I like to demystify ball flight. It’s the output data of your swing-a direct indicator of how well you are swinging the club.
Ball flight tells you everything you need to know. The fist thing I ask my students when they come for a lesson is about their ball flight. I ask simple questions such as, “where are most of your misses? Do you miss on one side or both? What’s the initial direction? How much does the ball curve?
These questions provide all the information I need when identifying swing flaws. Once I take into account their ball flight performance, I know exactly to right type of ‘medicine’ they need.
There’s too much emphasis on positional swing technique. Swing analysis begins with ball flight and ends with ball flight. If your missing shots to the right, you make changes accordingly. The problem is fixed when your shots begin flying straight. The problem with most golfers is they continue making swing adjustments even though their ball flight error has been cured. Some people are obsessed with the look of their swing. They want a swing that matches the best players in the world, even if their ball flight is flying long and straight. I think that’s ridiculous.
If your ball flight is where it needs to be, down the middle, you got nothing to worry about. The only other thing I would ask you is about the consistency and efficiency of your swing. I put these high on the priority list when it comes to the swing. When your swing is consistent and efficient you’re on the way to playing your best golf all the time.
Next time you play really investigate ball flight. Don’t think about your positional swing technique too much; think about the direction of your ball flight. Ask yourself these questions, “ What causes the ball to go where it went?” Make sure you provide an answer without going deep into positional swing technique. Answer the question using impact geometry, factors such as swing path and clubface angle. When you condition your mind to think this way your on the right path to a real breakthrough in your performance.
Long and Straight,
Adam
