Driver open clubface?

yeah, square is definitely the most intuitive to most people, and my pro never meddled with my grip or address position or what not, but to adjust the amount and timing of release if the shot was slicing/fading/drawing/hooking to hit it straight and to get used to it first. i think that's the best way of learning in the beginning, so that you don't end up exaggerating and end up using one part of your swing to over compensate something that is severly lacking in another

blee2007 wrote:

Technospaz wrote:

Birdman wrote:

For simplicity's sake, taking out all other factors that would also influence impact position, wouldn't the best clubface position at address be as square as possible?

I would have thought so. At least that's what my coach used to tell me.

Did he teach you the wide stance and deep breathing?

That information was only shared with me by my new golf gurus.

Personal preferences as mentioned earlier are, IMO, quirks that are possibly compensating factors that have been introduced and later matured into the DNA of personal swings.

Don't most of us play golf with the equation of employing two wrongs to make a straight?

And isn't it because of personal preferences that most of us are stuck with the kind of golf and scores that we return week in and week out?

ngjw89 wrote:

yeah, square is definitely the most intuitive to most people, and my pro never meddled with my grip or address position or what not, but to adjust the amount and timing of release if the shot was slicing/fading/drawing/hooking to hit it straight and to get used to it first. i think that's the best way of learning in the beginning, so that you don't end up exaggerating and end up using one part of your swing to over compensate something that is severly lacking in another

If your coach never meddled with your grip or address = he want more return customer(slowly slowly milk the cow)... good luck ! (unless u have perfect grip)

Think about it ya... what connect you with the club first ! your hands ! = GRIP

Golf is a funny game. What works for you now may not necessarily work for you later. Ive changed my clubface setup position and grip over the time I played this game. Started out with a very strong grip and a neutral clubface position. That was to compensate for my slice. However, it soon developed to hooks and I have to change it again. As for now, I'm really comfortable with a weak grip and an open clubface. I dunno what changes Id have to make in the future.

divotee wrote:

Golf is a funny game. What works for you now may not necessarily work for you later. Ive changed my clubface setup position and grip over the time I played this game. Started out with a very strong grip and a neutral clubface position. That was to compensate for my slice. However, it soon developed to hooks and I have to change it again. As for now, I'm really comfortable with a weak grip and an open clubface. I dunno what changes Id have to make in the future.

When the swing path is outside in, which is very common, adopting a strong grip helps to turn it into a fade.

However, when it is overdone, and the face is closed to the target line but square to the club path, it becomes a straight shot to the left, a pull.

Overdone a bit further, it becomes a duck hook, starts left, and curls even further left.

The fact that you are now comfortable with an open club face, weak grip, clearly shows that the club face position, in conjunction with the grip, affects how the club face goes through the ball at impact.

I think what I was trying to say is that the position at address does not translate directly into the position at impact. i.e. a neutral clubface at address does not equate to a neutral clubface at impact.

Also, it depends on how the club face is set, taking a strong grip that rotating the hands so that the clubface is neutral does not = square clubface.

Add to this, I personally believe some clubs are designed to club the face faster than other clubs. Hence if you are going to use the same setup and grip (weak or strong) for all the clubs in your bag, then you are going to have to adjust the timing of the release or make some other swing changes. Unless u are lucky enough to have a set so customised that they all behave in the same way.

Alternatively, it might be easier to use the same swing and release timing, and fiddle around with the grip setup so that all your clubs behave in a similar way.

As an example, if I setup my TM 3 hybrid like I do my irons, the result is a pretty consistent hook (assuming good contact). To hit it within an acceptable dispersion range, I set the hybird up with a slightly weaker grip.

I also feel a big difference in the way my old TM R7 CGB Max driver head behaves as compared to my Nike VR (non-adjustable) driver behaves, even with the same shaft on both.

Derek wrote:

I think what I was trying to say is that the position at address does not translate directly into the position at impact. i.e. a neutral clubface at address does not equate to a neutral clubface at impact.

Also, it depends on how the club face is set, taking a strong grip that rotating the hands so that the clubface is neutral does not = square clubface.

Add to this, I personally believe some clubs are designed to club the face faster than other clubs. Hence if you are going to use the same setup and grip (weak or strong) for all the clubs in your bag, then you are going to have to adjust the timing of the release or make some other swing changes. Unless u are lucky enough to have a set so customised that they all behave in the same way.

Alternatively, it might be easier to use the same swing and release timing, and fiddle around with the grip setup so that all your clubs behave in a similar way.

As an example, if I setup my TM 3 hybrid like I do my irons, the result is a pretty consistent hook (assuming good contact). To hit it within an acceptable dispersion range, I set the hybird up with a slightly weaker grip.

I also feel a big difference in the way my old TM R7 CGB Max driver head behaves as compared to my Nike VR (non-adjustable) driver behaves, even with the same shaft on both.

and i thought in the good ole days when shafts were hickory sticks and every club in the bag was custom made.. that you had to learn every club's behaviour..

He he, not trying to add to the complexity, there are:

1. address hands
2. impact fix
3. adjusted address

Whether knowingly or not, the discussion has touched on these three elements to various degree.

These 3 things work quite effectively.

Lee, please elaborate for our benefit.

As the preceding discussion has stated, the club face angle at address can vary greatly with the club face angle at impact.

It is also correct to note that the club face angle at address can affect the shape of the shot.

What your hands are doing at address (address hands) are different at impact, so club face will be different as well.

If you want to see what club face angle you get at impact, do an impact fix. Backswing, and downswing in slow motion to impact. What you see is what you will get. Adjust and repeat until you get what you want.

Take that adjustment, and go back to address - adjusted address. Take a shot. If done correctly, you'll see the ball going where it is intended.

Great stuff Lee, and makes a lot of sense. Can't wait to try out the impact fix. Thanks.

You're most welcome, Birdman. Let me know how it goes, and if you need any further info. Cheers.

duffader wrote:

Sibeh Cheem.....

liak bo kieu ah.
SEE BALL HIT BALL !
HIT HARD LOOK UP !

My sifu SS taught me that. Living with it now. Quite happy since all my flight mates always goes back happy. They happy I also happy.

titu