Short-game implications of Trackman information

[James Marshall (Hogan1953)]

A lot has been written/discussed here and in the Trackman newsletters about the implications for the long game of the information emerging from the use of the equipment but I've seen little discussion of the implications for the short-game.

It seems to me that to a large extent the same considerations have to be taken into account and if, for example, the ball is played well to the right for a standard, low, running chip-shot then there must be a suitable compensation for the outward/downward blow delivered by shifting the horizontal plane to the left, even though it might be mitigated somewhat by the vertical angle of the shaft plane. Hence a slightly open stance.

Similarly with a lob shot, it would seem logical that the horizontal plane should be shifted to the right to compensate for a potentially upward/inward blow delivered just as with a driver. Is it enough to compensate opening the face? Could a closed stance line be appropriate here?

Any input from Trackman users would be much appreciated.

James

 

[Kevin Shields]

Some standard chip shots are hooked by good players, cancelling out the need to swing left. Also some hit it on the toe as well. Lob shots are personal. There is so much going on with the face with how it starts wide open and gets thrown past the hands that experimentation is prob best where to aim.

Not the answer you're looking for im sure, but short game is way more art than science. Unless you're talking about chain snapping, huh, Brian?

 

[Scott Fossum]

I've been very happy to see the TrackMan results and the D-Plane discussions. I would add two comments. One, I don't feel the short game is any more different than the long game, impact is impact, and the club still has a collision with the ball. Second, I'm excited to hear how this new technology can help students with their game. I hope Brian can give us some "real world" experiences with TrackMan and how it affects his teaching.
Finally, I remember being at a Jim McLean tecahing seminar in the late 90's and how he went on a major rant about how the PGA ball-flight laws were wrong and the clubface determined starting direction way more than path. When someone disagreed and said the "old" laws were valid he about poppped a blood vessel!

 

[Kevin Shields]

Impact definately isnt the same although i get what you're saying. There are sooo many different ways to hit it in the short game. Bumps, high friction, every where on the face, hands leading or behind. I want to know the guy who can preplan D plane on a lob shot. More power to him if he can.

I can also tell you having owned one for almost a year i cant imagine teaching without it. Makes life so much easier.

 

[softconsult]

I agree with Kevin that short game is too variable to make trackman useful.
I would also expect that the system design would have some parameters that would set some limit below which it wouldn't show any data.

My other thought as I read some of these threads is that while it's good to understand how to go about zeroing out, the reality of good golf to me is hitting shots. I have the impression that participants are focusing, almost entirely on, straight ball flight from a level stance. When you bring in all the variables like tilt, wind, how you feel that day, a lot of this comes down to creativity, and feel.

 

[mgranato]

If I understand correctly, the 3D Doppler gets some odd data once the ball gets closer to the ground. I think that accounts for the last bit of flight to be more or less calculated. I was either told or read that inside of 50 yards, the radar has some trouble collecting the same quality of data as it does in "normal" shots. Something about the ball speed being too slow or the swing speed being too slow. Someone correct me if this is way off.

 

[Kevin Shields]

You are right as well as the impact being too glancing

 

[birdie_man]

Impact definately isnt the same although i get what you're saying. There are sooo many different ways to hit it in the short game. Bumps, high friction, every where on the face, hands leading or behind. I want to know the guy who can preplan D plane on a lob shot. More power to him if he can.

I can also tell you having owned one for almost a year i cant imagine teaching without it. Makes life so much easier.

I very much still may be able to change it but for the longest time my pitching swing has been different than my full shot swing.

Less face rotation/more twistaway for starters.