Golf Smart Academy Forum — Swing path curvature from the golfer’s perspective

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Swing path curvature from the golfer’s perspective ¶

By: Zach F on May 14, 2024, 6:21 a.m.

Hi Tyler!

Are you familiar with a device called the
Putting Arc?
If not, or for those who may not be, it’s a plastic barricade that prescribes the “perfect” inside to inside putting stroke as the heel of the putter head glides along the device.

The reason I ask, is I was struck by how perceptible the curvature is, and how it nevertheless produces straight putts, and I wondered how that might apply to short irons.

From a golfer’s perspective, how much “arc” would the player be able to perceive in a minimally curving, stock tour swing with, say, a 9 iron? I know it’s kind of a different kettle of fish than the putting stroke… or is it? I’ve included a video of Tommy Fleetwood taking divots that points left of the target while still playing a draw, and I’ve found clips of David Duval playing a cut and taking divots that point 30 degrees or more inside the target line. Should I as a hooker be aspiring to take short iron divots that point to the left, and rehearsing an arc in which I can see the curve?

Thanks in Advance,
Zach

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Re: Swing path curvature from the golfer’s perspective ¶

By: Tyler F on May 19, 2024, 11:35 a.m.

The common theme between the putting arc and the full swing is that both clubs are swung on a tilted plane. That tilted plane creates an inward and upward movement in the backswing, down and out in the downswing, and then back up and in on the follow through. The putting arc is good at created an image of the swing, but I prefer things that help create a more straight path of the shaft. Like the putting horse video, or Stan Utley had an old training add that was a tilted metal plane guide (learning curve). The putting arc, having a vertical face prevents the club from swinging up and in slightly. It just swings in and can create a manipulation of the grip if you're not careful.

But yes, the divot should be a little left for a neutral path. As you hit down on the ball, the downward contact makes the path more in to out than the path of the divot. So if you're looking for a swing, where you hit down 4 degrees and the path is fairly straight, then you would want to have the divot about 2 degrees left of the target. Here's an old video I did on reading the divot. https://www.golfsmartacademy.com/golf-instruction/reading-a-divot/ and reading ball flight https://www.golfsmartacademy.com/golf-instruction/how-to-read-ball-flight/

Good luck,
Tyler

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Re: Swing path curvature from the golfer’s perspective ¶

By: Zach F on May 26, 2024, 4:48 a.m.

Thank you Tyler! Seems the next addition to the laboratory will be a divot mat.

I really appreciate you man.

Z

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Re: Swing path curvature from the golfer’s perspective ¶

By: Tyler F on June 2, 2024, 9:44 a.m.

Thank you, it's fun to have a community of like-minded golf nerds 🙏