Monty on Trajectory

I'm always on the lookout for new ways of making the basics easier to use, and today I have a really unique approach to trajectory. In fact, it's so simple that I'm amazed I didn't stumble across it sooner.

I am a great believer that controlling trajectory is more important that controlling shot shape. I know that goes against what a lot of instructors teach but as long as you can hit one consistent shot shape, you can play most courses. You may have to lay up at a sharp dogleg that bends the wrong way for your shot shape. Big deal -- that's easy enough to do.

However, unless you can hit your shot higher or lower when you need to, you won't be able to hit under trees or over obstacles. You won't be able to keep the ball low into a wind or hit it high to take advantage of a tailwind. In my book, controlling trajectory is the more useful skill.

On Tuesday night's Golf Channel Academy Colin Montgomerie had an amazingly simple approach to trajectory that you can use RIGHT NOW, without any practice whatsoever. I was blown away by the simplicity of it.



Are you ready for this?

• When you need a high trajectory, hit your normal full shot. The spin imparted to the ball will make it go high.
• When you need a low trajectory, hit a shot at less than full power -- in other words, hit a knockdown shot. You won't get as much spin on the ball so it will fly lower.

Now obviously when you hit that knockdown shot it won't go as far as the full shot, so you take a longer club to get the distance you need.

And it follows that when you're hitting downwind you'll hit the full shot, and when you're hitting into the wind you'll hit the knockdown shot.

Here's an interesting fact: When hitting into the wind, Monty pointed out that the knockdown shot will travel farther than the full shot even if you use the same club with both shots. That's because the extra spin on the full shot will cause the ball to balloon into the air and fall short.

And do you want to know what makes this such an incredible tip? In order to adjust your trajectory this way, you don't have to alter your setup or ball position one little bit! You just set up normally and hit your full or knockdown shot.

Like I said, it's dirt simple and almost foolproof. What more can you ask for from a golf tip? Thank you, Monty!