New ball flight laws: how to hit a draw with the driver???

[DON SVO]

how do I get into better position?

I play a slight fade that turns into a dead straight shot when I'm 'on' it. After reading/watching videos/playing around with my swing after seeing the New Ball Flight Law stuff, I still can't seem to draw my tee shot.

I understand the concept: Swing path is slightly inside out, club head slightly closed to swing path = slight draw. I've gotten some to draw ever so slightly, but it's maybe a yard or two at best (and obviously left of target since I am inside-out (lefty)). LOL the rest resulted in overcompensated big pull hooks. :( What I want are swing thoughts you guys have when purposely drawing the ball with the driver.

[iteachgolf]

ball position has to be far enough back so ball is caught on backside of circle (just inside left heel).

[DON SVO]

[quote name='iteachgolf' date='06 March 2010 - 08:24 PM' timestamp='1267928659' post='2297940']
ball position has to be far enough back so ball is caught on backside of circle (just inside left heel).
[/quote]

on that thought, since you're solely using ball position to adjust the impact in relation to swing plane, are you doing anything different in the release phase of the swing? I know with my natural fade I would have the clubface several degrees more open ... Is the thought to adjust alignment for the shot? Consciously close down the club sooner?

[iteachgolf]

[quote name='DON SVO' date='06 March 2010 - 08:36 PM' timestamp='1267936597' post='2298375']
[quote name='iteachgolf' date='06 March 2010 - 08:24 PM' timestamp='1267928659' post='2297940']
ball position has to be far enough back so ball is caught on backside of circle (just inside left heel).
[/quote]

on that thought, since you're solely using ball position to adjust the impact in relation to swing plane, are you doing anything different in the release phase of the swing? I know with my natural fade I would have the clubface several degrees more open ... Is the thought to adjust alignment for the shot? Consciously close down the club sooner?
[/quote]
For me no, but I don't know your swing.
Same swing

Ball one ball behind left heel = slight draw
Ball one ball forward of left heel = slight fade

Geometry of a circle if you hit the ball on the front side of the circle (as club is coming left) the ball will be easier to fade. As ball gets further back the path gets more inside out and it's easier to draw. I did a whole thread on it a while back.

[DFinch]

[quote name='DON SVO' date='06 March 2010 - 08:36 PM' timestamp='1267936597' post='2298375']
[quote name='iteachgolf' date='06 March 2010 - 08:24 PM' timestamp='1267928659' post='2297940']
ball position has to be far enough back so ball is caught on backside of circle (just inside left heel).
[/quote]

on that thought, since you're solely using ball position to adjust the impact in relation to swing plane, are you doing anything different in the release phase of the swing? I know with my natural fade I would have the clubface several degrees more open ... Is the thought to adjust alignment for the shot? Consciously close down the club sooner?
[/quote]

I think this is where we get back into the "new ball flight laws" confusion.

If you normally play a fade...a true fade that starts right of target (you're a lefty) and fades toward target...you're hitting that with a [b]closed[/b] club face relative to target line but slightly open to your outside-in path.

Conversely, to hit a true draw that starts left of target (you're a lefty) and draws toward the target...you need to come into the ball with an [b]open[/b] club face relative to target line but slightly closed to your inside-out path.

With that in mind, you've already demonstrated the ability to "release" the club so that the face closes...you do it every time you hit your fade. Your focus should be on your path, which is why moving the ball back in your stance to get it to the backside of the circle is a good place to start.

[DON SVO]

[quote name='DFinch' date='06 March 2010 - 10:53 PM' timestamp='1267937595' post='2298426']
I think this is where we get back into the "new ball flight laws" confusion.

If you normally play a fade...a true fade that starts right of target (you're a lefty) and fades toward target...you're hitting that with a [b]closed[/b] club face relative to target line but slightly open to your outside-in path.

Conversely, to hit a true draw that starts left of target (you're a lefty) and draws toward the target...you need to come into the ball with an [b]open[/b] club face relative to target line but slightly closed to your inside-out path.

With that in mind, you've already demonstrated the ability to "release" the club so that the face closes...you do it every time you hit your fade. Your focus should be on your path, which is why moving the ball back in your stance to get it to the backside of the circle is a good place to start.
[/quote]

True on the slight fade... my favorite (typical) tee shot probably moves a total of 10-15 yards laterally over the entire ball flight, usually a bit more right of target than left, and ends up more so in the left side of the fairway or light rough. when I get on it and get my hands too quick, well, I believe that is called push fade

Using a launch monitor to see what's going on is pretty much what I expected to see, the ball intersects the target line about 4/5ths of the way down range. 2* closed was a relatively typical number. swing speed is generally 103-106, ball speed in the low 150s, carry is 228-236. I imagine I am losing a bit of distance due to the fade, which is evident when I nail one straight and it's 280-290 with roll.

My concern is timing with moving the ball back. when you do this, do you lose anything in the carry department? Or conversely, since my fade has a closed club face, I might actually [b][i]gain[/b][/i] swing speed and distance by moving the ball back into a more powerful part of my swing?

Should I tee it lower?

[bscinstnct]

I am surprised no one has mentioned this but if you just close your stance a little, play with variances to find what is best, it will be much easier
to turn the the fade into a draw. Much easier to turn also.

With your ss, as you said, you can hit it much farther.

Even if you just close your stance enough to still play a slight fade and take advantage of the fade consistency, you could still hit it further.

Tom Watson said he has done this.