Mechanics of Drive Swing

[ebough]

I spend way too much time thinking about the mechanics and physics of the golf swing, but would appreciate others' thoughts about this conundrum.

The driver should contact the golf ball with a slight degree of upswing, which is presumably why we all play the ball forward off the left heel for such a shot. So the center of the radius of the swing will always be behind the golf ball. That in turn means that the low point of the swing and the maximum distance of the clubhead outward will occur somewhere behind the ball. Then, and this is the perplexing part, as the swing continues, the clubhead will rise, close slightly, and move inward slightly before it actually contacts the ball. All of this would seem to result in a slight pull as the most powerful drive. It would also seem to argue that no matter how inside your backswing and downswing, there is a tiny amount of outside-in movement to the driver head if it is rising as it contacts the ball. Thoughts?

[Petden]

That is why a draw adds distance.

I think you have nailed it, with that. Thats why, I believe, mechanics should be stressed. Understanding how the swing works should give a golfer insight into their own swing and allow them to try out different methods and determine which suits their needs best.

[mm6840]

I spend way too much time thinking about the mechanics and physics of the golf swing, but would appreciate others' thoughts about this conundrum.

Yes and no ! If we talking about upswing hit with a driver ... my answer is yes.

But generally lenght of the shaft(shallower radius movements) and loft dictate sweeping impact. For that reason we play longer irons, woods and driver forward in the stance compared to the lower irons(the center of the swing is intact). Driver we can play like woods(and longer irons) ... in that case answer is no.

[Range King]

That is why a draw adds distance.

Isn't it the other way round?

Because of the forward ballposition, the clubface is not completely square and the swing direction is slightly outside-in, and so the result of the stroke is a draw?

[Scott_Tee]

You think way to much.. keep you balance, head down, concentrate on hitting the ball, and setup correctly. Often swing problems is due a one or just a few simple misques.

[Eeryck]

I spend way too much time thinking about the mechanics and physics of the golf swing, but would appreciate others' thoughts about this conundrum.

This is correct.

So the center of the radius of the swing will always be behind the golf ball. That in turn means that the low point of the swing and the maximum distance of the clubhead outward will occur somewhere behind the ball.

I think you are trying to describe something here that needs a small bit of refinement for others to understand better. (or at least for me to better visualize it) However, I think the next two comments should clear some things up.

Then, and this is the perplexing part, as the swing continues, the clubhead will rise, close slightly, and move inward slightly before it actually contacts the ball.

The club head closing is a function of club release. If you are swinging from inside to out then back in after impact and you don't rotate your forearms through your swing you can hold the clubface wide open. Some Pro's play a power fade with the driver by holding the club face slightly open through impact.

All of this would seem to result in a slight pull as the most powerful drive. It would also seem to argue that no matter how inside your backswing and downswing, there is a tiny amount of outside-in movement to the driver head if it is rising as it contacts the ball. Thoughts?

The way you described it will be a slight pull, however if you are coming from the inside until you start to release the club, you can still be inside-out and start the ball moving in a push direction to make your draw.

Since the club is moving in a circular motion around your body, if you change your frame of reference to the ball instead of the ground you don't have the traditional low point. The low point of the swing is only when you use a ground reference. Otherwise all points on your swing arc are equidistant from the center and the moves the club make are a function of timing, not position with reference to ground. -E

[Eeryck]

Also, a square club face, or nearly square will give your greatest distance. The draw will give slightly more roll out and the fade a bit more drop out of the air and stop.

Jack Nicholas does a great job describing this in "Golf My Way" if you want to find out more than the quick blurb above.

-E

[wachesawgolfer]

I spend way too much time thinking about the mechanics and physics of the golf swing, but would appreciate others' thoughts about this conundrum.

As you know the ideal swing bottoms out after we hit the ball with any club, yet we are still hitting down on the ball, which is why the good divot is after the ball. I think we still hit down with the driver but the fact the ball is teed up allows a flatter swing with no ground strike. I think the forward ball position is more to allow the clubface to square with such a long club as opposed to hit the ball on the upswing. Otherwise you would be setting up inches behind the ball and hitting down to a spot well behind the ball which is not what we see anyone doing, to have their swing hit upwards on the ball. I think, the idea of hitting up on the ball with the driver is not what is happening to determine the launch angle which comes more from a good impact postion of the left wrist/hand.

[ks8829]

I have a compact driver swing after practicing my chipping for the last week. I have been hitting my drives consistently solid and hitting more fairways, my last two rounds I only missed 2 fairways.