How To Hit A Slice On Purpose ~ Understanding The Laws Of Ball Flight By: Mason Champion, PGA, Head Golf Coach

There are only nine different patterns in which a golf ball can fly – no more, no less. To that end, there are only two factors that combine to form these nine patterns – called “ball flights” by professionals. Understanding the ball flights and their associated components of influence assists a golfer in two vital areas: 1) Analysis of miss-hit shots and 2) purposeful production of such shots when needed.

The first factor affecting the flight of the golf ball is the path of the swing itself. Relative to the intended target line, the path of the swing as it approaches the golf ball can be “Inside to Outside” (a path associated with the travel of the club from an area close to the body before impact to an area away from the body after impact), “Outside to Inside” (conversely, a path that finds the club moving from an area away from the body pre-impact to an area close to the body post-impact), or “Square to Square” (equal distance from the body throughout the motion, pre and post impact).

Here’s how to practice and recognize the three paths:Lay a club on the ground and position it in a manner such that it lies on your target line. In such a position it is acceptable to say that the club on the ground therefore represents said target line. Hold your 5 iron in your hands and hover it above the center of this target line. Swing the club to the top of your backswing and begin your downswing in slow motion. As the club travels into the would-be impact area, purposefully maintain its position directly on the target line. Recognize this as a “Square to Square Path.” Now, take the same backswing and begin the downswing cognizant of redirecting the club from the outside of the target line (the side of the line opposite your feet) to the inside of the target line (the side on which your feet are positioned.) Recognize this as an “Outside to Inside Path.” Finally, take your backswing for a third time and once again begin the downswing in slow motion. On this occasion, redirect the club as it approaches the impact area from the inside of the target line (the side where your feet are positioned) to the outside of the target line (the side opposite). Process this as an “Inside to Outside Path.” Continue reviewing each path with ongoing practice swings. Progress from executing these practice swings in slow motion to doing so with normal pace. Take pause during each swing to absorb the understanding inherent to each path’s unique sensation. Indeed, you will recognize that each path feels different. As well, you will find that your finished position will change with the path that you are executing. You might notice that an Outside to Inside Path produces a finished position that finds your hands below your shoulders and a feeling that you are moving much more rotationally across the ball that what is normally associated with your swing. Conversely, an Inside to Outside Path might yield the sensation that your hands are much higher above your shoulders in your finish position and the shaft of the club intersects the shoulder line. This path may make you feel as though you are finishing much “taller” than you normally would. Square to square might feel the most natural, and the closest to your average motion. Regardless, it’s important to practice each path and to recognize the sensation differences that they produce.

Why is the path of the swing important? Because it affects the first component of ball flight – The Initial Direction Of The Ball. Relative to the intended target line, a ball can only travel initially in one of three directions – right of the target line, left of the target line, or on the target line. The initial direction of the ball is directly correlated with the path of the swing. It is the swing path that dictates where the ball will begin its flight relative to the target line. For a right handed golfer, an Inside to Outside Path will produce a ball that begins its flight to the right of the target line. Conversely, an Outside to Inside Path will yield a shot that begins its flight to the left of the target line. A Square to Square Path will produce a shot that begins its flight directly on the target line.Practice hitting shots with each of the three swing paths. Notice how the initial direction of the ball is impacted with each path. Pay attention to only the initial direction of the ball and nothing else when analyzing path.

The second factor affecting ball flight is the position of the clubface at impact. The clubface can be positioned in one of three fashions relative to the target line: Closed (the face points to the golfer’s side of the target line), Open (the face points to the opposite side of the target line as the golfer) and Square (the face points directly down the target line). The position of the clubface at impact affects the sidespin that is imparted upon the golf ball. An Open Face will produce (for a right handed golfer), left to right sidespin; a Closed Face will yield right to left sidespin; and a Square Face will produce no sidespin. Sidespin causes the ball to veer away from its initial path – moving either to the right (open face) to the left (closed face) or remaining straight on the path it is traveling (square face). Sidespin is a secondary force and it not inherent to the ball flight until gravity has reduced the affect of the path’s initial dominant force. Typically, sidespin will transition into the dominant force role somewhere around two thirds of the golf shot’s total distance. It typically takes that long until the force of the path has been reduced enough by gravity to permit the sidespin to take over.

Practice hitting shots with a square face, an open face, and a closed face. Notice how the shots shape differently – and further note how deep into the total distance of the shot it is until the ball begins to curve. When practicing, be sure to position the clubface into its desired position at address, rather than working extra hard in order to manipulate it during your swing. To that end, only grip the club once the desired clubface position has been established – rather than gripping the club and then opening or closing the face.

