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What part of the ball do you look at?


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Lesson time again today. I think I'm going to drive my teacher nuts because I dragged him into a lengthy discussion about what part of the ball to look at. I've always looked at the back, he said inside is normally best.

 

What do you guys look at?

 

Also he's moving me closer to the ball which is difficult. After the lesson I decided to keep moving closer and close with a 7 iron until I couldn't hit it. I then backed away a tad and was killing it, high, hint of draw, out where my 6 iron had been going during the lesson, Now if I can figure how to set that spot always I will be on to something.

Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60  Aldila  R flex   - 42.25 inches 

SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft

Ping G410 7, 9 wood  Alta 65 R flex

Srixon ZX5 MK II  5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex

India 52,56 (60 pending)  UST recoil 75's R flex  

Evon roll ER 5 32 inches

It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD   

 

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I also look at the back of the ball,  try to concentrate on a single dimple, but my progressive lenses make it difficult.

Driver: image.png.6ba1c8a254ad57aa05e527b74c2e04ba.png0311 XF 10.5* w/Project X Cypher 40 gram Senior shaft or 0811 XF 12* w/Evenflo Riptide CB Senior shaft

Fairways:  image.png.80321f01fc46450b6f428c7daf7b3471.png0211 5W & 7W w/ Evenflo Riptide CB  regular shaft and Tour Edge E521 9W w/Fubuki HD50 regular shaft

Hybrid: None in bag at the moment

IronsTitleist T300 5-PW w/Fubuki MV Senior graphite shafts w/Golf Pride Tour

Wedges: Edison forged 49*, 53* and 57* wedges with KB PGI Senior shafts(80 grm).

Putter: 33” Evnroll ER6R or  ER2 or Bellum Winmore Model 707,   or Nike Method Core Drone  w/Evnroll Gravity Grip

Bag: Vice cart bag(Black/Lime). 

Ball: Snell MTB Prime X, Maxfli Tour/S/X CG, Titleist Pro V1x or Titleist TruFeel

Using Shot Scope X5 and Pinned Rangefinder

 

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I look at the outside of the ball.  The inside is too dark... :rolleyes:

 

What's in the bag:
 
Driver:  :titelist-small:TSR3; :wilson_staff_small: DynaPWR Carbon
FW Wood: :wilson_staff_small: DynaPWR 3-wood; :titleist-small: TSR 2+
Hybrids:  PXG Gen4 18-degree
Utility Irons: :srixon-small: ZX MkII 20* 
Irons:;  :Sub70:699/699 Pro V2 Combo; :wilson_staff_small: D9 Forged;  :macgregor-small:MT86 (coming soon!); :macgregor-small: VIP 1025 V-Foil MB/CB; 

Wedges:  :cleveland-small: RTX6 Zipcore
Putter: :cleveland-small: HB Soft Milled 10.5;  :scotty-small: Newport Special Select;  :edel-golf-1:  Willamette,  :bettinardi-small: BB8; :wilson-small: 8802; MATI Monto

Ball: :bridgestone-small: Tour B RXS; :srixon-small: Z-STAR Diamond; :wilson_staff_small: Triad

Stat Tracker/GPS Watch: :ShotScope:


 
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I've never thought about it before, I just look at the ball and swing.

Driver: :taylormade-small: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black

3w: :taylormade-small:'16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82

5w: :cleveland-small: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow

Hybrid: :cleveland-small: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black

Irons: :cleveland-small: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Wedges: :cleveland-small: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Putter: :odyssey-small: Red 7s

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Back inside, sometimes my eyes are even open at impact

In The Bag
Driver: TaylorMade M2 (2017) w/ Project X T1100 HZRDUS Handcrafted 65x 
Strong 3 wood: Taylormade M1 15* w/ ProjectX T1100 HZRDUS handcrafted 75x
3 Hybrid: Adams PRO 18* w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4 Hybrid: Adams PRO 20* (bent to 21*) w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4-AW: TaylorMade P770 w/ Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Black Onyx S400

SW: 56* Scratch Tour Dept(CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
LW: 60* Scratch Tour Department (CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
XW: 64* Cally XForged Vintage w/ DG X100 8 iron tiger stepped
Putter: Nike Method Prototype 006 at 34"

Have a ton of back-ups in all categories, but there are always 14 clubs in the bag that differ depending on the course and set-up. Bomb and gouge. Yes, I'm a club gigolo.

