UNDERSTANDING GOLF BALL FLIGHT

By

Deb Vangellow/LPGA Teaching Professional

 

 

“A law is a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under given conditions”

 

When reading this statement, understand that the Law does not deal directly with the golf swing.  The Law refers to the physical forces which are absolutes in influencing the flight of the golf ball.  There are no absolutes in the golf swing, only Principles.  Absolutes are reserved for ball flight.  This is why they are called Laws.

 

To understand the Ball Flight Laws, we need to understand what is needed to overcome the challenges of distance and direction so that we can understand cause and effect…why the ball goes where it goes.  Since the object is to strike a ball so that it will travel from point A to point B, there are really only two logistical problems which must be overcome to make that happen:  1.  To negotiate a stipulated distance: and 2. To arrive at a selected target in a given direction.  Distance has three primary factors and direction, two that can be controlled by human performance.  These can be influenced by technique and are all measured at the moment of impact.

 

DISTANCE =

1.     clubhead speed

2.     centeredness of contact

3.     angle of approach

 

DIRECTION =

1.      path of swing

2.     clubface position

 

 The following five factors are the Ball Flight Laws which are assessed at the moment of impact:

 

SPEED

The velocity with which the clubhead is traveling.  Speed influences the distance the ball will be propelled as well as the trajectory and shape of the resulting shot.  Slower speeds produce less distance and higher speeds produce more distance.

CENTEREDNESS

The exactness with which the ball makes contact on the face of the club relative to the percussion point or sweet spot.  Contact could be either on the center, toe, heel, above or below the sweet spot.  Toe and heel hits result in loss of distance and high/low contact results in trajectory challenges.

PATH

The direction of the arc described by the clubhead in its travel away from and then back towards the target.  Its line of travel at impact is one of the primary factors influencing direction for a full shot.  Paths include inside to out, outside to in, and so called straight.

FACE

The degree at which the leading edge of the clubface is at right angles to the swing path, relative to the target and path of the clubhead.  It will determine the accuracy of the ball’s flight along that line, or produce a left or right curve away from that line.  Clubface position influences sidespin of the ball and may create a curving ball flight.   Clubface is described as open, closed, or square.

ANGLE OF APPROACH

The angle formed by the descending of ascending arc of the clubhead on the forward swing in relation to the slope of the ground.  Due to its influence on the ball’s spin rate, the trajectory and the distance the ball travels will be affected by this angle. 

*Steeper angle/more backspin/higher trajectory/less distance

*Shallow angle/less backspin, lower trajectory/more distance

*Loft on clubface at impact is a factor with distance

 

Certainly, there are equipment factors and environmental conditions that can influence distance and direction of the golf ball’s flight.  There are also psychological elements that can influence all five laws.  However, in understanding the Ball Flight Laws, consideration is only given to human physical factors that we have some control over.  Ball Flight Laws rank as the first priority because they are absolute rather than arbitrary.  They work every time without fail.  The ball is not concerned with swing style.

 

The Laws are irrefutable and absolute.  It is about “club and ball”—a stationary object being struck by a moving object…the speed of the moving object affects the degree of influence.  There are, however, fundamental considerations in the swing which have a direct bearing on a player’s application of the laws.  These are Principles and reflect some subjective judgement on the biomechanics of Pre-Swing and In-Swing.  The principles are how the person affects the motion of the club and thus affects the ball flight.   Finally, the third level of priority after Laws and Principles is the level which most of us as teachers work…Preferences.  This is simply the teacher and student’s choice of swing fundamentals that constitute style…unique and individual.  The preferences must relate to the principles and the principles must relate to the Laws to

 

This may be more information than you would prefer to digest.  To simplify and combine the Laws, Principles, and Preferences, think PREPARATION, BACKSWING, AND FORWARD SWING.  This would be a good framework on which to build your golf swing.  Work in these three areas, breaking them down depending on what is happening with the ball flight, can help you build your consistent, repeating golf swing.  A teacher who understands the Laws but more importantly understands you as the learner can help you to produce a playable ball flight:  straight, draw, or pull fade.

 

Work on YOUR swing motion that is compatible to who you are, effective so that a playable ball flight is produced with appropriate distance, trajectory, and direction, and efficient so that there is repeatability without undue strain, pain, or effort differential.   Do this and play better golf...you have permission to be YOU!