As I mentioned in the last post, there are 4 influences on the flight of the golf ball. The first influence that I will cover is the golf clubface. Where the clubface points, the golf ball will ultimately end up. Quite simply if the clubface at impact is pointed left of the intended target it will ultimately end up left of your target. It should make common sense that the clubface must be square to the target at impact for the ball to go straight.
The only part of your body that is connected to the implement that strikes the ball are your hands. The very way you hold the club has a bearing on the position of the clubface at impact. The way you grip the club can overcome some very poor swing tendencies. Ideally, your hands should be parallel to one another. Holding the club in the fingers of your left hand (right handed golfer) so that it parallel to the clubface, place your right hand on the club so that the palm of your right hand falls over the thumb of you left hand. Done properly both hands are parallel to the clubface. It does not matter if you overlap your little finger on your right hand between the forefinger and middle finger of your left hand or if you interlock those fingers or if you have all ten fingers in the golf grip. My experience is that people with short fingers prefer either an interlocking or 10 finger grip. As long as both hands are parallel to the clubface you should be all set as long as you have a great golf swing. Most of you reading this blog do not have a great golf swing so here is where your first bit of ball flight theory comes in handy.
If your grip is correct but your golf shots consistently slice to the right, the flight of the ball tells you immediately that the clubface was open (pointed to the right of the intended target) at impact with the golf ball. One way to correct this open clubface at impact would be to strengthen your grip ( move your left hand slightly to the right with the right hand following and the palm of the right hand on top of the thumb of the left hand. If you have read the About Page on this blog it is mentioned that I actively worked the mens and womens tours promoting a new metalwood in 1983 ( this also proves I’m the Old Pro ). This is a long time ago but this post subject reminded me of a very fine touring pro that I had worked with. His name is Ed Fiori. Ed is a fine player. He has won 4 times on the PGA Tour and once on the Champions Tour. You can not imagine how hard it is to win on the PGA Tour. I have the utmost respect for anyone who has accomplished that. His nickname on tour was “grip”. He had a very, very strong grip but it was necessary with his swing to bring the club back to the ball in a square position. What I am trying to say , as far as this portion of ball flight theory is that the club must return to an impact position square to your target in order to hit a straight shotl. The golf ball does not care how you do it or what it looks like as long as you can do it.
If you take this advice and practice by adjusting your grip a little at a time until you can see a difference in your ball flight you will be on your way to better, more enjoyable golf. This is the first of 4 ball flight principles. In my next post we will talk about the second influence on the flight of the golf ball, the ” Swing Path” Until then, Good Golfing!!!
