Ball Flight and Spin Control
Understanding how the golf club will impact on the type of shot you hit is essential before you attempt to control ball flights and spin rates.
In the photo opposite you can see how the shaft has reacted to the shot.
The club head, shaft and grip are no longer in line; I call this ‘counter bow’.
This reaction will take place at some point in the swing and will either enhance the shot or dilute it of power and accuracy. Once the shaft has bowed to create the ‘whip’ at impact it will counter bow…and here lays the problem.
If you are not ‘tuned in’ to this effect then you will see ball flight distortion from no fault of your own. Golf club manufacturers are only too aware of the impact this will have on the player and promote the fact that the ball will fly higher.
However, this effect also produces club head rotation. By changing the profile of the club head in to ‘off set’ then you will exaggerate the effect creating ‘off set kick’.
If you are a prolific slicer then your slice will be reduced, but if you are looking to develop your skills then the feed back you get from each shot will be confusing. Any reduction in club head speed will reduce the effect of off set kick and visa versa.
This creates huge problems for the player who has varying club head speeds (everyone). A faster club head speed pulls the ball and a slower club head pushes the ball, both missing the target.
The question is….can you use this shaft bow to help you play better….of course you can.
If you have ever seen a class ball striker you would notice how the ball is powered low in the initial stages of flight (due to club head compressing the ball causing the ball to change shape) and then quickly climbs high to its flight peak as the spin takes hold.
This type of strike will only be achieved when you bend the shaft at the correct time allowing the shaft to straighten through impact creating a ball turf contact.
The trick is to align the shaft bow with the club face and ball allowing full transference of energy at impact.
When your technique doesn’t allow this to happen then you compromise the ball flight control and more importantly distance control.
“The golf ball will only react to the forces placed on it by the golf club and the golf club will only react to the forces placed on it by your body movements.”