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I'm like hcky.... I just look at it.

 

Rev... have you ever seen Butch Harmon talk about how to determine your correct distance/stance from the ball? I can't describe it well here but basically.... you address the ball. Then you let your right hand go from the club and see where it dangles. No movement (or very little) = correct. Right hand swings forward a bit= too far. Right hand dangles back=too close You can probably find him demonstrating this on YouTube.

My Sun Mountain bag currently includes:   TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 771CSI 5i - PW and TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges

                                                                               :755178188_TourEdge: EXS 10.5*, TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 929-HS FW4 16.5* 

                                                                                :edel-golf-1: Willimette w/GolfPride Contour

 

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Isn't this a little like asking a guy who's setting up at address, "Do you inhale or exhale at the back of your swing?"

 

If I don't know (I don't), I don't want to think about it!!

What's In the Bag

Driver - :callaway-small: GBB 

Hybrids  :cleveland-small: Halo XL Halo 18* & :cobra-small: T-Rail 20*

Irons  :cobra-small: T-Rail 2.0

Wedges :ping-small: 60* TS / SCOR 48* 53* 58*

Putter     :scotty-small:

Ball :callaway-logo-1:

Bag Datrek DG Lite  

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here it is... Butch Harmon

 

My Sun Mountain bag currently includes:   TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 771CSI 5i - PW and TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges

                                                                               :755178188_TourEdge: EXS 10.5*, TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 929-HS FW4 16.5* 

                                                                                :edel-golf-1: Willimette w/GolfPride Contour

 

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Typically I don't focus on a part of the ball, I just try to swing through it.

 

I've heard focus on a dimple, or on the front of the ball so as not to hit it fat, or on the ground in front of the ball to take a divot in front, none of that stuff works for me. I do best with as little thinking as possible.

 

My wife will attest to this.

Respectfully,
DHUCK WHOOKER

 

 

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I look at the outside of the ball.  The inside is too dark... :rolleyes:

Besides when you cut it open so you can see inside, it does not fly the same.

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

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I wrote a thread in March 2012 about this called, "7 o'clock is the perfect "time" to hit the ball.

 

I still believe this and hit a spot at the inside-back or 7 o'clock position. At this point in my game, I don't really think about this, however, there was a time when I was not hitting down on the ball properly so instead of looking at the 7 o'clock position, I looked at the 1 o'clock position or a spot just past the ball.

 

As far as more distance by being closer to the ball, (solid contract trumps everything else) but you are probably gaining some speed by standing closer to the ball. Like an ice skater (dancing not hockey) gains speed when spinning by bringing their arms closer to the center of their bodies the same thing happens with the golf swing. As you keep you hands closer to your body, you can turn faster.

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

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I honestly don't pay much attention to any specific part of the ball, if anything I try to ignore it and just swing all the way to my finish. Now if I'm not playing well I do try to picture hitting the core of the ball with the center of the club but otherwise I don't think about it.

Right Handed

4.5 handicap

Driver: Nike Vapor Flex with Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki ZT60x5ct S-flex shaft and stock grip.

3-Metal: Nike VRS 15 degree with Mitsubishi Rayon tour issue Diamana S73x5ct X-flex shaft and GolfPride MCC midsize Black/White grip.

Irons: Ben Hogan PTx 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46 degrees standard length and lie with KBS Tour-V stiff shafts and GolfPride MCC midsize Black/White grips.

Wedges: Ben Hogan TK15 54, 58 degrees with KBS Tour-V X-flex shafts and GolfPride MCC midsize Black/White grips.

