The Angle of Attack & Swing Path

The Angle of Attack & Swing Path is a short golf blog post that looks at the relationship between these two common swing attributes.

I don’t want to start bogging people down in scientific explanations or confusing any of my blog readers.

Any of you who have had golf lessons with me, in the past, will know that I keep everything as simple as possible.

Everything should be as easy to follow as I can make it, that is how I like things to be.

Now most golfers have heard of Angle of Attack and Swing Path, either on the TV or from having lessons.

But what exactly are they and how are they connected?

Firstly, let me take this opportunity to explain what they both are.

Angle of Attack

The Angle of Attack, in a nutshell, is the angle at which your clubhead approaches the ball just before impact.

It can be too steep (Negative -) or too shallow (Positive+). It is very rarely perfect.

There are 3 basics to remember when playing golf. I have used a Hula Hoop to help demonstrate my point visually

1. Irons

When playing with an iron, the ball should be struck on the downswing. The ball contact should come before the ground contact.

The Red Section represents the downswing.

2. Hybrids & Fairway Woods

With a hybrid & fairway wood, the ball should be struck at the lowest part of the swing. Ball contact with as little ground contact as possible.

The join represents the lowest part of the golf swing.

3. 3 Wood & Driver

When playing with a 3 wood and a driver, the ball should be struck on the upswing. After the lowest part of the golf swing.

The Yellow Section represents the upswing.

That should be quite simple to understand. If not, then contact me or another PGA Golf Professional as quickly as possible.

The Swing Path

Swing Path is the direction of the clubhead before and after impact. Ultimately, this will determine where your ball flight starts in relation to the target.

There is a common theory amongst amateur golfers that the swing should be straight through the ball (Straight-to-Straight) in order for the ball to fly straight.

This can be a huge problem, especially for higher handicappers and beginners.

Straight-to-Straight Swing Path.

Take a look at the image below that shows a Hula Hoop, representing a straight Swing Path or what we, in the trade call, Straight-to-Straight.

This is impossible for a human to perform because of the body turn in a golf swing.

Straight-to-Straight

Out-to-In Swing Path

The Out-to-In Swing Path is normal for beginners, high handicappers and many senior golfers due to the lack of body turn.

This is mainly seen from golfers whose swing is dominated by their hands and arms.

When swinging the club from Out-to-In the Angle of Attack will be much steeper.

The Red Section is before impact – The Yellow Section is after impact.

In-to-Out Swing Path

The In-to-Out Swing Path is the goal of many good players as this will command a Draw or a Hook.

A correct swing sequence, although slightly exaggerated, will produce this Swing Path.

When swinging the club from In-to-Out the Angle of Attack will be much shallower.

The Red Section is before impact – The Yellow Section is after impact

In-Straight-In Swing Path

The In-Straight-In Swing Path is seen as the perfect swing through a golf ball.

This is the only way that a golf ball can fly straight.

When swinging the club from In-Straight-In the Angle of Attack will be just right.

The ultimate Swing Path that every golfer searches for.

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