Power and the Pull Hitter

[Kevin Shields]

We all know that a pull hitter generally has more power than an opposite field home run hitter. Since the baseball swing is also on a 3D plane, could the same principle of spin loft apply? The pull hitter usually steps (or aims) to the right, catches the ball very early in the strike zone (later on the plane, and up) and pulls it.

Being an ex baseball player, it really feels like a home run swing to left field to me.

 

[spktho]

We all know that a pull hitter generally has more power than an opposite field home run hitter.

I think that would need to be rephrased. Generally a hitter that can hit oppo home runs has more power.

It is easier to pull a baseball and hit it farther/harder due to your description.

 

[Kevin Shields]

True, but what I meant was the pull home run goes farther than the opp field. Sure, you need more power to be an opp field home run hitter but that s not what i meant. Good point though

 

[spktho]

There are a lot of books and studies on the baseball swing. I believe it has been shown to be most beneficial to have a level to slight upward swing to impart the best angle of attack in order to get enough backspin for the ball to carry. To a hitter it still feels like swinging slightly down.

The best technique to pulling the ball actually has more to do with the hands. The pivot usually happens faster and lasts longer before contact. But, the hands need to be kept a bit closer to the body for a longer period of time before the bat is released(trigger delay). The best drill is to face a fence getting about 2 feet away and swing so that the bat does not hit the fence. If you try this, you will quickly notice that you have to keep your hands in. This will also keep the ball going straight to the pull field rather than curving toward the line.

 

[softconsult]

When I break the rules, nobody playing, and hit some drivers at the local shag range I sometimes hit a pull left. Not a hook. I call it a miss. For me these are absolutely the longest drives as compared to dead straight or fades. I've never tried it on purpose on the course.

 

[Slicer McGolf]

We all know that a pull hitter generally has more power than an opposite field home run hitter. Since the baseball swing is also on a 3D plane, could the same principle of spin loft apply? The pull hitter usually steps (or aims) to the right, catches the ball very early in the strike zone (later on the plane, and up) and pulls it.

Being an ex baseball player, it really feels like a home run swing to left field to me.

CP action?

 

[Ringer]

We all know that a pull hitter generally has more power than an opposite field home run hitter. Since the baseball swing is also on a 3D plane, could the same principle of spin loft apply? The pull hitter usually steps (or aims) to the right, catches the ball very early in the strike zone (later on the plane, and up) and pulls it.

Being an ex baseball player, it really feels like a home run swing to left field to me.

A pull hitter catches the ball earlier in the strike zone, but the bat has travelled further before hitting the ball.

You will very rarely ever find a pull hitter in golf who sets up closed and puts the ball way back in his/her stance. They usually have it quite far up in their stance so that they can catch it "out in front of them". Just like in baseball, the pull is where you hit the ball "out in front" and not late in the swing.

 

[Kevin Shields]

A pull hitter catches the ball earlier in the strike zone, but the bat has travelled further before hitting the ball.

You will very rarely ever find a pull hitter in golf who sets up closed and puts the ball way back in his/her stance. They usually have it quite far up in their stance so that they can catch it "out in front of them". Just like in baseball, the pull is where you hit the ball "out in front" and not late in the swing.

Uh, thats what I said.

 

[mb6606]

Pull hitter creates more acc 4? Greater speed

 

[Ringer]

Uh, thats what I said.

That's what I said.

 

[cmartingolf]

Back in the day, Jim Nelford was working on a "Pull" method. I didn't ever get into details with him.

While I was no Baseball player, in TGM terms, it would seem as though a pull hitter would have more PA #1, #2 and #4 at the moment of impact.

Opposite field hits wouldn't maximize #1, #2 or #4.

No #3 as there is no need to rotate a sweet spot off of the bat plane.

 

[spktho]

Hitting up with the driver for maximum distance...move ball up or move right foot back in stance and aim 20 yds. right?

20 yds. would be the difference between center field and the left center field alley. So, is the extra distance only from hitting up with the driver? or does the "pull" hit have some influence as well?

 

[ssssc]

Hitting up with the driver for maximum distance...move ball up or move right foot back in stance and aim 20 yds. right?

20 yds. would be the difference between center field and the left center field alley. So, is the extra distance only from hitting up with the driver? or does the "pull" hit have some influence as well?

any takers on an answer here?

 

[holeout]

any takers on an answer here?

It's both in some cases. If you're hitting down on the driver and imparting a lot of spin, hitting up on it alone can add yards. And for I'm sure a decent portion of guys, that kind of setup can influence how hard the chain is snapped.

 

[Matt Bryda]

Hit it on the upswing +6 = less spin=flyer with the driver in a sense??

 

[GPM1985]

Hit it on the upswing +6 = less spin=flyer with the driver in a sense??

Yeah, if a flier is just a ball that doesn't spin as much as it normally does and goes farther. In this case, it's 30 yards farther down the fairway rather than 30 yards over the green. You know the ball flight when you see it. I hate to associate that with the word "flier" though. I still get goosebumps thinking about the fliers I used to hit with the old MP-14s. Some of those six-irons would have qualified for long drive regionals.