Putter: Nike Method Converge B1|01 with Superstroke Flatso 2.0 grip.

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Isn't this a little like asking a guy who's setting up at address, "Do you inhale or exhale at the back of your swing?"

 

If I don't know (I don't), I don't want to think about it!!

Exactly!  I've got too many things to think about, or to try not to think about, to add this to the list!

Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts.

In my Ogio Ozone XX Cart Stand Bag:

Ping G400 10.5 Deg Driver, stock Stiff shaft
TM Rocketballz 19 Deg 5 Wood, stock Matrix Osik Stiff shaft
TM Rocketballz Stage 2 21 Deg Tour 4 Hybrid, Rocketfuel 80h Stiff shaft 

Callaway Apex CF 16 Irons, 4-P, Stiff Shafts
 
Scor 48 and 55 degree wedges.  
Renegar 60 Deg Steel Shaft Lob Wedge

TM Ghost Spider Si 38" Counterbalanced Putter

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Off the tee I always have the brand at a 45° angle facing up towards me and that's what I look at.

 

All other shots I just look at the ball and swing.

In the bag:
Driver: :titelist-small: TSR2 Project X HZRDUS Black 5.5
Fairway: :callaway-small: Apex UW 19° & 21° Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Black 5.5

Irons: :mizuno-small: JPX 923 HMP 5-PW UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4
Wedges: :mizuno-small: T-22 Denim Copper 48°, 52° & 56° UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4
Putter :Sub70: Sycamore 005 Wide Blade
Bag: 
:Ogio: Alpha Convoy 514
Balls: :callaway-small: Chrome Soft X

Cart: :CaddyTek: CaddyLite ONE Ver. 8


God Bless America🇺🇸, God save the King🇬🇧, God defend New Zealand🇳🇿 and thank Christ for Australia🇦🇺!

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With irons I focus about an inch in front of the ball, with driver a few inches behind at the bottom of the swing.

Chippewa Falls Wisconsin

10.3 Index

Right Handed

What's in the bag:

 

Driver: :wilson_staff_small: FG Tour F5 8* Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution Tour Spec X-flex, :ping-small: Anser 8*, Black Grafalloy Bi-Matrix X-Flex; :cobra-small: King LTD Pro Orange Grafalloy Bi-Matrix X-Flex

 

 

FW Wood: :wilson_staff_small: FG Tour F5 15* Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution Tour Spec X-Flex :ping-small: Anse14*, Fujikura Speeder 757 US Open Edition , X-Stiff

 

 

Irons: :wilson_staff_small: FG Tour V4 2 utility Iron, 3-PW, +0.25, 2* Upright, True Temper Dynamic Gold X-100

 

 

Wedges: :wilson_staff_small: FG Tour PMP Gun Blue 52* bent to 51*, 56* True Temper Dynamic Gold X-100 Shafts

 

 

:edel-golf-1: E2 35", :wilson_staff_small: 8802 35.5", :ping-small: Scottsdale, Wolverine C 35" :ping-small: Anser Milled, Anser 2 34"

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I must have "Bob Cousy" level peripheral vision because I can see the entire 1.68" diameter ball at once. Just a gift of birth, I imagine.

There are only 14 people here that know who Bob Cousy was.

We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.”

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I have been giving this a lot of thought and fear that at impact, I am not looking at the ball at all.

 

This may well be why my miss is to pull the ball way left. I am releasing my head too early.

 

I did not play this weekend (actually did not even leave the house other than to slip outside to hit some balls) but did notice that I look at the ball until my hands are almost back where they were at address, but by the time the club makes contact, I am looking up to find the ball.

 

Even so, if I keep my head back I hit it great, if I let my head drift forward, I pull hook the ball, but either way I seem to make solid contact not looking at the ball.

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

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There are only 14 people here that know who Bob Cousy was.

Not me, I am not a basketball fan.

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

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  • 1 month later...

