Reading your shots can be a benefit when it comes to correcting swing problems. If you understand what makes the ball start in a curtain direction, and why it curves, it may help you diagnose your swing fault. Here are a couple of facts you should take in consideration.
First, 70 percent of why the ball curves is the angle of the clubface at impact. Second, is the path or plane in which the club is traveling through impact.
When giving a lesson one of the first things I look for is where the ball starts when it leaves the club and how the ball is curving. Second, I look at the impact area to see what if there’s a divot or not. For example (for the right handed player), if the ball starts left of the target and then curves to the right and there’s a deep divot, this indicates the path of the club is traveling from the outside the target line on a steep vertical path moving across to the left with the club face open producing a pull slice. The correction first would be to shallow the swing path traveling more from the inside of the target line.
Second, you would need to get the clubface square at impact. Some of the common problems we see in the squaring clubface are the position of the hands on the club, and the grip pressure is most likely too tight. This will inhibit the wrist to hinge and unhinge properly not allowing the club head to square at impact. By keeping your grip pressure light and your arms relaxed, this will allow the club to square it self without any manipulation.
The result, you should start to see the ball curving slightly from right to left, plus you will see less divot and more solid contact.
In review, knowing the direction the ball starts and how it curves will help you eliminate unnecessary swing changes.
If you still are having struggling with these issues or you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (408) 463-1800×118 or email dl****@*********ke.com
Don Leone is currently the Director of Instruction at the Coyote Creek Golf Club in Morgan Hill. Recently voted one of Northern California’s top ten Instructors of 2005 and selected as one of Silicon Valley’s top instructor of 2003-2004. Don’s career spans over 25 years of golf instruction. He now serves as the Director of Instruction at Coyote Creek Golf Club. He currently is a lead instructor for the ESPN Golf schools working throughout the U.S. and in 2001 was the lead instructor for the Nicklaus/Flick Faults and Cure Schools at Coyote Creek.
