This SHOULD end the Driver down or up debate...

[Martee]

When you go to the big stick, often the Low Point is above ground, even on other clubs where the ball is teed up.

Hitting down as I understand is in reference to the body, not the ground, though in most cases they are one of the same. The shoulder and even the hands can be moving upward, but with flat left wrist and a leaning shaft, the force applied is downward. Where the low point will be located is relative to the spine angle regarding if it will be below,at or above the surface.

The real statement or question is, do you wish to apply force to the call downward, creating some backspin or do you want to apply force from the bottom up,a lifting motion, which if accomplished should create some top spin. A golf ball with top spin will sink. A golf ball with backspin will rise and carry.

I don't know how you get a ball to rise and carry with topspin? And if you apply backspin to the ball, then you must have some component that is applying a downward force.

 

[bobbobson]

Martee,
I agree 100% that topspin on the ball would result in very bad, very short drives. However, the spin on the ball is determined by the angle of approach into the ball and the club loft. As long as your angle of approach into the ball doesn't exceed the loft, backspin will result. Hitting up on the ball does not guarantee topspin.

 

[Martee]

quote:Originally posted by bobbobson

Martee,
I agree 100% that topspin on the ball would result in very bad, very short drives. However, the spin on the ball is determined by the angle of approach into the ball and the club loft. As long as your angle of approach into the ball doesn't exceed the loft, backspin will result. Hitting up on the ball does not guarantee topspin.

But the arguement that long drivers hit up on the ball and use drivers with as little loft as 4* makes you wonder how they do that?

 

[Bigwill]

You have to keep in mind that you are talking about a very specialized segment of the golfing population. The swing speeds of the top guys are between 140 and 155; some have been clocked at over 160 mph. They are doing everything in their power to take backspin off the ball. Remember, their main concern is distance, not accuracy. Low lofts create high ball speed, so the hitters themselves have to create the proper launch angle without adding backspin. The only way to do that is to catch the ball on the upswing.

 

[bobbobson]

quote:Originally posted by Martee

But the arguement that long drivers hit up on the ball and use drivers with as little loft as 4* makes you wonder how they do that?

We are talking about very small angles up and down. The TM analysis in post one of this thread shows a Kuehne with an upward path of 2.8 degrees.