Do you see the impact?

lets_rahk · July 17, 2006

Do you guys actually see them impact of the club with the golf ball? Watching vids of pros at impact it appears that their head is still at the ball. I'm wondering because I don't actually see the impact of the club with the ball on full swings.

wpfisher · July 17, 2006

At the range today I was wondering the exact same thing. I tend to tilt my head right because I am left-eye dominant, so I can get a bigger/ easier shoulder turn, plus I think Nicklaus did it for power. I can only see a blur at the bottom. In no way shape or form do I see contact. I understand Annika doesn't even look at the ball during her downswing.

Mud · July 18, 2006

I don't see the actual impact either and until now I have always felt inadequate on some level.

Thanks for letting me know I am not the only one!

CashmereGoatJ · July 18, 2006

I never thought I did until I hit leaves with my practice swing and saw my swing on video. I think that the ball is too small and the transfer of energy too efficient to see impact. However, try hitting a leaf, it's easier to see it disappear in that split second while you're head is still down at impact than to see a ball. Hope this helps.

lets_rahk · July 19, 2006

I guess once the downswing is started there's basically no time to "correct" anything if you are off. But I guess a better question would be are you supposed to see the impact?

CashmereGoatJ · July 19, 2006

I think the problem here is a matter of symantics. I think some of us are interpretting the word "see" differently. I read it as do you actually see the clubhead hit the ball and the ball subsequently leave. You can't really see that because the limits of human vision don't allow for it. However, if by see you mean have your head and eyes directed at the impact zone during impact, then, yes, most golfers will be served well to be in this position. Some golfers, Annika Sorenstam to name one, will be looking slightly down the line at impact. A lot of it is a comfort factor, but I think we can all agree there is a limit, you can't have your head up too much.

wpfisher · July 19, 2006

What I mean by "seeing" is the actual club/ball contact. I agree that a human's eyes cannot pick that up. I do however focus on the impact zone.

themouth1 · July 19, 2006

Hogan said that he lost sight of the ball "somewhere in the downswing". I don't think any of us can see the ball. The reason people are told to keep there head down has nothing to do with seeing the ball. It helps keep your posture consistant. This is a must for consistant ball striking. Some players can allow their heads to rotate to the target and still keep their posture. I am not one of them...

lets_rahk · July 19, 2006

Hogan said that he lost sight of the ball "somewhere in the downswing". I don't think any of us can see the ball. The reason people are told to keep there head down has nothing to do with seeing the ball. It helps keep your posture consistant. This is a must for consistant ball striking. Some players can allow their heads to rotate to the target and still keep their posture. I am not one of them...

Interesting. Yeah, what I mean by "seeing" as actually being able to see the contact of the clubface with the ball. I feel similar that at somepoint during the downswing I don't really see the ball anymore. On the other hand, I think once the downswing is initiated, I don't think even if I see anything wrong I'd be able to change it. Once in motion, my flawed swing stays flawed.