The Dreaded Double Cross

[ekennedy]

My newfound knowledge and appreciation of the D Plane has prompted many, many questions that (probably) only instructors with access to Trackman could probably tell me...

1) In regards to course management and working the ball with your preferred ball flight, what is the most common double cross miss (my biggest fear), i.e. trying to hit a fade on a dogleg right and accidentally hooking it into trouble and vice versa. I am assuming it is almost entirely clubface related, but I wasn't sure if there are multiple causes. (I am not referring to swing flaws or poor technique, just clubface and path control.)

2) In regards to hitting the driver on the upswing, from a forward ball position and aiming to the right to account for the D Plane (sorry if I'm using the wrong terms) is the most common problem with students the counterintuitive nature of aiming right, swinging right and feeling as though the clubface is open through impact? I am assuming that some students battle their tendencies and either swing back toward their perceived target or close the clubface with their hands.

Thoughts???

 

[Kevin Shields]

When a player as good as yourself has a tendency to double cross, IMO it is almost always born out of underplane issues.

When you set up for a draw, the player will not aim enough right and then try to start his draw more right with path and get under it in the process and leave the face open and undercut it. Proper draw is aim enough right with the face starting it left of body alignments and curving the rest of the way to the hole.

For a fade, the same player will not aim enough left, get a little under the plane and sense the fade will start right of the target and get around the ball late, causing the double cross.

The moral is, zero out, and then aim enough right or left for working the ball. Just adjust the face.

 

[Lindsey Newman]

When a player as good as yourself has a tendency to double cross, IMO it is almost always born out of underplane issues.

When you set up for a draw, the player will not aim enough right and then try to start his draw more right with path and get under it in the process and leave the face open and undercut it. Proper draw is aim enough right with the face starting it left of body alignments and curving the rest of the way to the hole.

For a fade, the same player will not aim enough left, get a little under the plane and sense the fade will start right of the target and get around the ball late, causing the double cross.

The moral is, zero out, and then aim enough right or left for working the ball. Just adjust the face.

Makes complete sense. Great answer!

 

[wulsy]

Question, if I may: What would be a reasonable assumtion of the vertical and horizontal path to face relationship (in degrees) to hit draw with the driver whilst contacting the ball on the upswing. Which factors contribute to the upswing, assuming that forward lean contributes most to the downward path with an iron?

 

[ekennedy]

Great answer, Kevin. I'm curious, prior to Trackman, what was the most effective way to measure a student's ability to zero out, short of ball flight and divot direction?

I'm a sponge, man. It's cold in Philly today so I might as well learn something...

 

[wedgeplay]

Kevin

Like the answer.+1

 

[Kevin Shields]

Great answer, Kevin. I'm curious, prior to Trackman, what was the most effective way to measure a student's ability to zero out, short of ball flight and divot direction?

I'm a sponge, man. It's cold in Philly today so I might as well learn something...

Ball flight, divot direction and center contact.

The Flyers are nothing but a bunch of thugs

 

[StevePratt]

hey Ekennedy,

Just my two cents.

It sounds like your body is always out of position and you hit your fade by blocking a full release.

A pull hook can occur from an overly inside path and rolled over clubface, but that person would normally draw the ball. That doesn't sound like you.

I would guess that when you double cross, you make a more agressive, free release of the clubhead, but your body is not in position to support it. My question would be, 'Do the double crosses feel really solid and powerful?"

Delaying or blocking the release to make the ball go straight or fade is playing with fire and requires incredible muscular control and timing.

 

[gailfcno]

hey Ekennedy,

Just my two cents.

It sounds like your body is always out of position and you hit your fade by blocking a full release.

A pull hook can occur from an overly inside path and rolled over clubface, but that person would normally draw the ball. That doesn't sound like you.

I would guess that when you double cross, you make a more agressive, free release of the clubhead, but your body is not in position to support it. My question would be, 'Do the double crosses feel really solid and powerful?"

Delaying or blocking the release to make the ball go straight or fade is playing with fire and requires incredible muscular control and timing.

hello steve

i have always thought that the only way to fade is to somewhat hold off the face and not fully release the club. is there a way of fully releasing the club and hitting a fade.