If the face is not aiming in the same direction as the club heads swing path then the golf ball will curve in the air. This is because tilted axis spin is imparted on the golf ball when it is struck and the golf ball will therefore curve in the direction that the axis is tilted down.
What makes the golf ball curve?
Still, every golfer must know how to answer this fundamental question: “What makes the golf ball curve?” The simplest response: Spin. More specifically, sidespin. So the question then becomes, “What creates sidespin?” Now we're getting somewhere.
What does center of gravity mean in golf?
Center of Gravity – While this term can also be used to talk about a player it is generally related to the design and balancing of the golf club. To keep the concept simple, the farther back and lower the center of gravity (CG), the higher the trajectory will be according to the loft angle.
What does slope mean on a golf course?
The first use of slope is essentially a measure of how difficult a course is relative to others. You might be playing on a par 72, but that doesn’t make it as much of a challenge as say, Augusta National and its par 72. A slope number simply allows you to know, at least to some extent, what the difference really is.
What is a Cutcut in golf?
Cut – A golf shot that has a high trajectory and moves from left to right for right-handed golfers. Also referred to as a high fade. Dance Floor – The Green.
What is side spin in golf?
What is the bulge and roll of a hollow golf club?
What does curve mean in golf?
As a TrackMan parameter, CURVE is defined as the horizontal side movement perpendicular from the launch direction to carry side. As a distance, the number is given in yards (or meters) and followed by R for right or L for left to indicate the landing position of the ball from the launch direction.
What causes a curve in golf?
It's all about spin axis – AKA “sidespin” “Spin Axis is the tilt angle relative to the horizon of the golf ball's resulting rotational axis immediately after separation from the club face (post impact).” “The spin axis can be associated to the wings of an airplane.
How do you curve a golf shot?
6:2610:56HOW TO CURVE THE GOLF BALL - SIMPLE METHOD - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFace is aiming so therefore we need to make sure we're always getting our club face as a generalMoreFace is aiming so therefore we need to make sure we're always getting our club face as a general rule of thumb aiming in the direction in which we want the ball to start.
How do I stop my golf curve?
6:2710:40STOP YOUR GOLF BALL CURVING TO THE RIGHT - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd ultimately stopping that face pointing excessively to the right in fact we know that this faceMoreAnd ultimately stopping that face pointing excessively to the right in fact we know that this face will hopefully be pointing in the same direction as its path out to the left.
Why do I slice with my driver but not my irons?
The main reason that a driver will slice, but not the irons, is the length of the club. With a golf driver being longer than a golf iron, it is much harder to square the club face and release the club at the proper time. Golfers of all ability levels struggle with this concept.
Why can't I hit a golf ball straight?
In order to hit the ball straight, the club face needs to impact the ball at square every time. Failure to hit the ball with a square club face results in side spin on the ball, which in turns causes you to hit either a fade, a slice or a hook.
WHAT IS curve at top golf?
The path of the club in relation to the clubface will determine the spin. If your golf ball curves from left to right, the path of your club is moving more left than where your clubface is pointing. A right-to-left curve indicates a path moving more to the right than where the face is pointing.
How do you curve a golf ball around a tree?
1:442:42How to curve the golf ball around a tree - from right to left - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the club face is slightly closed in the hands slightly closed keep the ball in the middle andMoreSo the club face is slightly closed in the hands slightly closed keep the ball in the middle and swing relax make sure the time to leave the club please down to the ball.
Why hit a fade or draw?
There is an endless debate over which shot shape is better, the fade or the draw. Some will argue that the fade is better because it provides more control, and can offer a softer landing. Others will say the draw is superior because the ball with travel farther, and cut through the wind more effectively.
Why do I slice my irons?
The most common cause of a slice is an outside-in swing path. This means that through the initial part of your downswing, your club is outside the line of the ball (or further away from you than it should be).
What is the proper way to hit a golf ball right?
3:134:29STOP hitting golf shots to the right, rotate better through impactYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGo into the heel of that. Right foot. And then you'll be able to rotate your body back out of thereMoreGo into the heel of that. Right foot. And then you'll be able to rotate your body back out of there and work on that just to start with without hitting the ball get used to that feeling.
Why does my golf ball go left when I drive?
If it's a pull, there are two likely reasons why the ball is starting left: 1) your body and clubface are aimed left of the target at address, which promotes an out-to-in path; or 2) you're aiming properly but the clubface is closed too much at the point of contact.
What happens when the ball curves to the right?
When the club contacts the ball with the club face in an open position (pointing to the right of the swing path), a fade or a slice will result.
What direction does the ball curve when hitting a shot?
Those two possibilities are as follows –. Ball curves to the left. If the club face is pointed to the left of your swing path as you hit the ball, the ball is going to curve to the left.
What is the difference between backspin and sidespin in golf?
Every golf shot that flies through the air has some degree of spin, both backspin and sidespin. The backspin will have a lot to do with how high the ball rises in the air, while the sidespin will decide which direction the ball curves as it flies toward the target.
What is the difference between the club's path and the face angle?
The next thing to know is that the bigger the difference between the club's path and the face angle, the more the ball will curve in flight. Therefore, if your clubhead path is far right of target paired with a severely closed clubface (angled left), the ball will start to the right before curving sharply left (hook).
What are the factors that influence the sidespin of a golf club?
Two factors influence sidespin: 1) The clubhead path, or the direction in which the club is traveling when it contacts the ball, relative to the target line; and 2) The angle of the clubface in relation to the clubhead path.
Why is address important in golf?
Now that you have a good picture of why the ball can curve from side to side, you need to work on improving your ability to control that spin. After all, if you can't control the spin of the ball, you have very little chance of making your way around the course successfully.
What does it mean when a golf ball turns in the direction of the club face?
