You do not have to get under the golf ball to get it airborne. It is unbelievable how many swing faults are caused by golfers actively trying to lift their golf ball. This will reduce weight transfer, cause a weak wrist flip through impact, and destroy all the left side extension in the golf swing. The common results are fat and topped shots. 

Even if you are successful at getting under the ball, the upswing puts over spin to the ball. The ball is airborne for a very short time and runs along the ground. Over spin is only good in putting. The putter should swing through the golf ball on the upswing. This produces an end over end spin on the golf ball.  If the ball catches any part of the hole it will spin down into the hole. On every other shot in golf, including drives off the tee, we want to put backspin on the ball. 

The golf club is built to swing slightly downward as it swings into the golf ball. The grooves and loft built into the clubface can then spin the ball up. Like a good football punt, a long hang time is very good in golf. If you swing into the back of the ball, it will spin up and stay up. This produces distance and control. 

An old golf joke goes something like this: In golf there are two balls, a big ball and a small ball.  The big ball is the planet earth. The little one is the golf ball. The object of golf is to hit the little ball FIRST.

That is very true. In order to put backspin on the ball, you must feel like you're "pinching" it into the ground. If you scoop or try to get under the ball, you will often hit the big ball (the earth) first. This scooping action causes your wrist to unhinge too early and the left arm to break down. For good results, picture the club swinging into the back of the ball and then hitting the ground.

The best way to practice this is by hitting short pitch shots around the green. Put your feet close together and pull your front foot halfway back. Bend your body at the hips, keeping the knees slightly bent. Hold your head high, and let your arms hang. Practice rotation of the shoulders and hips. Since the shoulders control the back swing, when you turn your shoulder a small amount, the club will swing back and up. 

Now begin the forward swing. Turn your hips and let the golf club swing forward and down. Once you get the correct timing, the golf club should catch the ball and then mark the ground. Distance is controlled by how far back the club swings and how much speed you create going through it. Remember to hit the small ball, then the big ball.  Teach yourself to pinch the golf ball. 

Bill Castner, Teaching Professional