Collegitate Golf

Question
QUESTION: The question I have is three fold:

First, I have a swing speed of about 105-110 with my driver, and I'm 6 feet tall. However, my irons seems to go really high. (I'm hitting my 6 iron at about a 22 degree launch angle.) I've improved my impact position and I'm still hitting it high. I think the shaft may be too soft.

I read your post about shaft angle at address and impact, but how can I check that it's correct? I know that impact matters more, but shaft angle determines how far I stand from the ball, so it really affects the whole swing.

I also read that you played for Arizona State. I am junior there right now, and I know I will have the game to play there in one year. How can I gain the experience and show the coach that I can play?

ANSWER: Hey James:

In response to your first question, you may be right.  If the shaft is too soft, it will kick it up.  You swing it fast enough to support a stiff or an X shaft, depending on the shaft and how it might be tipped.  Go to a good club repair facility to get it checked out.  I'd recommend Arizona Golf Works for that, since you are at ASU.  

Shaft angle does not determine how far you stand from the ball.  I am talking about the angle of the shaft at impact.  It is either leaning slightly forward towards the target, which is what you want most, or it is either straight up and down or leaning backwards away from the target.  That is what it sounds like you're doing to hit the ball so high.  I am not talking about the angle of the shaft at address.  I am only speaking of the angle of the shaft at impact...that is all that matters.  So how would you hit a knockdown shot?  Do you know how to hit a 6 iron head high into the wind and knock it in the middle of the green.  That is the stuff I am talking about that would help you learn to control the shaft angle more through impact...which would bring the flight down.  Also, the stiffness of the shaft would help here too.  

What kind of game do you have James?  What do you shoot average for 18 holes?  What tournaments have you won?  Give me some feedback here and I can give you my honest assessment.  But the bottom line in golf is pretty simple, if you can shoot the scores needed to succeed, then you'll get the goods.  Understand?  If you can shoot the scores needed to make the team and make a difference, why doesn't the coach already know about you?  I know Randy and if you can prove to me that you have what it takes to make the team, I can contact him or Mickey (Assistant Coach) for you.  

Look forward to your response.  Let me know how I can help.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1. I swung 6.0 project X shafts with a 6 iron, and its still 20-21 degrees of launch. It would probably translate into a few yards of distance, but I realize its my swing. I can hit low shots like that, but don't practice those enough since I rarely play in windy conditions.

I shoot mid 70s for 18 holes, and two years ago was a 2, but my short game has suffered when I didn't play. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to hit balls every yard 10-125 yds from the flag and hit until I can get 10 in a row inside of three feet. I've learned a lot more about the swing, but I know I need to play well under pressure for it to mean anything. I practice until I can't feel my hands, but I'm not in a position to play in any tournament I want. That's really the only barrier. Randy actually does know about me. He told me that unless I had played in big tournaments, I wouldn't be considered. Mickey is actually good friends of Todd Yoshitake, who I worked under at the Riviera CC in LA for a couple of years.

I won a member's tournament a couple of years ago, and I've placed in some high school tournaments and big local games. But I have little big time experience. I play with very good players but I guess there's no substitute for results in top level competition. How should I get the experience now? How far in advance does he make his final decision?

I figured that you probably know the two coaches, but I would not want you to say anything to them unless you were convinced. I know as sure as the sky is blue that I want to play professional golf whether or not I play at ASU, but playing for ASU is a hidden dream of mine that would help my cause a lot. I am going to put my swing on YouTube to help your decision.

Brian Locke plays for Loyola Marymount as a senior, and I've known him since he was a freshman in high school. I think he is one of the highest rated golfers in the country right now. When he said that I have a good swing, I think it was a situation where I just doubt my own ability, which is powerful.  

Answer
Hi James:  

You need to practice those low shots a lot, to correct the angle the of the shaft at impact.  If your shafts are stiff enough for your speed, then you are using your hands incorrectly at the bottom of the swing, causing loft.  In order to gain experience, you need to look at the Arizona Golf Association website and check the schedule of events and start entering tournaments.  You're correct, there is no substitute for experience.  If you have none, a top notch program like ASU won't look at you.  The only way for you to proceed without it is to see if there is a qualifying for the team open to anyone.  If not, then I guess that tells you what you need to do.  If you start winning amateur events, perhaps that will help.  But I do not pretend to know about ASU golf and their ways, I am pretty far removed from it.  The biggest thing is that you continue (or start) to play golf, and I mean tournament golf, not just golf with your buddies.  You only have one measuring stick in this game James and it's called tournaments.  No one cares if you have a good swing.  No cares how great of a person you are.  When push comes to shove in this sport and at the level you want to attain, there is just one question:  What did you shoot?  Nothing else matters.  So my advice to you is to start working on your short game more than you do your long game and start learning how to score better.  Then go put it to the test.  Good luck in your path.  I admire all I've heard.  If I can help you, let me know.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member