The stack n tilt grid is such an amazing tool. it’s an easy way to see and Predict what’s happening.
For years I have played a push draw. To facilitate that shot, I play the ball back in my stance and swing to the second baseman As a general rule. For the last few years I went exclusively to
hitting a draw and really got To the point of hating when I had to hit a fade.
i was thinking about the grid and trying to put what we know into context with what some of the greatest golfers said they did.
Jack N. said he aimed the club face where he wanted the ball to end up and he would swing on the path where he wanted the ball to start.
Today with all of the high tech info, we know that what he said isn’t accurate. In fact, it’s the opposite. The ball starts (mostly) where the clubface is aiming at impact and the swing path (relative to the face causes the curve).
We also know that stack n tilt calls for arms being lower on backswing and the follow through matches up (low left). This does not jive incredibly well with swinging out to the second baseman. Further the idea of swinging out to second base, leads to a higher finish. Meaning arms swing more around, not out.
I have always struggled playing the ball forward and hitting a push draw. I also know, intellectually why. Without a big enough lateral move toward the target, the club path will be working left on the front side of the swing arc therefore the shift left has to be enough to make the path in to out (in other words, swing center has to move passed the ball).
When you read my posts you know, I am not a fan of position golf. Instead I am a fan of creating your own feelings that match up, or cause the club to show up where it should to create the intended shot shape.
This weekend, I played in a 1 man scramble. Had to hit two shots on each turn. I hit a fade on the first and a draw in the second and did that all day.
However, I didn’t hit a push draw like usual. Instead, I picked my target and lined the clubface up to the target. Then I adjusted My toe line to dictate my swing path (Making the club face/grip relationship stronger -face pointing more left). The Further right, I lined up the more I was going to hook it (because the clubface aiming at target (the further right I aimed the bigger the difference between clubface and swing path). It worked beautifully.
This got me thinking, even though it’s technically wrong, lining up where I want my swing path sure is an easy way to predetermine how inside out the swing path would be (Assuming you are swinging down the toe line through the hitting area.
I played three rounds this weekend (in addition to the the tourney). Shot 75, 75, 76. I worked the ball both directions in each round.
Key: use the grid. Ball placement and swing path…but instead of changing swing path with ball position, I changed swing path with alignment Which let me keep the stack n tilt low left finish.
until the wheels fall off, I am gonna ride this train. :)
The Grid is still actively at work in the Nicklaus style push-fade. Have a look at the S&T book starting towards the bottom of page 124. I also addressed this in a prior YT episode.
The Grid knows and tells all... 😎
Don`t understand why Nicklaus or Bernhard Langer (saying the same) are wrong. Both have won the green jacket, so they can not be wrong in a opposite way.
Doing a straight shot and aiming like they do, they are changing the swing path created by their feet while the clubhead shows to the pin. If they want to draw a ball they stand in the right direction and the ball starts in right direction.
Using the grid Tom says if the clubhead is 3 degree open you need to double the swingpath, so it is 6 degree or more.
I understand this as a smoother way to draw a ball while the "old" systems seems to rape the ball in the draw.
But why should this not work if I play a straight ball in S&T aiming like Jack or Bernhard ?
Don`t misunderstand me. The grid gives me a better understanding, love it, but as a training aid you must be a prefect player that allways is able to hit the ball perfect in different ball postions. Sounds for me harder to play.
Great stuff!!!!