How to Become Your Own Trackman: Master Ball Flight Laws Like a Pro

The Guessing Game Stops Today

For too long, I've watched golfers trapped in a frustrating cycle of guesswork and flawed assumptions. You hit a slice, and immediately think, "I must have come over the top!" You pull one left and blame your hips for spinning out. Sound familiar?

Here's the uncomfortable truth: unless you have video evidence, you have no idea if those feelings or guesses reflect reality. What we feel in our swing is rarely what's actually happening.

Hi. My name is coach Erik Schjolberg.

At EJS Golf, I've built my reputation on ending this guessing game forever. The good news? There's scientific proof of what happens at impact, and understanding these principles allows you to diagnose any shot with professional-level precision – without needing a $20,000 launch monitor beside you.

This is about becoming your own Trackman, and it's the foundation of what I teach at my Scottsdale golf academy.

The Real Problem: Misdiagnosing Your Shots

Most golfers have been taught outdated or simply incorrect ball flight laws. The old model suggested that swing path primarily determined where the ball started, and face angle controlled the curve. Thanks to modern launch monitor technology, we now know this is fundamentally wrong.

This misunderstanding leads to a cascade of problems:

• You apply "fixes" that address the wrong issue

• You develop compensations that temporarily mask problems

• You experience inconsistency because your understanding is flawed

• Your practice becomes counterproductive

• Your frustration builds as you work harder but see minimal improvement

In my twenty years as a top-rated golf coach in Scottsdale, I've seen this pattern destroy the potential of countless talented golfers. It's not your fault – you've been working with outdated information.

The ability to correctly read ball flight is the foundation for all improvement. Get this wrong, and everything else fails.

The Science of Better Golf: The D-Plane Decoded

At the heart of ball flight physics is a concept known as the D-Plane. Understanding it transforms how you diagnose your shots and dramatically accelerates your improvement.

The D-Plane is comprised of two major events that occur simultaneously at impact:

1. The direction the club head is moving. This involves a horizontal force (Club Path) and a vertical force (Attack Angle).

2. The direction the club face is pointing. This involves a horizontal force (Face Angle) and a vertical force (Dynamic Loft).

These forces together create a plane in 3-dimensional space – the D-Plane – which dictates where the ball is going to go.

Imagine two alignment sticks. One represents the direction the club face is pointing (Face Angle and Dynamic Loft), and the other represents the direction the club head is moving (Club Path and Attack Angle). The D-Plane is the plane connecting these two sticks.

When I work with students at my Scottsdale golf academy, I often use this visual because it makes the abstract concept tangible. This plane is crucial because it determines three critical aspects of ball flight:

1. The ball's initial launch direction

2. Its spin axis tilt (which causes curve)

3. Its backspin rate

Once you understand these relationships, you'll never misdiagnose a shot again.

The Truth About Ball Flight: What Trackman Has Taught Us

Every golf shot can be broken down into two primary components you see immediately after impact: where it starts and how it curves. By understanding which impact factors influence these two things, you can diagnose any shot like a professional.

1. The Face Angle Rules Starting Direction

Contrary to what many golfers believe, the club path is NOT the primary factor determining launch direction. After analyzing millions of shots with Trackman, we now know definitively that the face angle has significantly more influence on where the ball initially starts.

According to launch monitor data, the face orientation represents approximately 75% of the initial launch direction for irons and 85% for drivers. In simple terms: the ball will launch very close to the direction the club face is pointing at impact.

• If your Face Angle is pointed left of your target line at impact, the ball will start left

• If your Face Angle is pointed right of your target line at impact, the ball will start right

• If your Face Angle is pointed directly at the target, the ball will start directly at the target (assuming center contact)

This relationship is non-negotiable physics, not opinion or feel. It doesn't matter if you're Tiger Woods or a 25-handicap – these laws apply equally.

Key Takeaway: Where the ball starts tells you what your Face Angle was at impact, relative to your target line.

2. The Face-to-Path Relationship Controls Curvature

Now for the second critical component: curvature. First, let me dispel another myth – there is no such thing as "sidespin." A golf ball rotates around a single axis, and when this axis is tilted, the ball will curve. The amount of curvature is directly related to how much the ball's Spin Axis is tilted.

