Tommy Fleetwood Teaches Iron Trajectory Control for Links Golf Season

Tommy Fleetwood has shared detailed instruction on controlling iron shot trajectory, focusing on simple ball-positioning adjustments that allow golfers to flight shots higher or lower without changing club selection. The technique comes as the professional golf calendar shifts toward links-style courses in the United Kingdom, where elevation control becomes essential.

The Stock Shot Foundation

Fleetwood, speaking from his academy in Dubai, emphasizes that trajectory adjustment begins with understanding a golfer's baseline performance. He describes this baseline as "stock"—the standard ball position in your stance combined with your typical swing mechanics. Knowing this reference point is crucial because any adjustment to trajectory must build from this foundation, rather than introducing multiple variables simultaneously.

For most golfers working with a 7-iron, establishing where that stock shot lands and how high it flies becomes the starting point for deliberate adjustments. Without this clarity, attempting to modify trajectory becomes guesswork rather than technique.

The Five-Ball Drill

To teach the concept practically, Fleetwood employs a training method using five golf balls lined up parallel to the target line, just outside the hitting area. His stock setup positions the golfer to strike the center ball, while moving forward one ball position in the stance produces a noticeably higher trajectory. Testing this adjustment with a smooth 7-iron swing can increase apex height by 10 to 15 feet while reducing distance by approximately 12 yards.

For situations requiring even greater height—what Fleetwood calls the "2 percent scenario"—the principle extends further. Moving additional balls forward in the stance creates progressively higher trajectories, though each adjustment carries distance trade-offs. This scalable approach allows golfers to develop feel and consistency rather than relying on abrupt technique changes.

Timing for Links Golf Season

The instruction arrives as professional golf prepares for its annual shift to linksland. The Scottish Open and Open Championship across men's, women's, and senior divisions demand precisely these skills—holding shots into crosswinds and drilling them lower into headwinds. Fleetwood, raised in Southport on England's west coast near Royal Birkdale, brings authentic links experience to the instruction. His proximity to courses hosting major championships gives his guidance particular relevance for golfers preparing for championship conditions.