drawing a ball

[bw2082]

I'm a little confused, can someone clarify? WHen I set up to draw the ball, from my point of view (above the ball), how should the shaft of the club be oriented? Perpendicular to my feet/shoulder line which is aimed a little right with the club face a little closed and pointing at the target; or should the shaft be perpendicular to the line where I want the ball to land?

[Diesel]

line your feet up where you want the ball to start, and aim the clubface where you want the ball to finish...

[mikpga]

I have found the best way to draw a ball is to start out by having the proper tools.

 

1. Sketch pad.

2. Pencil, preferrably with an eraser.

3. A round object to trace.

 

Once you have traced the round object with your pencil onto the sketch pad, simply add whatever company logo. For an added touch, you can add dimples.

[hattrick3518]

I have found the best way to draw a ball is to start out by having the proper tools.

 

1. Sketch pad.

2. Pencil, preferrably with an eraser.

3. A round object to trace.

 

Once you have traced the round object with your pencil onto the sketch pad, simply add whatever company logo. For an added touch, you can add dimples.

 

hahahahahahahah :russian_roulette:

that took me a second to get, but that is hilarious!

[SadTrombone]

I have found the best way to draw a ball is to start out by having the proper tools.

 

1. Sketch pad.

2. Pencil, preferrably with an eraser.

3. A round object to trace.

 

Once you have traced the round object with your pencil onto the sketch pad, simply add whatever company logo. For an added touch, you can add dimples.

*rimshot*

 

Mike.........that was one of the funniest things I've ever read. Well done!

 

-mini

[mikpga]

I couldn't resist. I hear this question almost on a daily basis. Humor is always good for the golfer's soul!

 

To answer the original post from a professional viewpoint, I would refer you understanding the 9 ball flight laws.

[MisterMizzy]

I would also recommend learning to draw the ball using a neutral grip, and using the alignment recommendation above. You can set up to hit a draw/fade all day long and unless you have a neutral grip, or the proper grip for the shot, it'll be pretty difficult. I learned to hit a draw by employing a strong grip, and I spent about a month trying to figure out how to fade it again. My instructor has moved my grip back to neutral, which makes it much easier to move the ball both ways, just by changing my alignment.

[Big D McGee]

Can you describe a "neutral" grip? I'm sure I know what you mean, but I want to be sure. I used to use a strong grip, with the idea that it generated more clubhead speed and thus more distance, but I found it was too easy to push or slice the ball. Now I use a grip where you can basically see the first and second knuckle on my left hand, and my left thumb rests on the shaft.

 

Been trying to hit a draw with a strong grip, I'll try it with a neutral grip.

[Diesel]

neutral grip is when botht thumbs are lined up on top of the grip... the "v's" between your thumb and pointer finger point more at your chest, as opposed to your right shoulder...

 

strong grip is usually taught to beginners to help them avoid the slice... helps close the clubface easier... i'm surprised you had trouble with slicing because you had a strong grip... it was probably more due to an over the top move, and not the strong grip...

 

i've been playing a neutral grip for several months now, and makes it so much easier to work the ball to either side, although i don't work the ball on teh course very often... on the range i practice it alot, but just do not feel confident with the amount of draw or fade i'm producing...

[MisterMizzy]

A good way to visualize it, or see a neutral grip is to take a putter that is squared where the thumbs lay. Take a grip with both thumbs running straight down the grip, palms facing each other (I don't grip my clubs that way, because I take that grip, then I go ahead and close my right thumb over the grip, but I still consider it a neutral grip because the palms face each other). Another good way to feel a neutral grip is for the V's formed by the thumbs and hand to point between your right shoulder and your ear. I say that I had a strong grip, but I actually had a fairly neutral left hand, and a little bit stronger right hand (right hand more under the club). It was VERY hard for me to hit a left to right shot with this grip, even when doing everything else correctly. If I had a camera it'd be easier for me to explain.

[Diesel]

I couldn't resist. I hear this question almost on a daily basis. Humor is always good for the golfer's soul!

 

To answer the original post from a professional viewpoint, I would refer you understanding the 9 ball flight laws.

 

care to elaborate on that...?

[MisterMizzy]

neutral grip is when botht thumbs are lined up on top of the grip... the "v's" between your thumb and pointer finger point more at your chest, as opposed to your right shoulder...

 

strong grip is usually taught to beginners to help them avoid the slice... helps close the clubface easier... i'm surprised you had trouble with slicing because you had a strong grip... it was probably more due to an over the top move, and not the strong grip...

 

i've been playing a neutral grip for several months now, and makes it so much easier to work the ball to either side, although i don't work the ball on teh course very often... on the range i practice it alot, but just do not feel confident with the amount of draw or fade i'm producing...

 

Ha. I was typing my reply to Big D while you posted this.

[mikpga]

Nine ball flight laws? Is that what you wanted me to elaborate on?

 

If so, simply understanding how path of the club and angle of the face influence the shape of the shot.

 

Your path can be on path, outside to in, or inside to out.

 

Your face angle can be square to the path you are swinging on, closed, or open.

 

The correct path and face angle combination will create the desired result you are seeking.

[rosskoss]

I draw the ball by releasing a little earlier and letting my right forearm roll over my left while making sure that my head stays back. That draws the ball nicely. But too much and you'll be setting yourself up for a hook. In that sense, the other method of aligning your stance closed and swinging along the feet line works better.

[Diesel]

ok, gotcha thanks...

[DanZ]

line your feet up where you want the ball to start, and aim the clubface where you want the ball to finish...

 

I've heard this before and it makes alot of sense once you understand how draws and fades work. The thing I've never heard mentioned along side of this is you need to adjust your grip so you are treating the club as if it is aligned with your feet. Basically ignore the fact the club is closed and grip it as if it were square.

[Diesel]

if i set up with a closed or open face, my hands are always neutral...

 

less variables for a beginner the better IMO...

[Diesel]

if you wanted to predominantly play a fade or a draw, you can have your grips adjusted slightly so when they are neutral, your clubface is already either slightly open or closed...

 

probably not a real good idea if you want to be able to work the ball both ways alot...

[bazzardl]

I use a couple of these: http://www.freddyconnect.co.uk

 

One on a spare driver and one on a 6 iron. I practice every night on a golf mat in the garden (no ball). Its very easy, using these aids to practice a draw, fade, knock down etc because you get instant visual feedback on the swing path and face alignment.

[tanj]

Search for an article on Ben Hogan, I think on GD. I'm in a rush now, but it's something like using the ball as the centre of a wheel and rotating about that point with your body until your feet aim where you want to start the ball. It worked wonders for me. I can now hit all degrees of "curve" balls.

 

Josh

 

BTW mikpga, as soon as I saw the topic, I was going to do what you did but you beat me to it... but you did it better than I could've ever imagined.