Colin Montgomerie - Ball Trajectory

[Ducky]

Hey everyone,

 

Something that constantly amazes me is the ball trajectory that Colin Montgomerie is able to produce on his iron shots. I'm not exactly sure if it is an optical illusion (due to his upwring swing and the trailing camera angle) or otherwise, but it seems to be a unique trait of his.

 

If you're not exactly sure what I am referring to, the ball trajectory could be described as a low launch angle that seems to aggressively climb towards the end of the flight. I drew an image to help me illustrate this.

 

 

Does anyone know how he is able to achieve this? Do any other touring pros share a similar ball trajectory?

 

Thanks.

 

:friends:

[justinq721]

no ball flight appears as just a parabolic curve, in which was a launch of 45 degrees would be optimal. it all has to do with the effect and variance of spin among players. try playing a prov1 without a cover. its a bag of laughs on the first drive.

[Ducky]

it all has to do with the effect and variance of spin among players...

I had thought that would be the case, but would this then indicate that Colin Montgomerie is hitting shots that have a low rate of revolutions at the start of the ball flight?

 

try playing a prov1 without a cover. its a bag of laughs on the first drive.

What happens?

[justinq721]

no the ball starts out with more spin at first it just takes awhile to physically see the effect of spin in the ballflight. if you are judging his ballflight all off of one shot it is possible he was hitting into the wind, which would have caused this ball flight to appear more exaggerated.

[justinq721]

its hard to describe what happens...just try it....you will crap your pants the first time you try to drive it.

[MAJYk]

How the hell do I take the cover off of the ball?

[taylormadefan]

it all has to do with the effect and variance of spin among players...

I had thought that would be the case, but would this then indicate that Colin Montgomerie is hitting shots that have a low rate of revolutions at the start of the ball flight?

 

It's actually the opposite.

 

I'm not an engineer, but from what I understand, with a high initial spin rate, there is more turbulence following the ball, more drag, and the ball doesn't have enough lift. As it gets further out it spins less, the drag is decreased, and the ball suddenly jumps up.

 

The classic balooning pattern - it's a trademark of high spin players. With the irons it's important to find a balance between spin and still getting the ball to go the appropriate distance especially into the wind.

[Ducky]

Very interesting, thanks for the replies.

[Texsport]

I've got one of his drivers and one of his 3 woods. :friends:

 

Both are shafted with a Yonex Nanospeed with a softer tip section to increase launch angle and trajectory.

 

I hit them on about the same trajectory as a Harmon CBX shaft, if anyone is familiar with it.

 

Very solid and soft feeling driver, BTW!

 

Texsport