# Impact and Ball Flight · Golf Level 3: Pre-Intermediate

Golf · Level 3: Pre-Intermediate · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/golf/level-3/impact-and-ball-flight/)

Impact and Ball Flight in Golf (Level 3: Pre-Intermediate) on Insporta: 40 sourced facts behind 4 tests. Covers: face, path and curve; and more.

What happens at impact and how it shows in the flight: face and path, where the ball is struck, divots and low point, launch and spin.

## Test 1: Face, path and curve

- The curve follows the face's angle relative to the path. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Face and path both point right, matching each other. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Face and path both point left. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- A bigger version of the same curve is a hook. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- A bigger version is a slice. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- With the face open to it, the ball curves away. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- The older teaching gave the path the main role. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Hook and slice are the bigger curves. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Over the top is a common start of the chain. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- The face is open to the path, so the ball curves right. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))

## Test 2: Where the ball is struck

- It sits close to the centre of the face. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Off-centre strikes twist the head and lose energy. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- This is called the gear effect. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- The face's curve (bulge) is shaped to bring the ball back. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- The ball shoots right for a right-hander. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- The mark shows toe, heel or centre at once. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- A centred strike gives the highest number. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- The farther from the centre, the more speed is lost. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- The hosel is where the shaft joins the head. (Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides))
- B is the centre, the sweet spot. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))

## Test 3: Divots and low point

- The club meets the ball while still descending. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- A divot behind the ball means a heavy strike. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- Measured in degrees: minus is down, plus is up. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- A divot records the path of the swing. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- It flies low and runs. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- Too steep an angle digs deep. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- A heavy strike catches the towel first. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- Behind the ball means the club hit the ground first. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- Ball, then turf, then the low point. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))
- Ball first, then turf. (Source: General golf instruction (PGA coaching and teaching guides))

## Test 4: Launch, spin and height

- Shaft lean and hand position change it from the static loft. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- More spin loft means more backspin. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Too much spin 'balloons' the drive. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- The ball then carries far and still rolls. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Groove depth is limited by the rules; loft does the work. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Launch monitors report it in metres or feet. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- A steep descent stops the ball sooner. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Spin rises with loft. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- The apex is the top of the flight. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))
- Too much backspin makes the drive climb and fall short. (Source: Trackman and launch-monitor teaching material (ball-flight laws, D-plane))

Sources: PGA coaching and general teaching guides, launch-monitor teaching material on ball flight, named books where a phrase is theirs, and the Equipment Rules and Rules of Golf where a number is set there; original questions authored, nothing reproduced.

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