Back in October, I commented on an article that appeared in Golf Digest where Bobby Clampett indicated that players should strike the ball with a downward, or descending, blow with the driver. You can read the original post here.
You might recall that I objected to the idea, given that it’s not widely accepted as a a good driving fundamental. Plus, video evidence shows that prominent PGA Tour professionals don’t seem to be doing that.
When I opened up this month’s Golf Digest (March 2008), I was interested to see that there was a reader’s letter asking about the idea, with concerns that everything the reader had ever been taught is counter to what Clampett suggests.
I was also interested to see a response from Clampett. He points out that a more comprehensive discussion is needed on the subject (as he does in his book, The Impact Zone), but that to him, “…the most convincing evidence of the downward arc at impact is the forward lean of the driver shaft, which can be seen under stop-action, high-speed photography.”
I agree that in some cases, at impact the driver shaft is leaning slightly forward, when seen in high speed photography. However, I believe this is due to shaft flex, not that the driver is moving in a downward arc.
At impact, the club head is still accelerating, with the hands pulling the driver into position. As such, it makes sense that the club head is lagging behind slightly and that the shaft leans forward slightly as the club head is catching up with the hands.
The most convincing evidence is apparent in the videos I linked in the previous post (click here). It’s clearly apparent when looking at a high-speed swings of Tiger Woods and Trevor Immelman (specifically closeups of the club head), that the club head itself is moving level to slightly ascending through impact.
Bobby Clampett suggested that the topic needs a little more in-depth exploration than what can be accomplished in the reader letters section of Golf Digest, so I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt until I’ve had a chance to review his book and understand in detail what he is proposing. At this time, however, I’m doubtful that what he’s suggesting is what’s actually happening and I’m not sure that it makes sense for players to try and do.
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Very insightful post. Looking forward to your review of his book and your enlightened thoughts on the subject.