When the three paths of the swing (Inside to Outside, Outside to Inside, Square to Square) combine with the three clubface positions at impact (Open, Closed, Square), nine different ball flights are possible. Listed below are the nine ball flights, their corresponding slang golf terms and their identifiable flight patterns (for right handed golfers).

Inside to Outside / Square Face ~ AKA "The Push" Ball begins to the right of the target and does not curve
Inside to Outside / Open Face ~ AKA "Push Slice" Ball begins to the right of the target and curves right
Inside to Outside / Closed Face ~ AKA "The Push Hook" Ball begins to the right of the target and curves left
Outside to Inside / Square Face ~ AKA "The Pull" Ball begins to the left of the target and does not curve
Outside to Inside / Open Face ~ AKA "The Pull Fade"Ball begins to the left of the target and curves right
Outside to Inside / Closed Face ~ "The Pull Hook"Ball begins to the left of the target and curves left
Square to Square / Square Face ~ AKA "The Straight Shot"Ball begins at the target and does not curve
Square to Square / Open Face ~ AKA "The Slice"Ball begins at the target and curves right
Square to Square / Closed Face ~ AKA "The Hook"Ball begins at the target and curves left

It is important that all of these ball flights be practiced and learned. Doing so, will permit the golfer to call on the shots when needed and analyze a miss-hit shot when necessary. Previously, if you were to inadvertently hit one of the shots described above, you might not understand precisely what it was that produced such a shot pattern. Therefore, you might not understand what is required in order to correct the flight for the next shot. Furthermore, by understanding the Ball Flight Laws, you become able to call on the shots when necessary. Special situations arise on the golf course that may deem it appropriate to manufacture a non-traditional ball flight. Hitting around an obstacle, playing away from a hazard, approaching a tightly guarded flagstick – these are but a few of the situations that might call for a specialty ball flight.

Previous to understanding the ball flights, a golfer has only a limited number of shots that he can summon. Consider the following: Thirteen clubs are in a golfer’s bag that are not used on the putting green. This means that if a golfer uses only a full swing, he has only thirteen shots to summon from his arsenal. Now, if that same golfer has nine ball flights to call on when necessary – he has increased his pool of potential shots to one hundred seventeen possible options. What’s more, if the golfer then practices the ball flights with three additional swing lengths – quarter swing, half swing, and three quarter swing– he has boosted his number of shot possibilities to four hundred sixty eight! Now that’s an arsenal of shots!

As you practice the nine ball flights, there will be one shot in particular that seems to come very naturally to you. Conversely, you will also note that one shot is extremely challenging for you to produce. These shots will tend to be exact opposites of one another – and it is very common for a golfer to make these recognitions. Understand this – it’s ok that some shots are harder than others. In realizing this, you can then process the likelihood of the shot’s success when you are considering using it on the golf course. For example, you might note in your practice session that you are successful hitting one ball flight eight out of ten times – and successful with another shot only four out of ten times. Recognize the former shot as a “go-to” shot in times of pressure. Use it whenever you can. Understand further that the latter shot is a bit more high risk for you and has a lower likelihood of success. Processing this information will become part of your pre-shot routine in time and will play into your mental preparation as you prepare to hit a shot.

Something else to consider - not all of these shots will feel good, or look good for that matter. In fact, some of them will be downright ugly and feel quite terrible (a pull hook is particularly hideous). That’s ok. Those are the shots that are typically not the ones you will be calling on with regularity; but might be the ones that you can dissect should you ever hit them accidentally.

In understanding the Ball Flight Laws, you become able to teach and coach yourself in the time ahead. It’s important that a golfer understand the “whys” and the “hows” in addition to the “whats” associated with their game development strategies. It is through this that they can then reach a greater level of potential.

When you practice, split your bucket of practice balls in half. Dedicate the first half of the practice balls to intentionally hitting the nine ball flights. Dedicate the second half of the practice balls to taking normal swings and analyzing the flight. When doing so, pay attention to two things: where the ball began its flight relative to the target line (path) and if / how it curved (clubface position at impact). Always examine these two components of each shot.

You might say to yourself “Heck, this stuff is only for scratch golfers and professionals.” Wrong! I've taught the Ball Flight Laws to children and to the elderly – from scratch handicaps to rank beginners. It’s the first lesson I teach every student, and it's one of the most important things to understand about your golf game. It is arguably the most significant key to improvement that can be taught to a golfer - and I know it’s going to help you. Now get practicing!

-Coach Champion