Clubhead vs. Clubface/Path

[birdie_man]

True or False:

For a "stock shot" (one with "normal" clubface control- for you)....

Once you get to the point where your clubface and path control are very good- mechanically very efficient....

All you really need to WORRY about is low point (clubhead) control to keep "reproducing".....and to hit to a trajectory.

(i.e. clubface and path are already "set"....you put em on auto)

...

Good statement?

 

[Spike]

Hey there your Birdness!!!

For me low point in taken care of automatically when I'm fully uncocked before the hinge choice takes place. So I don't really worry about it unless I have some kind of swaying problem....which can happen after a late night in Thighland.....in that case low point is the least of my worries

 

[Ryan Smither]

In my mind, clubface control and path direction are constantly changing...

How much you deviate from your "ideal" path/face relationship when you're "off" separates the good players from great ones...

 

[birdie_man]

Hey there your Birdness!!!

Very creative Spike(ski).....I like it.

For me low point in taken care of automatically when I'm fully uncocked before the hinge choice takes place. So I don't really worry about it unless I have some kind of swaying problem....which can happen after a late night in Thighland.....in that case low point is the least of my worries

I see what you mean....if I have a driver or normal long iron shot in hand I pretty much just setup and rip it. Don't really think of low point....the ball gets in the way.

And I guess even if I wasn't doing much float loading I would pretty much just setup with more weight forward then pull the club down to its low point. (more automatic)

But then, for me, if I really wanted to hit a low punch (PUNCH!) long iron.....super under the wind or w/e. For me- same face control....same path.......big-time "drop and pivot." (more float)

If I really want to lean the shaft over....for a low shot with whatever club I find really having that forward low point in mind helps.

In my mind, clubface control and path direction are constantly changing...

How much you deviate from your "ideal" path/face relationship when you're "off" separates the good players from great ones...

They may be changing somewhat.....but I'm saying- most of the time....do you do it consciously? (and I mean for your stock shot of whatever height)

I think I see what u mean about the good/great players thing.....

I know Brian has said there's lots of real good players....on THE Tour even.....with great clubhead control but so-so face/path control.

i.e. lots of guys can really hit it solid but they don't always know where it's going.

 

[kmcg858585]

I think I understand what you're saying. I've never been much of a mechanics type of guy I sort of just picked up a club when I was very young and started playing, so at this point most of what I do is pretty automatic and I don't really think about all that much during my swing. I think everyone sort of focuses on what they have trouble with, for me I'm always thinking about the path of the club and getting it on a good plane, club face control and low point just aren't things I think about. But I'm also not the type to really know what I would think about so much, so I suppose it's sort of a knowledge things as well...

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

What separates good players from the great players is clubface control. I don't care if you are a semi-flipping PGA tour professional or a +1 handicap, clubface control is the difference.

 

[Fingersen]

Is there any way that great players can improve their clubface control and be as good as the tour professional? Or is this just a talent one is born with and not obtainable through practice? If not, how would you guys have a almost tour professional practice to improve his clubface control in order to become a tour professional?

 

[bts]

mental control

Is there any way that great players can improve their clubface control and be as good as the tour professional? Or is this just a talent one is born with and not obtainable through practice? If not, how would you guys have a almost tour professional practice to improve his clubface control in order to become a tour professional?

Tour professionals all have much better mental control.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Explaining the unexplainable.

Once upon a time there were three golfers. One of them played much better than the other two, even though "in person" the "untrained eye" would have picked them in opposite order.

In order to explain this seemingly magical difference in their scoring abilities, one would come up with all sorts of theories.

"Well the one who shoots the lowest scores is a better strategist."

"The guy who is playing the best has the best mental control."

"It is obvious that player #1 'manages his game' better."

Baloney!

The best player, was the best player becuase he had better THROUGH THE BALL ALIGNMENTS.

Period. End of story.

Tom Bartlett and Michael Finney didn't wind up on tour because their teacher didn't know enough about THROUGH THE BALL ALIGNMENTS.

But he learned. So there is still hope for those guys!

Even at the very highest levels it is all about THROUGH THE BALL ALIGNMENTS.

That's all the ball knows!

The mental stuff is easy when the ball goes where you are lookin'.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Oh yeah, and one more thing....

The famous philosopher Donald Paul Villavaso on young golfers contemplating whether to "go on the road" to try to make it as Tour players:

"Don't leave home unless you are the best putter in your state."​

Oh yeah, Don's always right. The player #1 above, WAS and IS the "best putter in his state."

As well as one of the best players of all time from 10-30 yards with a wedge.

 

[bts]

Or the other way around?

..............................

That's all the ball knows!

The mental stuff is easy when the ball goes where you are lookin'.

The ball knows only about the impact, which knows only about the clubhead momentum, which knows only about the body movement, which knows only about the order fired from the mind.

The ball stuff is easy when the mind can be managed properly.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Good theory...but...

The player in question has NO IDEA about what "orders" to give.

(Well he knows a little now, but back then...next to ZERO...he just could DO IT!)

 

[Spike]

It seems there are only 2 things we have to control.......the club.....and ourselves.

Learning to control the club helps on the path of learning to control ourselves. Club control clears up a lot of doubt as to what is going on in the swing.......less doubt......fewer questions.....more freedom to perform.

Your club doesn't know you but you can get to know your club.