot Training Aid. If you are tired of casting the club from the top and adding extra loft, you have to try out this training aid!
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About four years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage. I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.
This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day. I can practice or play rounds of golf. I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.
It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.