Once a golf ball is struck it can take on one of nine basic ball flight characteristics. Observing the flight of a golf ball can tell the player what the "Cause and Effect" of the golf swing had on the flight of the ball.
There are three variables that affect the flight of the ball. Target Line, Swing Path and Clubhead Position.
Target Line is the line that we intend the ball to travel in a straight line to a specific target.
Swing Path is the path that the club is swung through the impact position.
Clubhead Position is the position of the clubhead in relationship to the swing path at impact.
Target Line - for a straight shot, the feet, shoulders, hips are aligned parallel to the target line. If your alignment and target line are incorrect, then that will affect the path the ball starts in. If you hit a ball offline, the first thing to check is your alignment. For our understanding of Ball Flight Laws, the target line will be a constant with the feet, shoulders, and hips in the proper position to swing towards our target.
Swing Path - the swing path will determine the initial direction that the ball with travel.
Clubhead Position - the position of the clubface at impact in relationship with the swing path will determine the amount of rotational spin the ball will have to slice or hook.
Nine Ball Flights and Results
(Target Line constant)
1. Swing Path straight, clubhead square - ball will start straight and continue straight. Good straight shot.
2. Swing Path straight, clubhead open - ball will start straight and then curve to the right. Fault - clubhead open at impact. Result - slice.
3. Swing path straight, clubhead closed - ball will start straight and then curve to the left. Fault - clubhead closed at impact. Result - hook.
4. Swing path inside out, clubhead square to path - ball will start to the right and continue on a straight line to the right (no curve). Fault - Inside out swing with body not turned to target. Result - Block Push
5. Swing path inside out, clubhead open to path - ball will start to the right and curve further to right (slicing). Fault - Inside out swing with body not turned to target and open clubface. Result - Block Slice
6. Swing path inside out, clubhead closed to path - ball will start to the right and curve back to target (hooking). Fault - Inside out swing with clubhead closed at impact. Result - right to left draw.
7. Swing path outside in, clubhead square to path - ball will start to the left and continue on a straight line to the left (no curve). Fault - Outside in swinging motion (Over the top). Result - Pull
8. Swing path outside in, with clubhead open to path - ball will start to the left and curve back to target (slicing). Fault - Outside in swinging motion (Over the top) with clubhead open. Result - Pull Slice.
9. Swing path outside in, with clubhead closed to path - ball will start to the left and curve further to the left. Fault - Outside in swinging motion (Over the top) with clubhead closed. Result - Pull Hook.
Knowing the flight of the ball will tell you what to look for in your golf swing. Check alignment first, then swing path and then clubface alignment.
written by
Earl Svenningsen
VIP Golf Academy
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