Laws of Golf Ball Flight
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There are five "laws of golf ball flight" which are absolutes, since they are physical forces which directly influence the flight of the golf ball on every swing These laws are used by virtually every instructor and high level golfer in diagnosing swing problems. Laws #1. The speed of the clubhead at impact greatly affects the distance the golf ball will travel. A faster club head speed will cause the ball to travel further; a slower club head speed will lead to less distance. See Diagram #2. The degree to which the ball is struck in relation to the club's "sweet spot" affects both the distance and direction of the ball. The closer to the sweet spot the ball is struck, the further and straighter the ball will travel. See Diagram #3. The direction the clubface is pointed at impact greatly affects the direction of the flight of the ball. The more the toe or the heel of the club is in front at impact, the more side spin will be imparted to the ball which will influence the curvature of the ball's flight. See Diagram #4. The initial direction the ball flies after impact is greatly influenced by the path of the clubhead. The faster the clubhead speed at impact, the greater this influence will be. #5. The steepness of the club's path at impact affects both distance and curvature. A steeper angle of attack will cause the ball to go higher and less far because of the degree of backspin generated. A ball struck above its center of gravity will go lower than a ball struck below its center of gravity.
Examples Once these laws are understood, they can be used to intentionally change the direction or distance of the ball's flight. These swing changes may be used shape a particular stroke or to correct a swing error. The following examples show how the laws of golf ball flight can be used. #1. For a short pitch, the golfer will use a shorter backswing and soften the swing, decreasing the speed of the clubhead at impact and lessens the distance of the ball flight. #2. To decrease the speed of a putt on a severe downhill slope, the putt may be played on the toe of the putter, making certain to keep the clubface square to ensure the direction is not affected. #3. When the ball needs to be played around an obstacle (i.e., bush or tree), the golfer may play to ball with an open or closed clubface, causing the ball to curve to the right or left because of the side spin. #4. If a golfer knows that she tends to slice the ball (ball flight curving to right, often caused by an over-the-top move resulting in an outside-inside swing path), she can work on drills that change her swing path to an inside-outside line. #5. When a golfer is in a position in which she needs to hit under tree branches or other obstacles, she can place the ball further back in her stance, which lessens the loft of the club and allows her to hit the ball with a descending blow and keep the ball's trajectory low. |
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