How Does Shaft Angle Affect VSP?

[cwdlaw223]

How does the angle of the shaft in the downswing affect, if at all, the VSP?

Also, what should happen at impact, if anything, if the angle of the shaft on the downswing is higher than the same type of downswing (obviously it can't be exactly the same) with a lower shaft angle?

For example, if my shaft angle on the downswing becomes more upright will this generally result in an increase in my VSP? I know that Trackman uses the term VSP on the clubhead itself and not the shaft.

I have an ongoing discussion with a PGA pro who still believes that the old ball flight laws have value if they get players to hit better shots. I guess if you lie to people to get them to act a certain way that would be okay as well in his world. He's so stuck on the angle of the shaft in the downswing and video analysis that he won't even attempt to understand the D plane and this arrogance drives me nuts. (I no longer take lessons from him and would love to have my money back now that my eyes have been opened about why I hooked the ball most of my life. Never Hook Again saved me!!!! It should be sub-titled "no more tears" because only a true hooker knows that lost feeling of having the hooks and wanting to cry because you feel like you can't stop them. Brian stopped my debilitating hooks.)

 

[Kevin Shields]

In my experience shaft angle at impact has little to no correlation to VSP

 

[duckslice]

In my experience shaft angle at impact has little to no correlation to VSP

What about the shaft angle when measured at a specific point in the downswing? Use the "half way down" point as an example. Consider a player whose shaft angle is somewhat verticle when the left arm is parallel to the ground on the downswing. Will his trackman VSP tend to be steeper than that of another player of similar stature whose shaft angle is a bit flatter at the same point in the downswing? Or, is this half way down angle irrelevant to the VSP due to other factors like the distance the player stands from the ball, ball position, forward lean, etc.?

 

[mjstrong]

In my experience shaft angle at impact has little to no correlation to VSP

However, is there a correlation between the lie angle of the club (or length of the club, for that matter) and the VSP? I would think so: meaning that the more upright clubs tend to have higher VSP numbers. Would you think this is related more to the shorter length of the club than the lie angle?

 

[Kevin Shields]

However, is there a correlation between the lie angle of the club (or length of the club, for that matter) and the VSP? I would think so: meaning that the more upright clubs tend to have higher VSP numbers. Would you think this is related more to the shorter length of the club than the lie angle?

I have seen no correlation at all. I have a 6'5" college player with 4* upright and long clubs with a 50 VSP with a 6 iron. (Trying to get it up!)

 

[Matt Bryda]

Kevin,

Is there anything that the golfer can adjust like hands, arms, or shoulders that they, the golfer can try to do to influence the VSP? Or is it just old fashioned hit the ball in the sweetspot while the clubhead is going in the desired direction?

Matt

 

[savydan]

Check out the first couple of minutes of Brian's VSP vid on youtube.

He shows how an off-the-shelf, normal looking shaft angle can produce a zero VSP, or a 90* VSP, but the shaft angle, visually, hardly looks any different.

 

[Kevin Shields]

Kevin,

Is there anything that the golfer can adjust like hands, arms, or shoulders that they, the golfer can try to do to influence the VSP? Or is it just old fashioned hit the ball in the sweetspot while the clubhead is going in the desired direction?

Matt

Probably a ton of things. Steepen shoulders, steepen hand path, tumble, etc. All different for every player im sure

 

[tongzilla]

instead of thinking how shaft angle affects VSP, think how shaft angle affects true clubface direction. There is more correlation with the latter than the former.

 

[mjstrong]

I have seen no correlation at all. I have a 6'5" college player with 4* upright and long clubs with a 50 VSP with a 6 iron. (Trying to get it up!)

What I meant was, within a given player. So, is this guy's VSP higher with an 8 iron than it is with a 4 iron?

 

[DOCW3]

Probably a ton of things. Steepen shoulders, steepen hand path, tumble, etc. All different for every player im sure

Considering the VSP definition--travel of the sweetspot........--Homer Kelley in defining the Machine's three functions, stated Pressure Points are Clubhead Control. He went on to state that Clubhead Lag is the "Secret of Golf." Do you feel his concepts relate to a player's success in producing the optimum VSP?

 

[Brian Manzella]

Considering the VSP definition--travel of the sweetspot........--Homer Kelley in defining the Machine's three functions, stated Pressure Points are Clubhead Control. He went on to state that Clubhead Lag is the "Secret of Golf." Do you feel his concepts relate to a player's success in producing the optimum VSP?

No.

 

[birdie_man]

instead of thinking how shaft angle affects VSP, think how shaft angle affects true clubface direction. There is more correlation with the latter than the former.

What do you mean Leo?