Hitting a High Shot Over Trees
Also known as: hit it higher over a tree, hit the ball over a tree, high shot over trees, hitting over trees, get the ball up over a tree, hit it higher on purpose
To hit the ball higher over a tree, take more loft, move the ball slightly forward in your stance and tilt your spine a little away from the target. Make a full swing to a high finish. First check that the loft can clear the tree from your lie.
Height comes mainly from loft and launch. A more lofted club is the simplest way to get the ball up fast. Moving the ball forward and tilting slightly away from the target adds a little more launch.
The lie decides what is possible. A ball sitting up on grass can launch high. A ball sitting down in rough or on hard ground comes out lower and harder to control. If the lie is poor, the high shot is a gamble.
Don't scoop. Swing through with your chest turning and finish with your hands high. If you can't clear the tree with room to spare, go around it or chip out.
Tips by skill level
Pick the club that clears the tree with room to spare, even if it leaves you short of the green.
Open the face slightly for extra height, and aim a little left to allow for the fade it creates.
Example
His ball sits up nicely behind a tall pine. He takes a 9-iron instead of a 6-iron, moves the ball forward and finishes high, and the ball clears the branches.
Why it matters
Picking the right loft and setup turns a scary shot into a playable one. Knowing when not to try it saves just as many strokes.
Common mistakes
- Trying to lift the ball with the hands
- Choosing too little loft to reach the green
- Ignoring a bad lie
- Not leaving any margin over the branches
Frequently asked questions
What club should I use to get over a tree?
Pick the club that clears the tree with room to spare, even if it leaves you short. From a poor lie, the ball comes out lower, so add loft.
Can I hit a high shot from a bad lie?
It is hard. A ball sitting down in thick grass or on hard ground comes out lower. If the lie is poor, chip out sideways instead.
Related terms
- Recovery ShotA recovery shot is played from trouble like deep rough, trees, a bad lie, or an awkward stance. Its goal is getting back into play, not maximum distance.
- Launch AngleLaunch angle is the vertical angle, in degrees above horizontal, at which the ball leaves the face. Together with spin it determines how high and far the ball flies.
- Apex (Peak Height)Apex, or peak height, is the highest point of the ball's flight, measured from the height it was launched. On TrackMan's PGA Tour averages, most clubs from driver to wedge peak at about 25 to 29 meters (roughly 27 to 32 yards). Slower swings peak lower, and the right height for you depends on your ball speed.
- Ball PositionBall position is where the ball sits in your stance: off the front foot for a driver, near the center for short irons. It directly controls the low point and attack angle.
- Curving the Ball Around a TreeTo hook the ball around a tree as a right-hander, aim your body well right of the tree and point the clubface just right of it, where you want the ball to start. Swing along your body line. The face is closed to that path, so the ball curves left. For a slice, reverse it.
Related guides & benchmarks
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