• A negative Spin Axis (for a right-handed golfer) means the ball will curve left (a draw or hook)

• A positive Spin Axis means the ball will curve right (a fade or slice)

• A Spin Axis between -2 and 2 degrees is generally considered a straight shot

What determines this Spin Axis? The primary factor is the difference between your Face Angle and Club Path at impact. This difference is known as Face-to-Path.

• If your Face is closed relative to your Club Path (a negative Face-to-Path value), the ball curves left

• If your Face is open relative to your Club Path (a positive Face-to-Path value), the ball curves right

• The larger this difference, the more the ball will curve

With a driver, the relationship between Face-to-Path and the resulting Spin Axis is roughly 4:1. This means that a Face-to-Path of 5° will create approximately 20° of Spin Axis tilt.

Just last week, I was working with John, a 12-handicap struggling with a persistent slice. Using force plates and 3D motion analysis at my Scottsdale golf facility, we discovered his issue wasn't the over-the-top move he'd been fighting for years. His path was actually neutral to slightly in-to-out, but his face was open to that path by 4-5° at impact. Once he understood this face-to-path relationship, we focused on controlling face rotation through impact. Within one session, his slice had transformed into a controlled fade, and by the end of our third lesson, he was drawing the ball on command.

Key Takeaway: How the ball curves tells you the relationship between your Face Angle and your Club Path at impact.

Other Factors Influencing Spin Axis

While Face-to-Path is the primary determinant of curvature, two other factors come into play:

1. Gear Effect: When you hit the ball off-center, the clubhead momentarily rotates, causing the ball to "gear" in the opposite direction. A heel strike typically reduces slice spin or adds draw spin, while a toe strike typically increases slice spin or reduces draw spin.

2. Spin Loft: This is the 3D angle between the club face direction and club head direction at impact. As Spin Loft decreases (like with lower lofted clubs or significant shaft lean), Spin Axis can increase even with the same Face-to-Path. This is why drivers tend to curve more than wedges with the same Face-to-Path relationship.

Understanding these nuances allows for precision in shot analysis that far exceeds what most teaching professionals offer. This science-based approach is why my students at EJS Golf see rapid, lasting improvement without the typical regression period most instructors warn about.

Becoming Your Own Trackman: The Diagnostic Process

Now that you understand the two key ball flight indicators (start direction and curve) and the impact factors they reveal (Face Angle and Face-to-Path), you can diagnose any shot like your own personal Trackman. Here's the process:

1. Observe the ball's initial starting direction relative to your target line. This tells you your Face Angle.

2. Observe how the ball curves after it starts. This tells you the relationship between your Face Angle and Club Path (Face-to-Path).

3. From these two observations, you can deduce your Club Path. Since you know the Face Angle (from step 1) and the difference between Face Angle and Club Path (from step 2), you can calculate what your Club Path must have been.

4. Now you know the key impact numbers that created the shot.

Let's run through some common shots and what they tell us about your impact conditions:

The Straight Pull (Starts Left, Stays Left)

• The ball started left, so your Face Angle was pointed left of the target

• The ball stayed left (didn't curve back), so your Face-to-Path was close to zero

• For Face-to-Path to be near zero when the Face is left, your Club Path must also have been left by a similar amount

• Diagnosis: Face Angle left, Club Path left, and they were aligned with each other. This often indicates an "out-to-in" swing path with a face that matched the path.

The Straight Push (Starts Right, Stays Right)

• The ball started right, so your Face Angle was pointed right of the target

• The ball stayed right, so your Face-to-Path was close to zero

• For Face-to-Path to be near zero when the Face is right, your Club Path must also have been right by a similar amount

• Diagnosis: Face Angle right, Club Path right, and they were aligned with each other. This often indicates an "in-to-out" swing path with a face that matched the path.

The Pull Fade/Cut (Starts Left, Curves Right)

• The ball started left, so your Face Angle was pointed left of the target

• The ball curved back to the right, so your Face-to-Path was positive (Face was open relative to the Path)

• For the Face Angle to be left and the Face to be open relative to the Path, your Club Path must have been even more left than your Face Angle

• Diagnosis: Face Angle left, Club Path even further left, resulting in the Face being open to the Path. This is typically seen with an outside-in swing path.

The Push Draw (Starts Right, Curves Left)

• The ball started right, so your Face Angle was pointed right of the target

• The ball curved back to the left, so your Face-to-Path was negative (Face was closed relative to the Path)

• For the Face Angle to be right and the Face to be closed relative to the Path, your Club Path must have been even more right than your Face Angle

• Diagnosis: Face Angle right, Club Path even further right, resulting in the Face being closed to the Path. This is typically seen with an inside-out swing path.

