Hitting up with the driver is Wrong???

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priceunderpar

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I was reading through an old Golf magazine when I saw some stats on Bubba Watson. According to some testing conducted by Ping, Bubba had a 6* upward angle of attack with his driver. Most instructors say you have to hit the ball on the up swing. Others, (Manzella, Clampett) say it's a myth that players hit up on their driver, and that you actually have to hit down on the ball.

Soooo... What is correct?

:confused:
 
B

blehnhard

New
Depends on Your Definition on "Down"

Are you referring to the motion of the clubhead or the direction of your force?

One can argue that the club is always moving "down" until it reaches an in line relationship with the left arm. Given that there is (hopefully) some axis tilt at impact, the club can be moving "down" (in relation to the swing) but could be moving "up" (in relation to the ground).

Also, due to the foward bending of the shaft at the bottom of the swing, this will cause a slightly more "upward" movement of the club in relation to the direction of force.

A better question is "do we want to impact the ball before the club shaft is in line with the left arm (still moving "down")" or "do we want to impact the ball at or after the club shaft is in line with the left arm ("level" or "up")"?

I think most would want to impact at or before the club shaft is in line with the left arm (regardless of whether the club is moving "down" or "up" in relation to the ground.

Bruce
 
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S

shoot54today

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this was addressed in the most recent issue of Golf magazine:

CHS Attach angle *'s Carry Distance Yards Total Distance Yards

105 -5* 243 273

0 259 291

+5* 274 305

120 -5* 291 322

0 309 339

+5* 326 355
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

New
I believe Brian has changed what he thinks since mandrin has been around.........and depending on the player I assume.

Hopefully he can clarify.
 
J

Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
IMO the best "blend" of distance and accuracy is being able to have an upward angle of attack into the ball (by utilizing the correct shaft profile) while also have your hands slightly ahead or even with the ball at contact. Meaning, no matter where the shaft currently is, if it wasn't "bent" where would the hands be.

That imo is what creates the longest and most accurate combination.
 
W

Wolfman

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CBS SwingVision

I remember Kostas did one of those vision slow mo things once on Mickelson's tee shot with the close up of the head. Head definitely was going down towards the ground post impact.

Don't know if that was typical of his driver swing or some sort of specialty shot, though. Be nice to see a close up of Bubba's driver head and the launch monitor reading on the same "typical " driver swing.
 
T

thefuture37

Banned
Different players have different approaches. Mickelson hits down. Toms hits up. Tiger has his club moving almost level to the ground and up if anything. In Clampett's Impact Zone, the reason he says driver should be hit down on is that once the club starts moving up it makes it harder to keep a flat left wrist. But if you can keep a flat left wrist, IMO, hitting up is definitely better because you can use a lower lofted driver(less spin) and still launch it high. Look at video of the long drive monsters. I dont think many of them hit down on the ball with their 5 degree drivers.
 
K

Kevin Shields

Super Moderator
blehnhard said:
Are you referring to the motion of the clubhead or the direction of your force?

One can argue that the club is always moving "down" until it reaches an in line relationship with the left arm. Given that there is (hopefully) some axis tilt at impact, the club can be moving "down" (in relation to the swing) but could be moving "up" (in relation to the ground).

Also, due to the foward bending of the shaft at the bottom of the swing, this will cause a slightly more "upward" movement of the club in relation to the direction of force.

A better question is "do we want to impact the ball before the club shaft is in line with the left arm (still moving "down")" or "do we want to impact the ball at or after the club shaft is in line with the left arm ("level" or "up")"?

I think most would want to impact at or before the club shaft is in line with the left arm (regardless of whether the club is moving "down" or "up" in relation to the ground.

Bruce
Click to expand...

That's a hall of fame explanation, there, Bruce. I'm gonna steal that one from you if you don't mind. ;)
 
M

matt kluck

New
Message for blehnhard

Bruce,
Did we run into each other at the Player's Schools in Pinehurst a few years ago when you were competing on the Sr. Tour? If so, we had some great conversations regarding the golf swing and its' properties. I am glad to see you are sharing your experience with this forum because I can remember the hours we spent talking about the swing and can still see that great swing action of yours. :) Have a great holiday and let me know how your game is faring.
MK
P.S. It is not easy to impress doubled!
 
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