Application of D-plane principles

[mjstrong]

Played a round today, armed with the D-plane knowledge that this site has given a lot of us. While you may not need to "change" what you do for most standard shots, I found that the most useful application for the D-plane principles, mainly the relationship between clubface (starting flight) and path (spin) to be in hitting those recovery shots. I now find it that much easier to be pretty darned accurate at hitting those low-hooking, or low-fading shots out the trees. I now expect to be able to control these kinds of shots (at least directionally) as well as a "stock" shot from the fairway.

There's an answer to some of those "how do we really use the d-plane information" guys...

 

[ggsjpc]

Sounds familiar.

 

[mjstrong]

If I fight the urge to experiment with the "aiming right, hitting up" Driver (or just get it right, I suppose), I wouldn't have to hit these recovery shots.

I can see how aiming right and hitting up is better, but I just can't rely on it as much as my "standard technique" yet...

 

[ggsjpc]

If I fight the urge to experiment with the "aiming right, hitting up" Driver (or just get it right, I suppose), I wouldn't have to hit these recovery shots.

I can see how aiming right and hitting up is better, but I just can't rely on it as much as my "standard technique" yet...

Which way do you tend to miss with this technique vs your standard technique?

 

[mjstrong]

Which way do you tend to miss with this technique vs your standard technique?

My standard technique is to aim down the left side of the fairway, and hit a straight ball, or a fade. Normally a lot of fairways.

EDIT: My normal miss with my standard technique would be too much fade...

When I aim right (horizontal plane) and try to swing up, I usually end up hitting a big block, or hitting a pull hook. The high, long, straight shot does show up once in a while, but not often enough to trust it in a round.

I think I must be swinging "out" too much in that new set up, instead of just letting the change in set up (horizontal plane) take care of that aspect. Thoughts? Thanks.

Mark

EDIT: If you asked the other pros around here that I play tournaments with, they would probably cite driving accuracy as my biggest strength. It's tough to fight the temptation to get a few more yards, however.

 

[ggsjpc]

My standard technique is to aim down the left side of the fairway, and hit a straight ball, or a fade. Normally a lot of fairways.

EDIT: My normal miss with my standard technique would be too much fade...

When I aim right (horizontal plane) and try to swing up, I usually end up hitting a big block, or hitting a pull hook. The high, long, straight shot does show up once in a while, but not often enough to trust it in a round.

I think I must be swinging "out" too much in that new set up, instead of just letting the change in set up (horizontal plane) take care of that aspect. Thoughts? Thanks.

Mark

EDIT: If you asked the other pros around here that I play tournaments with, they would probably cite driving accuracy as my biggest strength. It's tough to fight the temptation to get a few more yards, however.

Have you hit with a trackman? I'd agree with what you said. Probably the hitting up has also pushed your hsp more to the right. Tough to give away accuracy when you've had it for so long especially with the new groove rule coming down the pike.

 

[mjstrong]

Have you hit with a trackman? I'd agree with what you said. Probably the hitting up has also pushed your hsp more to the right. Tough to give away accuracy when you've had it for so long especially with the new groove rule coming down the pike.

I have hit on trackman, but not as "practice" or experimenting. Mostly just in club fitting scenarios. Again, I was pretty consistent, so wasn't looking to change much, but I've always been told (by club fitters) to tee it higher, and swing up more, in order to "maximize" my launch conditions.