The Slice (Starts Right or Center, Curves Hard Right)

• The ball started right or near target, so your Face Angle was pointed right of or near the target

• The ball curved hard right, so your Face-to-Path was significantly positive (Face was very open relative to the Path)

• Given the strong curve, the difference between Face Angle and Club Path was large

• Diagnosis: Typically, a large outside-in Club Path combined with a Face Angle that's open relative to that path. The Face Angle could be anywhere from slightly left of target to significantly right of target, but the key is that the Face is open compared to the Path.

The Hook (Starts Left or Center, Curves Hard Left)

• The ball started left or near target, so your Face Angle was pointed left of or near the target

• The ball curved hard left, so your Face-to-Path was significantly negative (Face was very closed relative to the Path)

• Given the strong curve, the difference between Face Angle and Club Path was large

• Diagnosis: Typically, a large inside-out Club Path combined with a Face Angle that's closed relative to that path. The Face Angle could be anywhere from slightly right of target to significantly left of target, but the key is that the Face is closed compared to the Path.

From Diagnosis to Improvement: The Path to Change

Understanding what happened at impact is half the battle. Now, let's discuss how to address the specific issues we've diagnosed.

In my Scottsdale golf academy, I never leave students stuck in diagnosis mode – we immediately transition to solutions. Once you've diagnosed your impact conditions, you can focus on specific changes that will transform your ball flight.

Face Control Drills

If your diagnosis shows a Face Angle issue, these drills can help:

1. The Spray Paint Drill: Apply foot spray or sunscreen to your clubface and hit balls to see precisely where impact occurs. This reveals not just the quality of strike but also face orientation tendencies.

2. The Clock Face Drill: Imagine the clubface as a clock, with 12 o'clock pointing straight up. Practice rotating the face to different "times" during your swing to develop awareness and control of face orientation.

3. Half-Speed Face Control: Make half-speed swings while consciously controlling face rotation. This builds the neurological pathways needed for face awareness at full speed.

Recently, I worked with Sarah, a 15-handicap who consistently started the ball right of target. Using TrackMan and force plate data, we identified that her face was 4-5° open at impact. After just 30 minutes of these face control drills, she was starting the ball on target. By slowing things down and creating awareness of face orientation, Sarah developed a feel for a square face that she could take to the course immediately.

Path Control Techniques

If your diagnosis reveals a Path issue, these approaches can help:

1. Hall Pass Drill: Place an alignment stick or club on the ground along your target line, and practice swinging the clubhead along this line through impact.

2. Gate Drill: Create a "gate" using two alignment sticks or headcovers that your club must travel through on the correct path. Set it up to encourage an in-to-out path (for slicers) or an out-to-in path (for hookers).

3. Directional Tee Drill: Place a tee in the ground pointing in your desired swing path direction. Focus on swinging the club in the direction the tee is pointing.

Last month at my Scottsdale golf lessons facility, I worked with Mike, a 9-handicap struggling with a significant out-to-in path causing a pull-fade. Using biomechanical analysis, we discovered his lower body was sliding laterally instead of rotating properly, forcing an over-the-top move. After establishing a proper pivot sequence with these path drills, his path changed from 3° out-to-in to 1° in-to-out in just two sessions. The result? A consistent, controllable draw that added 15 yards to his drives.

Advanced Concepts: Body Motion and Biomechanics

While understanding ball flight laws helps you diagnose what's happening at impact, the next level is understanding the biomechanical causes behind these impact conditions. This is where my approach to golf biomechanics differs from most instructors.

For example, an open clubface at impact often stems from insufficient lead wrist flexion or excessive lead arm supination. These issues themselves are frequently caused by improper pressure shifts, poor kinematic sequencing, or inadequate ground force utilization.

At EJS Golf, I use cutting-edge technology including:

• Force plates to measure ground reaction forces

• 3D motion capture for precise kinematic sequencing

• High-speed video for visual confirmation

• TrackMan for impact and ball flight data

This comprehensive approach allows us to not just treat symptoms (ball flight issues) but address root causes (biomechanical inefficiencies). The result is improvement that happens immediately and lasts forever – no getting worse before getting better.

