Start Direction (Video)
The initial direction the golf ball leaves the club face in relation to the target line. The start direction may be straight, right or left of target line and is largely influenced by the direction the club face is pointing at impact.
Swing Direction (Video)
Swing Direction is the path the club head approaches impact and the path the club head exits impact in relation to the target line. In general, the golf ball curves in the opposite direction of the swing direction or path. A slice is influenced by a swing direction that approaches impact from outside the target line and exits inside or left of the target line causing a ball to curve right. A draw’s swing direction is inside to out or exits right of the target line influencing the ball to curve left. The optimal swing direction approaches the ball from inside the target line and exits back to the inside.
Why Does a Ball Curve? (Video)
A golf ball curves as a result of the both the club face and swing direction.
What Causes a Slice? (Video)
A slice is the result of the club face aimed to the right of the swing direction (for a right handed golfer).
What Causes a Hook? (Video)
A hook is the result of the club face aimed to the left of the swing direction (for a right handed golfer).
PGA Tour Fade (Video)
Approximately 80% of PGA Tour players play a fade. A tour fade has a start direction left of target line and a curvature back to the target line.
Fade
A fade is a ball flight that starts left of the target line and gently curves from left to right back to the target line for a right handed golfer. Club Face is aimed left of target line and right of Swing Direction.
Slice
A slice is a ball flight that starts at the target line and significantly curves from left to right away from the target line robbing the golfer of distance and accuracy for a right handed golfer. Club Face is aimed at target or right of target line and Swing Direction is left.
Push
A push is a ball flight that starts slightly right of the target line and finishes slightly right of the targets for a right handed golfer. Both Club Face & Swing Direction are pointing the same amount right.
Block
A block is a ball flight that starts significantly right of the target line and flies straight right a right handed golfer. Both Club Face & Swing Direction are pointed significantly right of target line at impact.
Pull
A pull is a ball flight that starts slightly left of the target line and continues to fly straight for a right handed golfer. Both Club Face & Swing Direction are pointing the same amount to the left of target line.
Pull Slice
A pull slice is a ball flight that starts slightly left of the target line and slices, or curves significantly from left to right away from the target line for a right handed golfer. Club Face is pointing significantly left of target line and right of Swing Direction.
Pull Hook
A pull hook is a ball flight that starts slightly left of the target line and hooks, or curves significantly from right to left away from the target line for a right handed golfer. Club Face is pointing left of target line at impact and Swing Direction is Inside to Out of target line.
Draw
A draw is a ball flight that curves gently from right to left for a right handed golfer. Club Face is pointed slightly right of target line at impact while Club Face is pointing slightly left Swing Direction at impact.
Hook
A hook is a ball flight that curves significantly from right to left for a right handed golfer. Too much curvature makes it difficult to be accurate and hit greens in regulation. Club Face is pointing significantly left of Swing Direction at impact.
Snap Hook
A snap hook is a ball flight that starts low and curves crazily from right to left falling out the sky early robbing the golfer of any distance or accuracy for a right handed golfer. Club Face is pointing significantly left of Club Face at impact and Swing Direction is way too much inside to out.
Shank
A shank is the most frustrating shot in golf. The golf ball actually hits the hosel of the golf club and darts immediately to the right with no trajectory, distance or accuracy for a right handed golfer.
Fat Shots
Fat Shots are when the low point of the swing is behind the ball or simply, when the golf club strikes the turf before the ball causing the ball to lose all its energy and in some cause barely move at all. The Fat shot is a terrible feel and experience for a beginning golfer.
Thin Shot
A thin shot is when the leading edge of the club face is well below the equator but not low enough to get the sweet spot on the ball. A thin shot is a better players miss where the ball will perform just not as well as a center face struck golf shot.
Topped Shot
A topped shot is when the leading edge strikes well above the golf ball equator resulting in a ball that’s hits the ground first and never gets in the air. The low point needs be lower.
Skulled Shots
A skulled shot is when the leading edge strikes the equator of the golf ball resulting in a low screaming ball flight that travels forever on the ground. You can feel the vibration in your hands from the leading edge striking the golf ball. The skulled shot is most common when chipping or pitching.
Sweet Spot
The sweet spot is the size of a pin dot. When the golf ball strikes the sweet spot there is no vibration and the sound is special. You mind knows something good happened. When the leading edge strikes the bottom of the golf ball you will have the best chance to hit the sweet spot of the club face.
The Center or Sweet Spot
The Center of the Club Face is where the sweet spot or center of gravity of the club face is located. Hitting the center of the club face will produce the maximum distance for the shot and will sound and feel amazing.
The Toe
The toe of the club face is the area between the sweet spot and outside edge of the golf club. Shots towards the toe typically indicate a steep swing plane.
The Heal
The heal of the club face is the area between the sweet spot and hosel of the golf club. Shots in towards the heal may indicate a swing direction too much from inside to out, golf clubs too long in length, balance moving toward toes, among other swing faults.
The Hosel
The area of the golf cub where the club face is connected is connected to shaft of the golf club.
Leading Edge
The leading edge is the very bottom line on the face of a golf club. The leading edge must strike under the ball for the ball to get into the air. If the leading edge strikes the middle or equator of the ball the ball will be skulled or fly on a line driver. If the leading edge hits above the equator the golf ball flight will be topped and will not get into the air at all.