Ball trajectory - clubface angle and swing path

[rubch]

First of all, I've been surfing around this forum for the past week or so, and it's a great forum with many knowledgable and helpful people.

While surfing around, I stumbled across Greg's website (which is very nicely put together btw). http://members.cox.net/gregjwillis/T...ALL%20RULE.htm

Now, I've understood that the trajectory of ball flight was dependent on clubface angle and swing path. However, inuitively, it made more sense to me that clubface angle would determine the initial trajectory, while swing path would determine any curve in the flight after the initial launch. Intuitively, the opposite doesn't quite make sense to me (which probably explains why attempting to change my driver swing path to correct my slice hasn't helped). Can someone explain this in an intuitive manner? My first thought is of tennis or table tennis, where ballspin is created by the plane of the swing, not the direction the racket or paddle is facing.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[pgmetcalf]

Re: Ball trajectory - clubface angle and swing path

Swing path can also change the angle (loft) of the club face, which is why hooks tend to fly a little low and slices generally fly higher.

If you're looking to practice shaping the ball, I would suggest you try making the smallest of changes. I think a lot of people make a big mistake in "over doing" things. If you set up in an open stance to try and fade the ball, you might open your stance by moving your left back 6 inches or more from the target line. That much movement can prove disaterous. It's much easier to get the ball moving a little, say 3 feet, in the air and then make sure you're able to apply the club head correctly time and time again before considering to increase the amount of turn on the ball.

[rubch]

Re: Ball trajectory - clubface angle and swing path

Thanks for the reply. The part about clubface angle and loft makes a lot of sense.

I'm not trying to practice shaping shots yet. I'm trying to determine what is causing the slice with the driver. I don't slice any of my other clubs. I thought it was because I was coming outside in, but it might just be because I'm not closing the clubface enough. I might have been trying to correct the wrong thing.

I have a lesson today so I'll be sure to ask about it.

[gord962]

Re: Ball trajectory - clubface angle and swing path

If only 1 club is causing problems, it may be the club, not your swing, causing the problems. My advice is to go to a professional club fitter to get a shaft that matches your swing on your driver.

[Started2k3]

Re: Ball trajectory - clubface angle and swing path

I have a lesson today so I'll be sure to ask about it.

So what did the pro say?

[rubch]

Re: Ball trajectory - clubface angle and swing path

So I had my 4th out of 5 lessons on last Thursday. At this point, I was pretty comfortable with my short iron play and wanted to improve my swing with the longer clubs. So we started working with the long irons, fairway woods and driver. After a few swings with each, everything was going long and straight.

Basically, I kept the same swing. I stood up straight, pivoted on my rear foot, kept a low, flat take away, and made sure to rotate my hands through impact. When I sliced, it was because I didn't close the clubface completely. When I pulled, I did not find the bottom of the swing with my hands and came outside in. The only thing I changed with the driver swing was to strengthen my grip - I can see about one and a half knuckles on my left hand. Whereas my normal grip shows about half a knuckle.

I played a lot of holes this weekend, and my driver was the best club. Only having had it a week, I was able to consistenty hit it straight and roughly 220-250 yards. Funny thing is, I was struggling a bit with my short irons as they feel a bit "funny" since the shafts are so short relative to the driver. I think I may be coming up too vertically with them.

[Started2k3]

Re: Ball trajectory - clubface angle and swing path

good stuff.