The Nine Laws of ball flight

[WorkerOfTheBall]

Hello guys,

Most of you know about the laws of ball flight, but I feel it can be helpful to show some of the newer players why a ball does what it does once it leaves the club. This can be helpful when trying to diagnose problems with ball flight on the course or while practicing on the range.

There are two issues that effect ball flight:
1. Path of swing through impact
2. Position of club face (e.g. closed, square or open).

A straight shot is created by a square club face and a straight (down the line) swing path.

A slice is attributed to an open club face and vice versa for a draw.

I believe it is important to analyze your ball flight on each shot, this can be a barometer for how you play a specific day or even for parts of a round.

In the chart below you can view the characteristics on how the ball 'performs' once struck.

The 3 lines leaving the center shows 'path of swing' while the curvature (or lack of) determines the position of the club face.

Hope this helps,
Doug

[JimmyJam]

Thanks for the graphic. I just picked up the game (seriously) two months ago. At the range this weekend about half of my drivers were from the #9 region, yikes...

[benhd1]

JimmyJam, I'm just getting back into this wonderful game...for years had similar 'push-slice'. Pro moved me closer to the ball and now I hit more drives straighter than ever before. Try to view some of Ringer's video's, he has helped me. Best of luck.

[JimmyJam]

JimmyJam, I'm just getting back into this wonderful game...for years had similar 'push-slice'. Pro moved me closer to the ball and now I hit more drives straighter than ever before. Try to view some of Ringer's video's, he has helped me. Best of luck.

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, I can't view any video here @ work, but I will definitely check them from home.

[VanillaEps]

Thanks for the graphic. I just picked up the game (seriously) two months ago. At the range this weekend about half of my drivers were from the #9 region, yikes...

I picked up the game around the same time you did. I have about two months under my belt as well. My advice to you would be to completely ignore the driver. Stamp down your irons before you move on to the woods and driver. Any problems with a swing will be magnified with the use of the driver.

[Spectrums]

I like my #7 shot... more known as a draw.

[Fried Egg]

These laws are great to know since you can make your own adjustments.

One thing to add:

these laws only work on shots that are hit in the center of the clubface, since shots struck off the toe or heel cause the ball to spin differently (see "gear effect").

[alf174]

For Xmas, I'd like Santa to bring me #3 and #7 and the ability to choose which one I want to hit.