Hitting the Driver

Par4QC

Why do people hit with a negative AoA? And how is that negative AoA even achieved?

Spuzz

Par4QC And how is that negative AoA even achieved?

In my case, a twisted spine helps quite a bit.
:/

pellmell

Par4QC And how is that negative AoA even achieved?

A lack of sidebending, which results in a steep angle of attack. This is what a proper swing looks like.

garyt1957

Par4QC. Ask the pros. They average 1* DOWN

Rickochet

Par4QC Why do people hit with a negative AoA? And how is that negative AoA even achieved?

I wish Rick Shields would speak English. 😜

Question - How do you get a 73 year old geezer who has been hitting drivers for 61 years with an neg AOA to hit it on the upswing? If I did learn to do that I would forget by the next time I play. 😟

Par4QC

garyt1957 That would mean all of their teachers/instructors through the years since childhood has taught that.

No, they have not taught that.
And I watch enough of the tournaments to know better.

Same as their high lofts. Bullshit.
Same as their 'short' drivers. Bullshit.

Even if it were all true (not) we are not Pros. Hit up!!

pellmell

garyt1957 LPGA averages +3°.

World Long Drive Champion Tim Burke +7.9°.

garyt1957

pellmell was talking men PGA pros. Long drive yes. No doubt hitting up is the way to longest.drives but not necessarily most accurate. The pros can give up a few yards for accuracy. I'd post the Trackman chart thar shows it but don't know how to do it ony phone

Par4QC

garyt1957 The pros can give up a few yards for accuracy.

I wouldn't call Sheffler 'accurate' with 64% FWs hit last year. And he was best of the top names.

Typhoon

garyt1957 I'd post the Trackman chart

Don’t bother, 99% of the people on here don’t believe in Trackman or any other launch monitors. They don’t know what any of the numbers mean and they’re all wrong 🙄

garyt1957

https://blog.trackmangolf.com/trackman-average-tour-stats/

garyt1957

Par4QC but would he be worse hitting up?
You asked why anyone would hit down. I showed you that lots of pros do hit down. They count as " anyone". Case closed.

azgreg

Par4QC
Long drive guys would hit 10% on a good day.

Par4QC

garyt1957 You asked why anyone would hit down.

That question has not been answered. Why would they, if they do?

FauxAmish

Seeing way too much paralysis analysis in this thread IMO. The better is to get up there and ... just try to hit it.
Some times you succeed, and way more than you fail, but you always keep your mind uncluttered with negative thoughts.

sdandrea1

FauxAmish The better is to get up there and ... just try to hit it.

Just hit it down the fairway. Go find it. Hit it again. Play golf, not statistics.

garyt1957

Par4QC. It's been answered, you're just ignoring it. Koepka hits 1.7* down. Why? He wins majors doing it.

pellmell

Par4QC We don't know why. That's a question for the fitters who work with PGA Tour players

Par4QC

garyt1957 It's been answered, you're just ignoring it.

No & No.
A chart has been produced to show they do. No chart or statement as to why.

We are told......"loft is your friend", "hit up". Why?
Just hit down, hit farther. Easy!
Bull. Shit.

pellmell

garyt1957 Correction 3.7°down.

Par4QC

azgreg And love it.

Eguller

IF the Tour Pros 'average' -1.0* down on the ball (or close to that), that means that 1/2 of them hit more 'up' on the ball. Wonder about the breakdown of that group who hits up on the driver versus near 0* on lower ? 🤔

UnholyDefenestrator78

Eguller

median and average are not the same thing in a distribution that is not a normal population

Par4QC

Eguller I don't see them hitting down with driver on TV. I do see them hitting down with the fw clubs. When divots fly, you know that was not a level/upward hit.

garyt1957

Eguller. Bubba hits 3+* up. Lots of guys hit down. Do what works for you. Or do what Rex says, he's never wrong

Eguller

Par4QC Just hit down, hit farther. Easy!

Maybe their 'safety, I have to hit the fairway' shot. Think knock down. Tiger Stinger.

Par4QC

Eguller Pay attention.....they do not hit fairways like they should be able to. 64%? PGA avg. is only around 70, and that is dropping. They don't even hit all that high % using their 3 wd/5wd.
They really do not care if they hit fws, apparently.