Vol. 17: How I Double My Miss
ast week, I delved into the secrets of finding your dispersion with each club. Why? So you can make better decisions on the green and keep your hopes in check. This week, we’re on a quest for a deeper understanding of shot shape and smarter target choices. I've conjured up some visuals to illustrate these concepts, and they're coming your way in this week’s edition of the Newsletter.
Cracking the Code: Face-to-Path Relationship
First things first – understanding what drives the ball’s trajectory is fundamental. I haven't had the time to whip up graphics and videos (blame it on the relentless swing practice!), so I’ve got some ready-made resources for you this week. The video and graphic will help you decode the mystery behind the ball’s flight. Trust me, this insight will bolster the strategies I've lined up for you in this newsletter.
Trackman explanation of face-to-path - VIDEO
Face-To-Path Chart - GOOGLE IMAGE
Maximizing Your Room for Error
Let's talk targets! The chart below assumes a 'down the middle' start line – marked by that snazzy red dashed line. It shows the 30-yard buffer zones on each side of the line before you encounter trouble. Trouble lies 30 yards to the right and left, giving you some wiggle room. But, seriously, doesn’t that seem like a lot of room?
To help us understand how much margin of error you have at the moment of impact, I’ve put together the chart below for you.
(Based on a 250-yard tee shot with the Driver)
In our example above, based off these numbers, you can only allow the club face to be 2 degrees left or right to keep the ball in play.
That’s right… 2 DEGREES!!!!
That’s not a lot of room for error. If you need to refresh you memory of what a 2 degree left/right club face looks like, make sure you check out this article from Adam Young.
What happens when you learn how to control the club face and keep the club face in one direction?
Take a look into the chart below. This example assumes you have learned to work the ball to the right, and due to your hard work and commitment you choose a different start line.
Yes, I do feel like this is an appropriate time to reference a fantastic film moment!
And just like that, you’ve nearly doubled the amount of room in one direction that you can hit the ball without finding trouble.
You can now have your club face up to 4 degrees to the right at impact and still keep the ball in play.
Now, you might be thinking, “But I only have 10 yards to miss it left... If I don’t nail the right shot, I’m definitely in a jam.” Oh, I hear you loud and clear!
Yet, I'm here to nudge you toward a different approach.
It's time to ditch the quest for that perfectly straight shot off the tee. Let's face it, straight shots with the driver? They're as rare as a hole-in-one. I'd advise against aiming for it.
Instead, embrace the shape you've got or put in some range time to master a specific shot shape and commit to it.
Remember, commitment is key. You'll always see better results when you fully commit to a shot instead of being wishy-washy.
Questions from my Wife Who Doesn’t Golf
👩 Wife: What golf ball should you use when you are first starting out?
🏌️♂️ Me: Something inexpensive! Just grab the best deal in the pro shop. In the initial stages, you'll likely lose a fair number of balls, so starting with a budget-friendly option makes sense. It doesn't significantly matter when you're just beginning.
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