Michael Breed Answers the Clubface/Swing Path Question

[david_wedzik]

So how do we put this in practice on the range or the course? In situations other than not aiming your clubface at the target a la Faldo when working the ball.

Aim the clubface where you want the ball to START...and yes...if you are aiming correctly and the ball STARTS right your clubface was open. If the ball STARTS left then the clubface was closed. CURVE comes from the relationship of that face angle and the path.

Dave

[iacas]

Nice! Do you get anything other than a reply, if that, for getting your question on Golf fix?

Just two or three seconds of my allotted 15 minutes down the drain.

So how do we put this in practice on the range or the course? In situations other than not aiming your clubface at the target a la Faldo when working the ball.

Dave answered, but here you go:

http://thesandtrap.com/playing_tips/ball_flight_laws . That's how you put it into play and what some of the misconceptions are. Includes Breed and Faldo.

[Keep It Simple]

The in-studio state of the art analysis equipment he keeps gushing over should give him all the correct answers. This being said I like Michael Breed. He is the right host for this show. Golf swing instruction can get quite dry for some and he at least is interesting to watch.

[iacas]

The in-studio state of the art analysis equipment he keeps gushing over should give him all the correct answers. This being said I like Michael Breed. He is the right host for this show. Golf swing instruction can get quite dry for some and he at least is interesting to watch.

The in-studio system put one of his drivers launching at 18 degrees last night.

[The_Pharaoh]

I have just finished a course at the Spanish Golf Federation on Ball Flight Laws. Out of 33 pros/pros to be, I was the only one that knew the new ball flight laws. Fortunately, the 3 instructors teaching the course knew them as well. No one believed me before the course started! Thanks The Sand Trap for keeping me ahead of the game!

[FHopper]

I have just finished a course at the Spanish Golf Federation on Ball Flight Laws. Out of 33 pros/pros to be, I was the only one that knew the new ball flight laws. Fortunately, the 3 instructors teaching the course knew them as well. No one believed me before the course started! Thanks The Sand Trap for keeping me ahead of the game!

That is cool, congrats! Is there a driving range at Gibralter?

[The_Pharaoh]

That is cool, congrats! Is there a driving range at Gibralter?

I'm sure there is (I'm based in Madrid btw)!

[Rexx]

I can't help but laugh that most beginner golfers first started to play they had it right all along. I remember hitting the ball to the right and thinking, "I must have the club face open". Then, I became 'educated' and learned that it was my swing path that was the problem. Then, as I was getting better and trying to learn an intentional draw or fade, I would make the 'appropriate' stance and club face setup, but just ended up knocking it into the tree I was trying to curve around. Eventually, I just gave up on the whole thing and just hit my stock straight/slight draw shot no matter the situation (taking my medicine if it wasn't available). Now that I'm armed with this new info, I'm curious to try it out (sometime after the couple of feet of snow melts).

[The_Pharaoh]

I'm just glad I decided to give Stack & Tilt a try because it was in the book that just came out where it mentioned the new ball flight laws. I remember reading the section over and over again in the book as I couldn't believe my eyes! That led me back here to check it out and make sure I wasn't going mad.

[Keep It Simple]

Aim the clubface where you want the ball to START...and yes...if you are aiming correctly and the ball STARTS right your clubface was open. If the ball STARTS left then the clubface was closed. CURVE comes from the relationship of that face angle and the path.

This is where it is extra important to know the laws. It's one thing to aim your clubface at address and another to have it aimed at impact.

[madcityscott]

Yeah, his teaching seems to be entirely based upon the old "swing path" method, but Dave correctly guessed that if he was asked the question directly he'd look it up and get the right answer. I haven't seen it yet (and it's not really proof, so I may move this post to another thread).

Actually, he's been saying it since at least 2008. From his book "The Picture-Perfect Golf Swing":

"There is always an explanation for what occurs when you hit a golf ball. In fact, let's start with the only real truth in golf: the clubface angle and the path of the club are the only things that affect the direction of the golf ball. The clubface is the most integral factor in the flight of the ball. At impact, the clubface must be pointing toward where you intend the ball to go, because the clubface will override the club's path. [...] The speed with which the club is traveling, the quality of the hit as it relates to the sweet spot, and the path of the club will all affect the distance the ball travels, but the clubface ultimately gives the ball direction." "I implore you to get control over the clubface first, then work on changing the club path. It is a rare situation when I will go about trying to improve a student's swing by changing the path first; I will almost always make it a priority to have a correct clubface."

[iacas]

Actually, he's been saying it since at least 2008. From his book "The Picture-Perfect Golf Swing":

Reading it, I'd call the quote you provided as muddy at best. People want the ball to "go" (in the end) to the target, but they don't want the ball to "start" there. Know what I mean?

[14ledo81]

Erik, Did your facebook friend who "enlightened" you respond after you showed him the sand trap link?

[raycharles]

Way Cool Eric! Congrats on getting on the Golf Channel. I like Michael Breed's enthousiasm for the game. He's hyper, but very entertaining. I would love to have that studio setup in my basement.

I believe there are good teachers and there are good players. The good players are just that. Many good players couldn't teach the swing at all. Would you like a lesson on proper swing plane from Boo Weekly? Mike Breed is a great swing coach, but I bet Faldo would beat him like a drum. Consequently, I found Faldo's explanation confusing. He's a great player, but perhaps that's it. Just a great player with great ability and a bad instructor.

[iacas]

Erik, Did your facebook friend who "enlightened" you respond after you showed him the sand trap link?

I have not heard from

Pete that guy since, no.

[iacas]

Original question:



(Monday's show? Duh. Like he'd address this in Tuesday's show . Derrr.)