Trick shots

Question
QUESTION: Many years ago I caddied for this individual that was a long ball hitter that had a trajectory that rode low for a long time and then would climb at the very end and pop up and then almost drop straignt down.  Sort of like a bell curve.  He used a persimmon Powerbilt driver.

The reason I call it "Harpoon" or "Exocet" is because the missile will fly low and then pop up when it gets near the target.

How does this person get a trajectory like this?

Oh yeah, incidentally, the killer golf setup I mentioned some time ago is working well.  I had opportunity for par 6 times in 9 holes (got 3 of them). A triple bogey on a par 3 (that was a disaster with a hooked 9 wood and a couple flubbed pitch shots)and tree trouble on a short par 4 (I would have drove the green had I not pulled my drive) sort of killed a real good golf score. Since then, I reverted my 9 wood back to my ratty 29 degree Puma (and I can hit it between 170-180 yards straight, pretty consistent).  I also mastered the new SW and LW.  Finally, the King Cobra driver is working pretty well.

ANSWER: Lou:

I have no idea, but I remember watching many long ball hitters back then (70's) do the same thing.  The ball was just a rocket off the face, seemed to bore through everything, then seemed to rise.  No clue how that happened.  It might have had something to do with the Bulge and Roll on the clubface that old persimmon heads had.  But I do not know for sure.  But I was always amazed at watching them hit balls.  Congrats on your new setup, you have a nice knack for figuring stuff out yourself and making it work.  Way to go.

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

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

QUESTION: The other good thing is I started hitting my six iron pretty consistent and one of the things I was toying around this morning is doing pitch shots with one (open stance and feet about a foot apart).  I found out a quarter swing pitch goes about 75 yards and a full swing pitch about 100-110.  Where would you use a six iron (as opposed to a lob or gap wedge)?  I know it rolls quite a bit.

The other thing I have been toying around with is the Tiger Woods "stinger" shot, where one chokes down an inch.  I guess he does it with a long iron or fairway wood in windy situations.  I tried it with the driver and the 4 wood and they do go rather straight with a little less altitude.  

Answer
Lou:

Your six iron shot is for trees or pitching out from them or if it has to be run real low under branches or if you are playing into a stiff wind.  I've hit those kind of 6 irons before from about 100 yards on purpose.  Great shot to know and be able to control.  Tiger's stinger shot is a lot more than choking down on the club.  Most human beings cannot do what he does physically, so we won't get into it.  But you're right, they go pretty straight and lower.  Sounds like you are having fun with it.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member