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When people ask me what it took to become a scratch golfer, my answer is usually the same.
"I learned to control the clubface."
Let me explain why face control is THE skill all golfers need to lower their scores 👇
"I learned to control the clubface."
Let me explain why face control is THE skill all golfers need to lower their scores 👇
Here's what you'll learn by reading this:
1. What is face angle
2. How it affects scoring
3. Why it's the "glue" of the swing
4. A solution to the big problem
1. What is face angle
2. How it affects scoring
3. Why it's the "glue" of the swing
4. A solution to the big problem
Let's define face angle first.
It is the direction the clubface is pointed at impact relative to the target line:
• Open
• Closed
• Square
It is the direction the clubface is pointed at impact relative to the target line:
• Open
• Closed
• Square
Where the clubface points is the primary determinant of where the ball starts.
Open = ball starts more to the right
Closed = ball starts more to the left
Open = ball starts more to the right
Closed = ball starts more to the left
Face angle has about a 65% - 80% influence on start direction
(swing path also plays a role)
As loft *decreases* face angle gains more influence on start direction.
So with clubs like the driver is critical.
(swing path also plays a role)
As loft *decreases* face angle gains more influence on start direction.
So with clubs like the driver is critical.
A lot of scoring in golf is determined by your left-to-right dispersion.
You all know how hard it is to play hitting those "uh oh" shots that miss your target to the left or right.
Many of those big misses are because you have the face way too open or closed.
You all know how hard it is to play hitting those "uh oh" shots that miss your target to the left or right.
Many of those big misses are because you have the face way too open or closed.
Having tighter face control can lead to massive drops in scoring by reducing your big misses.
It's hard to score while hitting big blocks or pulls off the tee and with approach play!
But that's not all...
It's hard to score while hitting big blocks or pulls off the tee and with approach play!
But that's not all...
Face control is also crucial with the curvature of your shots.
The combination of your swing path and face angle will determine where your ball starts and how it curves.
The combination of your swing path and face angle will determine where your ball starts and how it curves.
The interesting thing is that you can pretty much make any swing path work for you if you have reasonable face control.
Let me show you an example...
Let me show you an example...
The classic slicer has a very out-to-in swing path.
People often say, "square the face at impact"
But here is what happens with a face pointing square down the target line and an out-to-in swing path
A classic slice!
People often say, "square the face at impact"
But here is what happens with a face pointing square down the target line and an out-to-in swing path
A classic slice!
To fix this, the golfer has two options:
• Reduce the extremity of their swing path
• Get the face more closed at impact
Usually, a mixture of both is going to help.
But let me show you how just changing their face angle can get you back to "functional territory."
• Reduce the extremity of their swing path
• Get the face more closed at impact
Usually, a mixture of both is going to help.
But let me show you how just changing their face angle can get you back to "functional territory."
If the golfer learns to get their face a little more closed, now you have a functional fade instead of a slice!
Generally speaking, you want the clubface pointing somewhere in between your club path and target line.
That allows the ball to start to the left and curve back.
Generally speaking, you want the clubface pointing somewhere in between your club path and target line.
That allows the ball to start to the left and curve back.
The bigger the separation between swing path and face angle, the bigger the problem.
Here's an example of a push slice
Here's an example of a push slice
No matter what club you are using, even your putter, you can think of face control as the "glue" that holds everything together at impact.
Most golfers don't think about clubface awareness or train for it.
But having what I call "internal reference points" is a game-changer.
Most golfers don't think about clubface awareness or train for it.
But having what I call "internal reference points" is a game-changer.
Face angle is arguably the biggest variable in the golf swing.
Your swing path tends to be more consistent.
But your face angle can change quite a bit from shot to shot.
Your swing path tends to be more consistent.
But your face angle can change quite a bit from shot to shot.
Playing better golf is essentially a series of face control adjustments.
For example, I played in a tournament yesterday and had a succession of shots that kept starting to the right of my target.
I had to use my skills to adjust and get it more closed at impact.
For example, I played in a tournament yesterday and had a succession of shots that kept starting to the right of my target.
I had to use my skills to adjust and get it more closed at impact.
But you can't make those adjustments if you don't practice correctly and pay attention to the proper feedback on and off the course.
Once you can start adjusting the face, a whole new world can open up for you.
Once you can start adjusting the face, a whole new world can open up for you.
My new book, The Four Foundations of Golf, has many practice methods to build your ball-striking skills.
Especially face control.
Since it came out last week, it's been the number one new release on Amazon.
People are saying some good things 😃
Especially face control.
Since it came out last week, it's been the number one new release on Amazon.
People are saying some good things 😃
For less than half the price of a golf lesson, you will get a lifetime of golf wisdom and learn how to be your own coach.
If you purchase, I promise you won't be disappointed!
amzn.to/3OxyKpF
If you purchase, I promise you won't be disappointed!
amzn.to/3OxyKpF
You will learn to:
• Lower your scores with optimal strategy
• Employ practice methods to develop long-lasting skills
• Become a happier golfer by managing your expectations
• Sharpen your mental game
• Lower your scores with optimal strategy
• Employ practice methods to develop long-lasting skills
• Become a happier golfer by managing your expectations
• Sharpen your mental game
But I'll still keep giving out good, free info on here!
Follow me @practicalgolf for more.
Like/Retweet the first tweet below to help spread awareness
Follow me @practicalgolf for more.
Like/Retweet the first tweet below to help spread awareness
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Nick Huber @sweatystartup
·
Jun 28, 2022
Great thread