Instruction – Data Points of a Launch Monitor: Part 2

This month, we are continuing the discussion on data points of a launch monitor. In this article, I am going to talk about face angle, club path and face-to-path ratio.

What is the clubface angle? The angle your clubface is pointed right or left of the target line at impact. What does this mean: This will affect where your ball flight will start directionally. Approximately 95 percent of where your golf ball goes in direction is due to where your clubface is pointing at impact. 

What is club path? It is the direction the clubhead is moving right or left at impact and is measured relative to the target line. The majority of golfers relate to the club path number to hitting the ball in-to-out or out-to-in. 

What is face-to-path ratio? It is the difference between the face angle and the club path. This is a key factor in determining the expected curvature of a golf shot (spin axis). Assuming a person hits the center of the clubface, the ball should curve toward the face angle and away from the club path (as long as the face-to-path does not equal zero). For a right-handed golfer, a negative face-to-path represents a face angle that is closed to the path, and a positive face-to-path represents a face angle that is open to the path. A zero face-to-path represents a face angle and club path that have the same value. Face-to-path is relative to the face angle and club path, not the target line. 

There is a drill that will fix your slice and teach you how to hit a draw in less than 10 minutes. Start by facing your back, hips and chest to the target; from here, hit shots keeping your back, chest and hips toward your target as long as you can. Your first couple of shots will be blocks out to the right, but once you allow the club to do the work, you will hit some beautiful draws. 

For another drill, grab two alignment sticks and place them just to the right of your target. Practice hitting shots with the ball starting between the alignment sticks and drawing back towards your target. This drill helps with visualizing the draw. Pay attention to how my right forearm is crossed over my left forearm in the picture. This is important in helping hit a draw. 

Practice hitting shots allowing your right forearm to cross over your left forearm (for right-handed golfers) to hit a draw. Another note to take from this picture is the toe of the club should be turned toward the ground; if the toe is facing the sky, you will most likely hit a fade or slice. 

If you tend to hook or draw the ball and want to hit fades, this is the perfect drill for you. Place an alignment stick through your belt loops and practice hitting half-swing shots, not allowing your arms to hit the stick between your belt loops. 

In January, we will talk about the data points to help hit the ball further and gain yardage in the new year. If you are looking to improve your game, reach out to me about my coach-in-your-pocket program. This program is $99 a month and includes unlimited video analysis, tips, drills and your own personal portal with 24/7 access to me.