This is the basic point that you need to understand in reference to the curve of the golf ball – it is going to turn in the direction of the club face relative to the swing path that you use. If your club face is only slightly closed to the path at impact, the ball will only take a slight draw in the air.
Why do golfers curve the ball?
Keeps the ball away from trouble. Eliminates one side of the golf course. Allows them to aim center on approach shots and work the ball towards the hole. Easier to hit than a straight shot.
What direction does the golf ball curve?
The ball will start left of the target line (club face is 3 degree closed or left) and curve away from the swing path, which means it will curve right.
How to eliminate the left side of a golf ball?
If they prefer to hit the draw, they can eliminate the left side by ensuring they start the ball down the right side and keep it from over curving. This is at the highest level, but it is the ultimate when you can reduce or pretty much eliminates one side of the course. The Stack and Tilt method teaches golfers to hit a draw, but to ensure that they do not over draw it base the target line. This pretty much eliminates the left side of the course.
Where does the golf ball start?
The ball will start right of the target line (club face is 3 degree open or right) and fly straight since the clubface and the swing path are the same number of degrees open or right of the target line.
What is the most difficult shot in golf?
The most difficult shot in golf is the perfectly straight shot. It takes a club face that is perfectly square and a path that is completely centered. It is much more simple to hit a draw or fade because it provides a higher margin for error. Below, I get into the ball flight laws and by understanding the basics, you will better understand why the straight shot should not really ever be an option. If you head out on tour and watch a local event, you will see the shots of most pros falling to the left or right 99% of the time.
How to set your feet for a golf ball?
After sighting your target from behind the ball, step in and aim the face at the target. Next, set your feet, making sure your stance line is well to the left. ( Remember, a square stance is parallel-left of the target line, so you have to be farther left than that.) Your body lines—knees, hips and shoulders—should point where your feet point.
How to hit a fade in golf?
Jack said to hit a fade—his preferred shot—aim the clubface where you want the ball to come down, and align your body to the left (for right-handers). To hit a draw, do the opposite: Aim the face where you want the ball to finish and align your body to the right.
Understanding The Ball Flight Laws
Why? If you understand the ball flight laws you can start to become your own swing instructor and make corrections on the range or the course by reading the flight of your golf ball. Too often golfers turn to the video of their swing when everything you need to know can be read off of your ball flight.
Understanding the Fundamentals of Golf
The Stack and Tilt Instructors said it best when they described what they believed were the fundamentals of golf. They explained it somewhat similar to this:
BONUS TIP: How to Increase Swing Speed
We know that fundamental #3 is to have enough power to play a course. Did you know that with SuperSpeed Golf you can see a 5-8% increase in swing speed in your very first session. This could be 20-30 yards for some golfers.
What is a local rule in golf?
Local Rule – Specific rule or rules that are not mainstream and only for that particular golf course. Long – A term for a golfer who hits the ball far (Dustin Johnson). Long Game – Refers to hitting long irons, woods, hybrids, and driver. Lob Wedge – A type of wedge that is usually in the 60 to 64-degree range.
What is the back nine of a golf course?
Back Nine – This refers to the last 9 holes of a typical 18 hole course, also known as heading in. Backswing – As the term suggests, this is simply the action taking when swinging back before striking the golf ball. It is important for distance and accuracy.
What is a baseball grip?
Baseball Grip – A type of grip that resembles a baseball bat grip. Others might call it a 10-finger grip. Below the Hole – A term that refers to a putt where the hole is at a higher elevation than the ball. Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling.
Why is backspin important in golf?
It is important for distance and accuracy. Backspin – Spin is very important in most aspects golf and you will often come across the term when comparing clubs or in golfing instructions. Simply put, more backspin will give you a high ball with a fair amount of control.
What is an ace in golf?
Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.
What is a fat shot in golf?
The specifics and colors can vary from course to course. Fat – A fat shot is when the club strikes the ground before the ball.
What is a big dog in golf?
Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling. Bladed Shot – A chip shot from just off the green purposely hit with the bottom of the club. Played often from when the ball rests against the collar of the green. Runs like a putt.
Golf Course Slope Rating
The first use of slope is essentially a measure of how difficult a course is relative to others. You might be playing on a par 72, but that doesn’t make it as much of a challenge as say, Augusta National and its par 72. A slope number simply allows you to know, at least to some extent, what the difference really is.
How is Golf Course Slope Calculated?
Well this is all well and good, but how is this number calculated? Well technically, the number represents how much more difficult a given set of tees is for a bogey player in relation to scratch handicapper. You might think that this difference is fairly constant, but that isn’t the case at all.
Who Rates the Course?
There is obviously a deal of subjectivity in this rating. After all, golf isn’t an exact science.
Rangefinder Golf Slope Explained
This might seem relatively straightforward, at least in theory, but this is when we hit problem. Slope is also used to mean something completely different. Confusing, right? Slope is part of a variable when calculating distance as I explained in another article.
Calculating Distance with Slope
This is where our second definition of slope comes into play. You may have heard of a slope function on a rangefinder. This gives you an adjusted yardage based on the difference in elevation between where you are and where you want to go by using some fancy tech to essentially give an angle up or down which is used to adjust the distance.
What is side spin in golf?
Side spin is the commonly used, but incorrect way to describe the spin axis of a golf ball as it travels through the air. Rather than try and define it myself, I will refer to the experts at Trackman to help me explain what’s really going on.
What is the bulge and roll of a hollow golf club?
Beyond the relationship between the clubface and path, hollow golf clubs also have another factor at play, and that is the bulge and roll – curvature of the face from top to bottom and side to side. This curvature combined with the gear effect of hitting a shot outside the sweet spot results in the club imparting a higher measured spin axis and as a result the ball curves even more.
