Small path change = meaningful spin reduction

[me05501]

I've been trying to suss out why my drives have been falling short lately...235-240 max compared to 250-255 when the season started. 

During a Trackman session today the stat that jumped out at me was spin. Even with center-face contact and 1.47-1.49 smash I was hitting 2900-3000 spin. This is obviously a lot higher than ideal.

 

Like any good WRXer I started thinking about trying new gear to reduce spin but logic told me I wasn't going to chop 800RPM with a different head or shaft (currently playing a 9* Rogue ST Max). 

 

I reviewed the data a bit more and started focusing on path.

 

I used to come at the ball severely from the inside but I've worked hard to get closer to neutral. My old path with an iron would be 8-9* from the inside and now it's more like 3-4*. My driver path used to be +5* and now it hovers near zero. 

 

The "hovers near zero" has turned out to be a "aha" moment for me, because to my mind the difference between +2* and -2* seemed like no big deal. 

 

Boy was I wrong. 

 

The -2* path is the one that feels most natural to me. Unfortunately it's also the one that gives me 3000 spin and 10% less distance. I'd fallen into the habit of using that swing on the course and it's been costing me yards. 

 

If I'm just a little more conscious of letting the club shallow in transition I easily find that crucial +2* path. This drops the spin all the way down to the 2200 range and my expected distance comes back like magic. 

 

Coming even slightly from the inside seems to make all the difference in terms of "spin loft" and the other metrics Trackman calculates from the observed data. 

 

As a bonus, the inside path also reduces sensitivity to the face angle.

 

With the inside path my face can be in a range between slightly closed and slightly open and I still get a strong ball flight and good directional control. Coming from the outside seems to magnify the effect of the face angle. I guess the "face to path" math is more forgiving when you come a bit from the inside. 
 

Long story short, the difference between coming a little from the inside and a little from the outside is much greater than I expected. Hopefully this helps someone else. 

[getitdaily]

I'd be really interested in your dynamic lie and strike location before I believe path is the culprit/reason...

[me05501]

20 minutes ago, getitdaily said:

I'd be really interested in your dynamic lie and strike location before I believe path is the culprit/reason...

 

Makes sense. I was using impact stickers and centering up the ball consistently. I've never looked at dynamic lie but will do so. 

[getitdaily]

2 minutes ago, me05501 said:

 

Makes sense. I was using impact stickers and centering up the ball consistently. I've never looked at dynamic lie but will do so. 

I learned a lesson on the word "centered" from @Howard_Jones.

 

Just a few millimeters away from true center causes changes in launch and spin. "Center" is a big word...

[me05501]

6 minutes ago, getitdaily said:

I learned a lesson on the word "centered" from @Howard_Jones.

 

Just a few millimeters away from true center causes changes in launch and spin. "Center" is a big word...

 

Right. If my launch and smash numbers were off that's where I'd be focusing but they've been very consistent. Thus the thread. 

[MPStrat]

An inside path with driver is not necessary to hit bombs. It’s about the combination of swing direction and angle of attack. 

 

The path in and of itself is just a number, but your explanation of the tweak you made to your golf swing explains the situation. If you were steep and across the ball at the bottom of the swing, that’s generally not going to be great for launch conditions. 

 

 

[chollier986]

What I have found is that when I am more in to out, my angle of attack is more up.  I suspect that is what is driving your spin numbers down.

[doctor220]

That spin is not making you hit it 10% shorter. It will be a 5-10 yards total max and for your speed 2900-3000 spin is fine it just won’t roll a ton. Carry is way more important anyway