Shaping shots this way - opinions?

[Nickc]

I found Michael Mcteigue - keys to the effortless golf swing - very useful but the one thing that confused me & basically took little notice of at the time was his ideas on shaping a shot.

In this video

He advocates using the follow through as a basis for shot shaping. Says have same follow through arc but the left hand position (combined with your alignment) will help draw or fade the ball. Now this is all before the new flight laws were discovered and understood. But going back to looking at what he was suggesting could it be that aiming for the different left hand "planes" - for want of a better description - on the follow through simply be the result of closing or opening the club face to the swing plane to effect a draw or fade?

At moment can't try this out?

Key points in video start at about 3 minute and then the 4 minute marks.

 

[Fuscinator]

Johnny Miller has described this same methodology for working the ball when he was playing.

[Itsjustagame]

Flight laws were never "discovered". They were there all along.

Just another way to describe what was happening.

Spin the ball and it will curve.

Been that way forever.

[Nickc]

Itsjustagame, criticising me for using the word "discovered" is actually nothing to do with the topic-and a bit over picky! Yes the current understanding of the ball flight laws were there all along but at the time of this Video the laws that were taught were not those now known - so in fact the new correct laws were "discovered" later- just as say an explorer discovers an unknown land or a scientific discovery e.g DNA. If I had said the new laws were created or evolved.. Then I would have been incorrect.

So what is your opinion on how Michael Mcteigue suggests you "spin the ball" to make it curve? Or if you have none how do you do it?

 

 

[llewol007]

Nickc take a deep breath. Even if he is pointing out his thought on what you said, it really is a quick way for your thread to become more of arguing who is right and wrong about something none of you have any affect on so best to keep the lighter side of your thread. Now back on topic, I heard there are different ways to get your ball shape. Either by adjustment of grip, ball position and target line, or a combination of both. Yes the release does play into it but the starting point has a big affect as well. I myself caught a good video of Tony Finau and his golf coach and explained how weakening and strengthening his grip allows him to get the shot shape he wants. He also moves the ball a little back or forward of center depending on the club he is using and from there he can play a fade or a draw. Something you have to work on for sure. It amazes watching Bubba since his release is off the hook. He is one to see when it comes to working the ball especially with the flight scope.

[Itsjustagame]

His description is fine if a particular player connects with it and can integrate it into their swing.

Same with the ball flight laws.

Much of golf understanding/instruction is finding things that work for you.

Watched Chi Chi Rodriquez in a skills game on tv 30 years ago and you could see him work the ball with his hands.

Bubba Watson works the ball in his own way- might not be something others can copy.

Lots of ways to get it done.

 

[wagolfer7]

Sorry I did not watch the video.

But is sounds like he's talking about using your left hand as an indicator of how much forearm rotation you use, to help shape the ball. More would close the face sooner / faster, less would leave the face open.

Similar to what Tiger said at one of his clinics. He always thinks of his finishing position when thinking of shot shaping. Ball flight high, hands finish high. Ball flight low, hands finish low. The back of your left hand is the face position. Back of the left hand to the ground (during follow through) equals draw / hook or back of left hand to the sky (during follow through) equals fade / slice.

Granted you need a sound, fundamental swing to start with to get the best, consistent results trying to shape the ball.

[Ri_Redneck]

He is presuming the golfer is using "The Effortless Swing" when describing this. He is describing a grip where the back of the left hand is approximately in line with the clubface (what I would call a weak grip). Lastly, he asking you to manipulate the FA of the club at impact with the rotation timing of your swing. It may work for him and his students, but my timing just ain't that good. I would hit balls all over the world if I tried this.

YMMV.

BT

[Golfjack]

What matters more is what you do with the club at impact, but it does help. It does seem what he does applies more to hitting high or low shots. Whatever you do to control your clubface, as long as it helps you be consistent I say go for it.