==================================================== BCC Golf Newsletter - Issue 144 Date 08/08/10 ==================================================== ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - Shaft Angle - Irons and Hybrids ==================================================== The flight of your ball can be a real good indication what your clubÂ’s shaft angle was at impact. If your ball flight is too low this could mean your shaft angle at address and impact was leaning to far forward (toward the target). For example, if youÂ’re using a standard 34 degree 7 iron and your shaft was leaning 5 degrees forward, then you have reduced your 7 iron to only 29 degrees of loft. For most golfers this excessive shaft lean will produces a shot that is less accurate and too low. The flip side of this is the ball will go further because the golfer has essentially turned his 7 iron into a 6 iron (but at the cost of consistency). We often see golfers who switch to Hybrid Irons getting higher trajectory and less distance than theyÂ’re accustomed to for that particular numbered club. Hybrids have a wider sole that likes to sit level on the ground, so most golfers end up not leaning their shaft forward (de-lofting the club) like they tended to do with their regular irons (often without realizing it). So with the Hybrid, they are actually getting the proper height and distance for that numbered club; even if itÂ’s not the distance they are accustomed to from their standard irons. This is actually a good thing. The important thing in golf is to have a consistent, reliable distance from club to club, and this is easier when each club is used with its proper loft. When you want more or less distance, simply move up or down one club. If you want to lean the shaft forward because you are having a problem getting solid contact, try leaning the shaft only 1 to 2 degrees. This will help produces more of a downward blow and solid contact, but without so much loss of loft and lower ball flight. A way to gauge that is to have the clubhead positioned behind the ball at address, and to have your hands over the ball. This will produce the correct amount of forward shaft lean, or shaft angle. Enjoy, Tom ==================================================== Golf Tip: Shaft Angle - Putter ==================================================== Leaning the putter forward just before taking it back on a putt is called a ‘forward pressÂ’ and it does reduce the effective loft of the putter. The forward press should not be not more than about ½ inch of movement at the grip end of the putter, which decreases the effective loft of the putter by a fraction over 0.8 of a degree (eight tenths of a degree). This has a minimal effect on the initial launch angle and spin rate of the putt and not enough to affect measurably the roll on the ball. A well struck ball for a ten foot putt on a green speed of about 8 feet on the Stimpmeter needs to be traveling fast enough to go past the hole by about 17 inches if the hole was not there. On this putt, the ball will be launched off the ground out of the depression caused by surface undulations and its settlement below the tips of the grass blades. This putt will have back spin and then touch down on the green about four to five inches away from the launch spot and start sliding while trying to catch up to get forward (true roll) spin. The total distance of this launch/back spin/ slide/and forward catch up spin from the impact point is about 20% of the total distance of the putt, then the putt goes into true roll. The reduction of 0.8 of a degree due to a forward press will not significantly reduce the distance before true roll spin is achieved, as this will still be in the range above. It will affect the angle and back spin slightly when the ball is launched out of the depression. To be safe and consistent in launching the putt it is suggested that a four degree lofted putter be used which is most commonly designed loft in the better putters today. This will take care of any forward press without measurably affecting the roll of the ball. The only benefit of a forward press is in acting as a trigger mechanism to start the movement of the back stroke. Some golfers find it difficult to take the putter back on cue and need a prompt to do this. It's one of those "if it works do it, if you don't need to don't do it" deals as far as I'm concerned. Keep it simple. Enjoy, Tom