Understanding Angle of Attack

Last time we discussed the clubface at impact. Clubface is one of three “impact factors”. The clubface, the path and the angle of approach are the big three reasons why the golf ball does what it does. Here’s what to know:

• The clubface starts the golf ball on its initial journey.
• The clubface in relation to the path will create the curve in the shot (slice, hook).
• The approach angle or “attack angle” will create the bottom of the swing arc and launch characteristics.

In golf, we stand above and aside the golf ball. Because we stand above it, the golf club is swung up and down. On its descent (or ascent) ideally the clubhead should be traveling down for all shots on turf, and slightly up for all shots on a tee. If it does not, we hit thin or fat shots. This is the single greatest difference between pros and amateurs. Professionals have the unique ability to create a correct attack angle swing after swing.  There is no one playing this game for a living who does not have that. On turf shots the clubhead “bottoms out three to four inches” in front (target side) of the ball again and again. This happens for many reasons:

1. Good posture.

2. Great balance.

3. Dynamic movement to the front leg though the ball.

4. A properly timed “release.”

5. A correct (complimentary) swing direction.

6. And, of course, years and years of almost obsessive training and repetition!

So, we see the value of angle of attack in consistency. The number one complaint I hear from my students is “I am not consistent”. Almost every single time the reason for this is they cannot get the club to reach bottom consistently and correctly. I cannot make it any clearer than this:  golfers cannot be consistent with poor attack angles! If the approach angle is too steep, we hit the ball fat, too shallow, we hit thin shots. Skulls, tops, drop-kicks, even whiffs…these are due to poor attack angles!

Note above: In Dynamic Number Five I referred to swing direction in relation to the attack angle. This is quite involved, and we will tackle it in the next article. Remember this series is for your edification and does offer correction techniques. It is imperative that golfers understand the dynamics of impact and THEN set on a course to correct your individual flaws.