By Monique Thoresz
Before launch monitors became so ubiquitous, golf instructors considered the path the most important swing metric to work on, based on observation and video. Many people still believe this is the case, but we now know that’s not true, thanks to all the computer data and a better understanding of the physics of golf.
With more MGA members than ever using simulators, especially in winter, I’d like to give you some tips on how to use your practice time more effectively. Let’s first break down the components of ball flight, specifically curvature, the two main components of which are the club’s path and face at impact. Those two factors produce a “face-to-path” equation with a number that either has a plus sign or a minus sign in front of it, representing the curvature of the golf ball. A straight ball would have an FTP between -2 and +2 (within 2 degrees of zero).
Here's the key: The face is responsible for up to 85% of ball flight. The ball will always start in the direction the face is pointed and then curve left or right based on the differential between the face and the path. The good news is, the face is a lot easier to change than the path. You could sit on a driving range or in a simulator for hours, and it’d be very hard to change your dominant motor pattern (which is largely responsible for the path of the club), whereas a simple grip change could fix the face angle. And once you have an FTP within a few degrees of zero, if you are still hitting it left or right of the target, all you need to do is adjust your alignment (i.e, aim left or right).
If there are two parts to an equation, and one of those parts was 85% responsible for the outcome and the other part was 15% responsible for the outcome, which would make more sense to work on? When using a golf simulator, look at the FTP data and try to achieve a number between -2 and +2 to hit it straight.
The 2024 Met Section Teacher of the Year, Monique Thoresz is director of instruction at Quaker Ridge Golf Club.