Ball Flight Problems

[firethorn]

I have a question that has probably come up many time in this forum but I haven't had any luck finding an answer yet. I'm fairly new to Long driving and hope to start competing in 2012, but first need to work out some kinks in my swing. I recently order a 6* dot com this with a Max length xxx sadlowski shaft and am noticing a strange ball flight. First of all the flight is to high and when I get about 300yds out it drops like a missile out of the sky. Sometimes it even looks as if it bounces backwards on impact. I have tried teeing it up higher and moving the ball more forward in my stance, but still no change. My impact point is still a little sporadic so I'm guessing that might have something to do with it, but would love to here some input from you guys. Thanks.

[NITROFORCE]

Range balls?  Too much spin?  More info needed.

[firethorn]

yes, they are range balls and pretty old ones at that.

[KenK2]

You gotta find out what your AoA(Angle of Attack) and ball spin is..  Get on a launch monitor and find out what those are, come back and post..

[firethorn]

OK cool, I gotta try and find somewhere near me that has one. I'm in Modesto CA, so I'm not to sure who would have something like that around me.

[D-PAYNE]

How far is modesto from Sacramento?

[firethorn]

It's about an hour and a half.

[NITROFORCE]

If you are hitting a range ball with worn dimples they will fall out of the sky at 300.  Hit some regular balls that are good and look and fairly new, see what happens then.  If you can read what kind they are, they are likely newer.  If your ball flight seems to climb in an upward arc you are putting too much spin on the ball by hitting down on it, or flat.  A 6* DCT with a 3x JS HOF should not spin the ball if hit with an ascending impact/angle of attack (AoA) of +3* to +6*.  That should launch it around 8* to 14* and should go straight as an arrow for the first 250, start to roll over and level out at 300 and then drop smoothly and bounce forward with roll.
If it does spin too much you must be swinging 160mph chs, (good job) or you have an AoA of +10* or more. AND/OR You could also be hitting it high on the face, use tape or something to see where the contact is.  That would cause high spin.
I don't know of any other phenomenon that would do what you are describing from hitting. But, maybe head wind would do that too, but that is a non hitting issue.
Go hit, come back with full report.
fc

[D-PAYNE]

You can come up here we have a trac man that im sure we could get you on...

[firethorn]

Where in Sacramento are you?

[D-PAYNE]

i work at haggin oaks sometimes

[firethorn]

Ok thanks, I'll defenitly have to schedule a time to go there, maybe I'll setup a Tee time for the same day..lol

[D-PAYNE]

yeah pm me when you want to come down man

[NITROFORCE]

yeah pm me when you want to come down man

Dude, you still playing bass for 9 inch Nails?  Or are you the roadie manager for Britany Spears now?  Remember the waitress in Mesquite at the restaurant that was diggin your do and wanted an autograph during the DDC?  She was IN TO YOU!

[D-PAYNE]

LMAO!!! so funny!!! no im just trying to make it big man! any pop star will do!!!!!!!!!!

[NITROFORCE]

LMAO!!! so funny!!! no im just trying to make it big man! any pop star will do!!!!!!!!!!

Tell Britany I said hi!  Super big fan!

[StevePratt]

Definitely high spin/launch angle, the way you are describing it.  Too much spin loft is the most obvious cause.  As mentioned, the old range balls will definitely spin more.  I cannot comment intelligently on this, but my best guess is that they lose their compression. (maybe someone else can comment)

Another factor is headwind.  Drives will have a steeper landing angle into the wind, and flatter downwind.

Make sure you are releasing on time to make square contact.  Late hits tend to be off the heel and spin considerably more.

Your first experiment should be to sacrifice some decent Pinnacles and recheck your ball flight.  Second should be to hit a really low lofted driver and see if that fixed the problem straight away (4 degree or less).

If you find yourself heading south at any point, look me up:  you are welcome to hop on my Trackman as well.

[firethorn]

So quick update, I haven't been on a trackman yet, but was able to get someone to critique my swing. Turns out my right hand was to far under the club at the start, then during my downswing I was dipping backwards so I'm guessing that was making my AoA pretty extreme. As soon as I get on a trackman I'll update with the results.

[AArdvark]

Can you post a video on youtube? If you can, get the angle looking straight at you (in front) and take some swings. Most likely you are dipping toward the target with your shoulders at the top of your swing. Creating a steep AoA and increasing your spin rate (Making the ball drop like a rock). If you could post a video link we should be able to help a lot more.

[firethorn]

OK here is a quick video of my troubled swing. lol I look alittle stiff because it's a new grip for me and I'm working on an aiming issue. its not a full power swing either, I'm sure my faults would be more defined on a full power swing but this is the best video I have till the next time I hit the range.                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McwF52V84MA