How to Draw?

[Daryl]

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.

[Max Impact]

Cam someone define "Target Line" and "Line of Flight" in "the world according to Homer"?

[Daryl]

Cam someone define "Target Line" and "Line of Flight" in "the world according to Homer"?

Target Line is an invisible straight Line from the Ball to your intended Target. Line of Flight is the initial straight-away flight of the Ball in the context and aligned to the vertical Plane.

[Mike O]

Target Line is an invisible straight Line from the Ball to your intended Target. Line of Flight is the initial straight-away flight of the Ball in the context and aligned to the vertical Plane.

Daryl,
In the world according to Homer:
That's not correct - hopefully someone else can verify via book quotes the right answer.
The drawing's you did are really awesome - great skills to have - although they are not correct - again - you guys are wearing me out - maybe someone else can bring up the issues that are incorrect in them.

[Daryl]

The divergent Impact and Separation Vectors (2-C-1-1/2/3) are always equal in Angle and Force and therefore produce a bisecting Resultant Force Vector, square to both the Clubface and Leading Edge, and the Line of Flight Vector will be on a Centerline parallel to that Vector.

Sorry Mike. I stand corrected. I tend to take for granted some things after years of this. That's a good reason to memorize the book.

2-N-0 CLUBHEAD LINE OF FLIGHT The line of flight of the Clubhead and the Line of Flight of the ball are not the same but touch momentarily during Impact. 2-N-0 CLUBHEAD LINE OF FLIGHT The line of flight of the Clubhead and the Line of Flight of the ball are not the same but touch momentarily during Impact. The one has a vertical plane of action, the other an Inclined Plane.

[Yoda]

In the world according to Homer:
That's not correct - hopefully someone else can verify via book quotes the right answer.

Thanks, Mike.

Flight Line is the direct line to the Target.

Flight Path is the actual path of the Ball.

They often are not the same.

Intentionally or, more often, unintentionally!