Understanding the Simplest Causes and Effects
Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism.
This Chart Will Help You Grasp Ball Flight Basics
The colored rectangles represent swing path, the dotted lines ball flights. Perry Andrisen
Face Position Over Swing Path
"Clubface position has a bigger influence on direction than the path of the swing," Andrisen said. "You could be making a pull-slice swing but because the clubface is very open the ball might not fly to the left before it starts slicing."
How is the shape of the golf ball determined?
The shape of the golf ball flight is determined by the angle of the clubface, in relation to the swing path the club is taking at the moment the ball is struck.
Where are the bunkers in golf?
You have bunkers left and right at the front edge, and trees either side of the green. You can ‘cut’ it in from the left, or ‘Draw’ the ball in from the right. But, if you miss in any direction, you’re in the bunkers or worse, in the trees.
Does the golf ball flight trajectory dictate the golf ball flight trajectory?
Each of the above swing paths do not dictate the entire ‘ Golf Ball Flight Trajectory’. The swing path does dictate the curvature of the ball to a very large degree, yet it is the relationship of the club face, to the swing path, that gives you the shape of the Golf Ball Flight. So let’s dig into this.
What is a draw in golf?
In golf a draw is a ball that shoots to the right of the target initially but curls back while in the air to come to rest at the target. It is the opposite of a fade (see below). Review our tips on how to send your ball on target through a nice right-to-left ball flight that rolls a little further upon landing.
What is a fade ball?
The fade is the ball flight that sees the ball starting left of the target initially but curling back in the air and coming to rest at the target. It is the opposite of a draw (see above). Review our tips to learn how to produce a high left-to-right ball flight that lands softly, which is typical of a fade ball flight.
What is a stinger shot?
A stinger is a shot that produces a low ball flight relative to what would normally be produced with the club in hand.
