A ball that climbs too high, or “balloons”, looks great but loses distance and gets thrown around by the wind. The usual cause is adding loft at impact by scooping, or too much spin.
Why it happens
- Flipping (scooping): trying to help the ball into the air makes the clubhead pass your hands before impact, which adds loft.
- Weight on the back foot: hanging back usually goes together with flipping.
- Ball too far forward in the stance with irons.
- Driver spin too high: often from a steep, out-to-in swing or a driver head and shaft that spin too much for your speed.
3 drills for a stronger flight
1. Hands-ahead impact drill
Set up a slow-motion impact position with your hands just ahead of the ball and the shaft leaning slightly toward the target. Hit small 30-metre shots copying that position. If you have an impact bag, hit it with the same feel.
2. Punch-shot drill
With a 7-iron, make a three-quarter backswing and a short, low finish with your hands at hip height. It teaches you to compress the ball instead of lifting it, and it’s the shot you need in the wind anyway.
3. Pump drill
Swing to the top, start down until your hands are at hip height, go back to the top, then swing through. It trains you to keep the wrist angle longer instead of throwing the club.
Gear check
If your driver balloons even when you strike it well, try less loft or a lower-spinning head and shaft. A launch-monitor fitting will show your spin in two minutes.
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