Michael Breed on Ball Flight Laws

FWIW, the original question was "I'm curious about something, Michael, and I hope you can address this in Monday's show.

What determines where the ball starts? Nick Faldo gave advice in Hawaii that says aim the clubface at the target, and swing towards the opening to curve the ball out of trouble. Do you agree or disagree with that advice?"

Michael gets the question right. The clubface is responsible for about 85% of the ball's direction while path is about 15% (less with lower speeds and higher lofts).

Though he gets the answer right, the reason we asked the question in the first place is because his teaching illustrates the fact that he does not actually USE the ball flight laws in his teaching.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• breed
• golf fix
• ball flight laws
• golf

[iFreak81]

I don't understand, following what he says how are draws and fades possible?

[iacas]

@iFreak81 The path in relation to the face puts spin on the ball that can create draws and fades. If you swing (as a righty) farther to the right than the clubface is aimed, you'll get a draw or hook.

[golfprogress]

Sounds like Manzella's D-Plane explanation, works for me. Overall I find the arguments over ball flight laws somewhat tiresome.

[iacas]

@golfprogress I agree, but it's sad that there are still "arguments" to begin with! Ball flight laws are fact, not opinion.

[hitmanhawky]

i think clubhead speed is a big factor also yes in slo mo it will start right but if you have 100 mph clubhead speed the ball sticks to the club long enough to start where the path is going from my view. if you slice acroos it with a open clubface and 100 mph clubhead speed it will start where the path is going ,,, pull slice+open face out to in swing path so alot of thought can be done on this matter michael,, your friend hitmanhawky

[iacas]

@hitmanhawky That's not accurate, no. Google "Ball Flight Laws" and read the article on The Sand Trap that comes up.

[CaptainAndrewWiggins]

@iFreak81 when the club face direction is different to the path direction the some spin is imparted on the ball. It is this spin that makes fades, draws, slices possible. he went through it pretty quickly.

[shortstop20]

@hitmanhawky That's incorrect. Check out the newsletters on TrackMan's website. They lay it out clear as can be with scientific fact, not guesses.

[bunkerputt]

Wow Erik. He actually got it right. Smart guy not committing to a how much right by using the word "marriage" instead.