Common Misconceptions About Ball Flight

Let's clear up some persistent myths that might be holding you back:

Myth #1: "I slice because I come over the top"

While an outside-in path can contribute to a slice, it's not the primary cause. You can have an outside-in path and still draw the ball if your face is closed to that path. The face-to-path relationship is what determines curve, not path alone.

Myth #2: "I need to roll my hands over to hit a draw"

Active hand manipulation is a bandaid, not a solution. A proper draw comes from having the face closed to the path at impact – which happens naturally with correct biomechanics and sequencing. Trying to "flip" the hands creates timing issues and inconsistency.

Myth #3: "My slice is caused by a weak grip"

Grip strength can influence face control, but it's not a direct cause-effect relationship. Many Tour players have "weak" grip positions but control the face perfectly through dynamic motion. Focus on impact conditions, not static positions.

Myth #4: "I pulled it because I swung too fast"

Speed doesn't cause directional issues – face and path do. In fact, many pulled shots occur precisely because players decelerate through impact, preventing proper face rotation. The ability to maintain speed while controlling face and path is the hallmark of elite players.

Myth #5: "The ball always starts where your path is going"

As we've established, this outdated belief is simply incorrect. The ball starts primarily in the direction the face is pointing at impact, not where the path is going.

Understanding these truths about ball flight is why my students at EJS Golf experience such rapid improvement. When you know what's actually happening, you can make changes that produce immediate, measurable results.

Real-World Application: From Range to Course

Understanding ball flight in theory is one thing – applying it during a real round is another. Here's how to bridge that gap:

Pre-Shot Diagnostics

Before making any swing changes on the course, observe your ball flight patterns during the first few holes. Are you consistently starting the ball left? Right? How is it curving? This information provides your baseline impact conditions.

On-Course Adjustments

Once you understand your tendencies, you can make informed adjustments:

1. For a consistent pull (left face angle): Focus on feeling like the clubface is pointing more right through impact. Exaggerate this feel during practice swings.

2. For a persistent slice (open face-to-path): Work on feeling like the toe of the club is rotating more aggressively through impact. During practice swings, exaggerate the feeling of the clubface pointing left of your swing direction after impact.

3. For a hook (closed face-to-path): Focus on maintaining the face angle you have at address through impact. During practice swings, feel like the clubface stays more "open" through the hitting zone.

Remember: what you feel isn't always real. Exaggerate the feel to achieve the real change you need.

A Lesson from the Tour

When I worked with a PGA Tour player last year at my Scottsdale golf academy, we discovered that despite his consistent ball-striking, his club path was slightly out-to-in with irons, causing him to miss fractionally left under pressure. By understanding his baseline impact conditions through ball flight analysis, we made a simple adjustment to his pivot sequence that neutralized his path.

During the next tournament, when he felt pressure mounting, he had a clear diagnostic tool – his ball flight – to recognize his tendency and make immediate adjustments. The result? He finished top-5 that week and has maintained that improved pattern since.

This level of self-diagnosis is available to every golfer, regardless of handicap. It just requires understanding these fundamental ball flight laws.

Conclusion: Becoming the Master of Your Ball Flight

You absolutely can become your own Trackman. By mastering the fundamental ball flight laws – understanding that start direction tells you Face Angle and curvature tells you Face-to-Path – you gain the power to accurately diagnose every shot you hit.

No more guessing, no more relying solely on feels that might be misleading. This is about applying the scientific reality of impact to your game. When you know why the ball did what it did based on the undeniable physics of the D-Plane, you can make targeted, effective changes to your swing.

The guesswork ends today. The path to improvement is clear:

1. Observe where your shot starts (reveals Face Angle)

2. Note how it curves (reveals Face-to-Path)

3. Deduce your Club Path from these two observations

4. Make specific adjustments based on this diagnosis

This approach is the foundation of my teaching philosophy at EJS Golf. It's why my students experience immediate improvement without the frustration of getting worse before getting better. It's the science of better golf.

Ready to transform your understanding and take your game to the next level? You have several options:

1. Book a lesson with me at my Scottsdale facility

2. Work with me through my online golf instruction program

3. Download my free practice guide to start improving your diagnosis skills immediately

The science of better golf awaits you, and you won't have to get worse before you get better. I guarantee it.

Read more articles on my blog about golf biomechanics, ball striking secrets, and science-based improvement methods.

Coach Erik Schjolberg

The Science of Better Golf

Scottsdale Golf Lessons

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