D-Plane Punch Shots

[Brian Manzella]

I (and I've noticed many other people) tend to hook knockdown shots. I play the ball back, maybe halfway between the center and right foot, might have my weight a little left at address. The shot has the lower trajectory that was intended, but a lot of times has a hook on it I did not intend. I have my ideas about why this happens, but I would like to hear Brian's and everyone else's.

D-Plane!!!!!

D Plane, boss, D Plane! How does the D plane help understand the "punch" shot?

old time pros used to use super spinny balls and the knockdown technique of putting the ball back and hitting way down with tons of lean. how did they get away with not balooning the shot when every pro these days says to take 3 extra clubs and swing super easy?

some time ago, you addressed the Knockdown shot. One thing mentioned was a limited pivot through the ball...

Is there a difference on ball flight between a knockdown, punch shot, and stinger?

"Knockdown"
________________________________________
1. Weight Set 65-35 on the left.

2. Stay centered enough on the backswing to limit the length of swing some.

3. Arched left wrist at impact.

4. Slow start down.

5. Limited pivot through the ball.

6. Slight slide forward of tailbone EARLY in the downswing or before!

7. 70% speed.

8. Enough club to get the job done.
__________________
The IMPERATIVES should dictate the components—not the other way around.

So...

 

[Brian Manzella]

What is a Punch Shot and How Do You Hit a Straight One?

What is a Punch Shot and How Do You Hit a Straight One?

[In this example, we are 160 yards from the target, no wind, and we want to hit a straight shot]

We are talking about what THE BALL DOES....​

Our little word problem:

Regular Shot from 160 yards: A full 7-iron with "normal" trajectory. Flies 159.5 straight at the target, skips straight forward to 161 yards, and spins back in the hole.

numbers:
34° of club loft, 3° of downward strike, 31° of delivered loft, 22.3° trajectory, 0° face angle
​

Punch Shot from 160 yards: A shot that flies noticeably lower, and spins more than the "regular shot." Lands at 150 yards, skips three times straight forward to 159 yards and 2 feet, and releases one foot and rolls in the hole.

How do we actually DO this, understanding the scientific reality of the D-Plane?

If we have a 12° of downward strike (NOT THE SAME THING AS FORWARD LEAN), we need to AIM (and [or] swing) 22.4 yards to the left, and have the clubface square at impact, which is 8° open to the PLANE LINE!!!

numbers:
30° of club loft (six iron), 12° of downward strike, 18° of delivered loft, 14.7° trajectory, 0° face angle
​

How 'bout dem apples!!!!

 

[BurnItUp]

Where did you get them apples (figures)?

 

[Brian Manzella]

Where did you get them apples (figures)?

It took a little while, about 10 loose leaf sheets of paper, one valium, two days on TRACKMAN, 3 seminars, and a couple of hours on the calculator.

Better to ask me about a specific number.

 

[suns11111]

great info as always!

 

[BurnItUp]

3 degrees of downward strike with a 7 iron?

Are you sure about that?

Some tour players have more downward strike with the driver.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Numbers

Trackman's presentation at last week's AMF Teaching Summit which I attended, said that 3° downward was average for the 1000's of shots they have captured on Tour.

But this post is all about what you have to do to hit a straight knockdown-punch-trapped, straight ball.



Any now, you, and others, know the truth.

 

[thefuture37]

Trackman's presentation at last week's AMF Teaching Summit which I attended, said that 3° downward was average for the 1000's of shots they have captured on Tour.

was that the average for every shot they measured(like drivers, every number of iron, wedges) or did they sort them out by club(or loft)? If its the former, i don't see how that number can be very useful.

 

[Damon Lucas]

How much forward lean is 3 degrees of downward attack, Brian?

 

[Brian Manzella]

was that the average for every shot they measured(like drivers, every number of iron, wedges) or did they sort them out by club(or loft)? If its the former, i don't see how that number can be very useful.

Iron shots.

 

[thefuture37]

Iron shots.

do most tour pros have a relatively constant amount of forward lean throughout their irons(on a stock trajectory shot)?

 

[pecky987]

would the punch shot go "straight", as in no sideways curvature?

 

[Brian Manzella]

would the punch shot go "straight", as in no sideways curvature?

Yup.

 

[thefuture37]

do most tour pros have a relatively constant amount of forward lean throughout their irons(on a stock trajectory shot)?

?

 

[Bigwill]

If we have a 12° of downward strike (NOT THE SAME THING AS FORWARD LEAN)...

Could you explain the distinction you make between downward strike and forward lean, and their effects on ballflight?


Thanks

 

[pecky987]

Could you explain the distinction you make between downward strike and forward lean, and their effects on ballflight?


Thanks

you can a very far forward leaning shaft and be past low point

 

[psteiner]

What is a Punch Shot and How Do You Hit a Straight One?
If we have a 12° of downward strike (NOT THE SAME THING AS FORWARD LEAN), we need to AIM (and [or] swing) 22.4 yards to the left, and have the clubface square at impact, which is 8° open to the PLANE LINE!!!

Brian,
To do this, aim 22.4 yards left, need to put the ball back in my stance, not "try" to forward lean excessively, and probably take a pretty big divot. Do I have this right? Basically, the key is the aiming left, ball position, swing normally, and dig deep. Can't wait to try this out.

--Peter