Increasing Angle Of Attack & Lowering Spin Rate

[Mulligan Jeff]

While at Golfsmith they tracked me on Shot Analysis hitting some drives. My angle of attack averaged -0.5 and spin rate averaged 3320. What do I have to do to improve in these areas?

[jbishop15]

Sounds like you're hitting down on the driver. Moving the ball forward in your stance might help push that -.5 number closer to a zero or maybe even a plus.

[Mulligan Jeff]

Sounds like you're hitting down on the driver. Moving the ball forward in your stance might help push that -.5 number closer to a zero or maybe even a plus.

Thanks j I'll try that I been reading about AoA averages on PGA & LPGA Tours the men average -1.3 whereas the women average +3.0 not sure what that's all about.

[jbishop15]

Thanks j I'll try that I been reading about AoA averages on PGA & LPGA Tours the men average -1.3 whereas the women average +3.0 not sure what that's all about.

Hitting up on the ball (the positive number) creates more distance than hitting down on the ball (negative number). LPGA Tour players tend to hit up to maximize distance with lower swing speeds, while the PGA Tour players have enough swing speed to produce distance even while hitting down.

Hitting up is definitely better.

[Mulligan Jeff]

Hitting up on the ball (the positive number) creates more distance than hitting down on the ball (negative number). LPGA Tour players tend to hit up to maximize distance with lower swing speeds, while the PGA Tour players have enough swing speed to produce distance even while hitting down. Hitting up is definitely better.

Ok j I get that what about lowering the spin rate I read I need to hit the sweet spot dead on to get lower numbers, possibly change to another ball and look for a shaft that can lower spin rate?? Can't imagine a shaft that can possibly lower spin rate.

[jbishop15]

Ok j I get that what about lowering the spin rate I read I need to hit the sweet spot dead on to get lower numbers, possibly change to another ball and look for a shaft that can lower spin rate?? Can't imagine a shaft that can possibly lower spin rate.

Hitting up will lower spin rate, as will switching to a less spinny ball. I've heard good things in that regard about the Bridgestone B330 and the Taylormade TP5. I've had good results in the past with the B330; got tested by a Bridgestone rep and it lowered my spin rate.

[mvmac]

What do I have to do to improve in these areas?

Start hitting up a degree or two

[joekelly]

If proven that hitting up on driver is 'better' (longer, less spin) why would anyone purposely hit down on the ball, as some male pros do?  Does hitting down give more control, or lower ball  flight?   Or what?

I know that maybe some pros learned to hit down and change is not easy so they continue.  Is it like a bad habit? Wanna quit but can't.

[jbishop15]

If proven that hitting up on driver is 'better' (longer, less spin) why would anyone purposely hit down on the ball, as some male pros do?  Does hitting down give more control, or lower ball  flight?   Or what? I know that maybe some pros learned to hit down and change is not easy so they continue.  Is it like a bad habit? Wanna quit but can't.

They can hit it far hitting down, so for many of there is no reason to change.

[Mulligan Jeff]

I been reading all this stuff the last couple days that I never knew like the ultimate sweet spot on driver is above center of clubhead. A negative number on AoA helps control ball better - not sure about that one?

[mvmac]

If proven that hitting up on driver is 'better' (longer, less spin) why would anyone purposely hit down on the ball, as some male pros do?  Does hitting down give more control, or lower ball  flight?   Or what?

I know that maybe some pros learned to hit down and change is not easy so they continue.  Is it like a bad habit? Wanna quit but can't.

Hitting down doesn't automatically give you more control and neither does hitting the ball lower.

Pros don't purposely hit down, a good amount of them probably don't even know their angle of attack numbers. They're just making their swing. With the ones that do, it's starting to change

Rory McIlroy swings up and is able to hit it pretty far and in the fairway.

They can hit it far hitting down, so for many of there is no reason to change.

Yes because of the ball speed they can produce, they can "get away" with hitting down a degree or two.

I been reading all this stuff the last couple days that I never knew like the ultimate sweet spot on driver is above center of clubhead. A negative number on AoA helps control ball better - not sure about that one?

Hitting up can actually help you "compress" (deform) the ball more.

[Mulligan Jeff]

Hitting down doesn't automatically give you more control and neither does hitting the ball lower. Pros don't purposely hit down, a good amount of them probably don't even know their angle of attack numbers. They're just making their swing. With the ones that do, it's starting to change  [CONTENTEMBED=/t/74429/evolution-of-high-launch-and-low-spin layout=inline]​[/CONTENTEMBED]  Rory McIlroy swings up and is able to hit it pretty far and in the fairway. Yes because of the ball speed they can produce, they can "get away" with hitting down a degree or two. Hitting up can actually help you "compress" (deform) the ball more.

I gotta work on hitting up on ball to reduce spin. Went back to Golfsmith today and hit shots on Shot Analysis first 6 swings avg. 92 mph getting 230-235 yards - sales guy had me switch to 7.5 degree driver ss avg. was 95 getting 255-367 yards. Why better with lower loft not sure?

[Mulligan Jeff]

That's 255-267

[joekelly]

Whoa.  That's awesome.  SS of 92 gets you 234 yards?  Y not me 2?  That's carry or full run out on the Texas range in mid-August.?

[Mulligan Jeff]

Full run Joe I know not much, below is the average for 13 swings: ss: 93, ballspeed: 135.9, launch angle: 12.9, AoA: -1.6, sidespin: -311backspin: 2945, total spin: 3030, descent angle: 39, carry: 221.79total distance: 246.47, offline: -23.66, peak height: 30.82

[Mr. Desmond]

Full run Joe I know not much, below is the average for 13 swings:

ss: 93, ballspeed: 135.9, launch angle: 12.9, AoA: -1.6, sidespin: -311backspin: 2945, total spin: 3030, descent angle: 39, carry: 221.79total distance: 246.47, offline: -23.66, peak height: 30.82

Personally, I don't pay attention to LM Distance figures, except to compare drivers...

From what little I know (disclaimer), at that SS, launch seems low, AOA is still 2 degrees too low minimum, spin could be lower.

Did you read the link mvmac offered? Line the ball up off the big toe of the lead foot, close the stance slightly, tee the ball up a bit more and make upper center contact....

Loft of 7.5 at that SS means something is askew...

[Mulligan Jeff]

Personally, I don't pay attention to LM Distance figures, except to compare drivers... From what little I know (disclaimer), at that SS, launch seems low, AOA is still 2 degrees too low minimum, spin could be lower. Did you read the link mvmac offered? Line the ball up off the big toe of the lead foot, close the stance slightly, tee the ball up a bit more and make upper center contact.... Loft of 7.5 at that SS means something is askew...

You're right on Mr. D I will be working on increasing AoA and lowering backspin. I'll use mvmac,s tips but why the closed stance?

[Mr. Desmond]

You're right on Mr. D I will be working on increasing AoA and lowering backspin. I'll use mvmac,s tips but why the closed stance?

If you look in the last part of that thread, I believe it has James Hirschfield showing the closed stance. Why? Because the ball position off the left toe can lead to a fade; if you want to offset the fade, close slightly. But I'd probably lay off the closed stance until you get the fade and either decide to keep it, or close the feet and compare.

And when you address the ball, a common error is for the hips and shoulders  to still remain open even with a square stance -- so square up hips and shoulders (by closing them to a square position).