Knowing the basics of ball flight

Knowing the basics of ball flight is a short golf blog post explaining the important factors that alter everyone’s ball flight.

To make this as easy as possible to understand, firstly, I need to explain the basics of the swing path.

Most people know that a swing from out-to-in will be one of the causes of a Slice.
By the same knowledge, an in-to-out swing will be one of the causes of a Hook.
Sadly, most golfers seem to understand that to hit a straight shot you need to create a straight swing!

Spoiler alert!! A straight swing does not exist. To hit a straight shot you need to swing from in-to-square-to-in.

What affects the ball flight.

There are two basic factors that will change your ball flight. These are the Swing path and the clubface.
I have always worked to the following principle
The swing path controls the first half of the ball flight.
The clubface controls the second half of the ball flight.
The swing path is the direction that the clubhead takes through the golf ball. It also determines where the ball will start its flight in relation to the target.
The clubface will determine the second part of the flight. It will also determine where the ball will finish in relation to the target.

The loft on the clubface, at the time of impact, will determine how high the ball flies. This is called the dynamic loft.

Basic ball flight principles.

In-to-square-to-in swing path

Straight Shot – The swing path will be from in-to-square-to-in – The clubface will be square to the target at impact.

In-to-out swing paths.

Push – The swing path will be from in-to-out – The clubface will be square to the swing path or open to the target.

Draw – The swing path will be from in-to-out – The clubface will be square to the target or closed to the swing path.

Hook – The swing path will be from in-to-out – The clubface will be closed to both the target and the swing path.

Push Slice – The swing path will be from in-to-out – The clubface will be open to both the target and the swing path.

Out-to-in swing paths.

Pull – The swing path will be from out-to-in – The clubface will be square to the swing path or closed to the target.

Fade – The swing path will be from out-to-in – The clubface will be square to the target or open to the swing path.

Slice – The swing path will be from out-to-in – The clubface will be open to both the target and the swing path.

Pull Hook – The swing path will be from out-to-in – The clubface will be closed to both the target and the swing path.

Knowing the basics of ball flight is an absolute must if you wish to improve your game.

For more information or swing advice, visit the PGA website and use the “Find A Golf Lesson”

What are your thoughts regarding ball flights?

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