Supposedly, books used by The PGA of America, in the past, stated, that the Clubhead Path was responsible for the starting direction of the ball's flight. Path was one of 5 "Ball Flight Laws". When folks talk about the so-called "new" Ball Flight Laws, there are referring to this one. Except that the science showing that the ball starts between the Path and Clubface, when the two are not square during collision, is not "new" at all. It was clearly shown in "Search For The Perfect Swing" from 1968.
Also, "Search" did show that a small misalignment from square of the Clubface to Path would create a rather prominent curve. It was clear that the Path direction would have to be aligned farther from the target than the Clubface was misaligned to the Path. But we really didn't know how much. We have a better idea now, thanks to TrackMan. As a general "Rule of Thumb", the Path should be aligned TWICE as far from the Target as the Clubface is misaligned to the Path. MORE when loft is less, like with driver.
TrackMan is wonderful and anyone wanting to learn more should read all of their newsletters on their website. It truly does "locate" the inclined plane. The Plane Line is termed Horizontal Swing Plane and is measured in degrees to the Target Line, which is user-specified. But TrackMan is not the first or only machine to measure Path and Clubface angle. In fact, TM doesn't actually "measure" Clubface, but rather, deduces it from other measured conditions. P3PRO can actually measure Clubface, with Path and Angle of Attack as well, for under a grand. I can tell you what the swing plane is with my V1 video analysis software. But I do want a TrackMan.
Thank you Max,
I think V1 is a real teachers tool.
I've never read the old laws but they don't seem to be Laws. I would like to study them anyway to find out where the glitch was.
I've studied "Search" for many years and keep a copy by my desk.
One thing we know for certain is that curving the ball is a matter of Clubface/Path and many other things, some more important than others.
But John says "The day any human lines the club face accurately to a target over 100 yards away will be the day." That's true if we're aiming at a pinpoint but it's not so bad when we're aiming at a zone. The same reality is true for someone aligning the clubface to a path he hasn't yet created. And that seems to be the procedure with the new Ball Flight Laws. My TGM Swing Pattern Alignments have never let me down.
But we have experience on our side and can adjust our Plane, Ball Position and Target Line fairly accurately.
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