This podcast excerpt explains how ball flight in golf is governed by clear cause-and-effect physics rather than subjective feel. At impact, the interaction between clubface angle and club path determines both the starting direction and the curvature of the shot. Understanding this relationship allows golfers to interpret ball flight as immediate feedback and diagnose their own swing mechanics more effectively.

The clubface angle is the primary factor controlling where the ball starts. If the face is open, square, or closed relative to the target at impact, the ball will begin right, straight, or left. Because of this, the starting line of the shot is the most reliable indicator of what the clubface was doing at impact.

The club path describes the direction the clubhead is traveling through impact relative to the target line. It can move in-to-out, outside-to-in, or straight. While the path does not mainly determine the starting direction, it plays a critical role in shaping the ball’s curve.

Curvature is created by the relationship between the face and the path. When the face is open relative to the path, the ball curves to the right (fade or slice). When the face is closed relative to the path, the ball curves to the left (draw or hook). When face and path are aligned, the ball flies straight.

Common misses can be understood through this lens. A pull typically indicates a closed face, often combined with an inward path. A big push usually points to an open face, sometimes paired with an exaggerated in-to-out path. Each ball flight provides precise information about impact conditions.

The source uses the analogy of a conversation with your swing. The starting line is the opening statement, revealing the clubface angle, while the curve adds context by showing how the face and path interacted. By learning to “listen” to this conversation, golfers can move beyond frustration and begin making informed, physics-based adjustments on the course.

• 📺 The Explainer

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