Clubface Position at A5 - What is square

[mchepp]

Lately I have been looking at different players and their position at A5. Particularly players clubface position. The question for the experts @iacas and @mvmac is what is considered square at A5. Robert Rock looks to me to be open at A5. Jason Dufner is fractionally more closed that Rock but still open by my definition. So my questions are:

1. Are my assumptions about the clubface (open/square) right?

2. What is the affect of a closed clubface at A5?

3. What will the golfer do at A7 to compensate for the clubface being too closed?

In my swing I think I am too closed at A5 which leads me to have to compensate in the downswing.

Note: This is not something I am actively working on. I am laser focused on extension from A4 to A8, but more a curiosity in A5.

[saevel25]

I would say it depends on a lot of factors. The type of grip, how the person transitions the club, turn rates.

[MS256]

Interesting. I don't know much about it but from the pictures there seems to be a progressing common denominator in the three pictures.

Robert Rock has the shaft "aimed" above the ball.

Dufner has the shaft "aimed" pretty much at the ball.

Michael has the shaft "aimed" inside the ball.

I wonder if it's a coincidence that the club faces follow the same progressions?

[mchepp]

I would say it depends on a lot of factors. The type of grip, how the person transitions the club, turn rates.

Hmm, I am suspicious of this comment because we can agree at other positions (A2 or A4 for example) what is square and what is not. This is why I am wondering about A5.

Interesting. I don't know much about it but from the pictures there seems to be a progressing common denominator in the three pictures.

Robert Rock has the shaft "aimed" above the ball.

Dufner has the shaft "aimed" pretty much at the ball.

Michael has the shaft "aimed" inside the ball.

I wonder if it's a coincidence that the club faces follow the same progressions?

Good observation. I can do some more study to see if there is correlation to this theory.

[saevel25]

Hmm, I am suspicious of this comment because we can agree at other positions (A2 or A4 for example) what is square and what is not. This is why I am wondering about A5.

Good observation. I can do some more study to see if there is correlation to this theory.

If traditionally, square at the top means the clubface is inline with the shaft.

At A5, I would assume that some rotation back towards the swing path occurs, given not much because it is early in the downswing. So I would say square, you should be able to see maybe the toe of the clubface. If you wanted to define what square is.

I am not sure even looking at the clubface at this position is even that important.

You can easily look at A6 and see if the clubface is really closed or open, as well if the clubhead is inside or outside the hands for swing path.