I look at the front slightly outside for all irons but for woods I look at the back slightly inside and focus on a single dimple if I haven't marked it but part of my ball mark is a filled in dimple. I think about a martial artist breaking a board. They don't look at the top of the board they are looking/imagining beyond the bottom of the board.  Makes sense and seems to help me get teh divot in the correct location.  Woods are different only because I am behind the ball so the mark/spot is a nail I am driving thru the ball in my mind.  Used to have to think about this but now it's second nature and consistency is getting much better. So now I set up its target, spot, target spot swing.

Richard father of 7 and ex army enlisted then officer. Love outdoors 

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I honestly have never thought about what part of the golf ball I look at, but it certainly sounds like a topic that I would argue with my instructor about  :D

 

After consciously noticing, I determined that I look at the top of the golf ball (I'm slightly Stack N Tilt).

 

For getting setup the correct distance from the ball: 

 

1. Study tour players setups until you have a good idea of what is acceptable

 

 

2. Now practice over and over again in a full length mirror, or take a few pictures/videos of your setup.

 

I have found this to be the most objective way to setup correctly, primarily because when I try to do it by "feel," I end up getting way off.  This is because one position will feel entirely different to me over the course of a week, so what I feel is one position is actually another, and then I get all messed up :(

WITB:

Driver: Taylormade SLDR 460 w/Oban Devotion X-Stiff
3-Wood: Rocketballz Stage 2 w/Oban Devotion X-Stiff
Hybrid: Titleist 910 H 21 degree w/Diamana X-Stiff
Irons (3-9): Callaway X-Forged w/X-100s tipped 1/2"
Wedges: Cleveland RTX 53/11 and 59/10 w/S400s
Putter: Odyssey White Ice #7


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  • 4 weeks later...

Until 4 years ago I never really took a divot.  After a few lessons and the thought of bottom of the swing is in front of the ball I started looking at the grass in front of the ball.  The ball flight is a lot better now and much more consistent. 

In My Bag

 

Driver TM 9.5 Burner reg shaft.

3 wood TM 15*             "

5 wood TM 18*             "     "

Cobra baffler 3 hybrid

TM 5 hybrid

TM 6 hybrid

TM RSI Irons 6 thru pw

Titleist  Vokey 52* and 56* wedges

 Scotty Cameron Newport 2.6 center shafted putter

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I know I mentioned earlier that my teacher told me not to worry about the ball but I will say that with irons I find that I hit it much better if I look at the outside of the ball - remember my issue is getting stuck too inside - I'm thinking that for most people looking at the inside of the ball would be best.

 

Divots are over rated. :)  That's what I got out of a recent Hank Haney article in one of the golf publications - basically he said not to worry about taking a divot with anything longer than a 7 iron.  I know that Tom Watson was not a big divot taker - my goal right now is to get a divot that points to the left of target - I'm getting close but they still are just a tad to the right.

 

I was on the range yesterday with a mini-tour player who is working on the same thing - he watched my swing for a couple of shots yesterday and told me not to worry about it because I'm right where I should be.  We'll see what my teacher says Friday. :)

Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60  Aldila  R flex   - 42.25 inches 

SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft

Ping G410 7, 9 wood  Alta 65 R flex

Srixon ZX5 MK II  5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex

India 52,56 (60 pending)  UST recoil 75's R flex  

Evon roll ER 5 32 inches

It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD   

 

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For crisp and clean shots, focus on the front of the ball (nearest the hole). Trust me - it works!

I have always focused on a single dimple on the back of the ball, but twice (now three times!) in the last week I have read this "front of the ball" tip. I will definitely try it. Has to be on the range before I dare try it on the course, but it can't be a coincidence.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy mobile app

"Where'd it go?"  "Right in the Lumberyard..."

126422322_PXGLogo_2.png.74a339363ba3931cc4fc226a253621f8.png Gen 2  0811 XF 10.5*  Graphite Design Tour AD DI-6x

126422322_PXGLogo_2.png.74a339363ba3931cc4fc226a253621f8.png Gen 2 0211 15* 3W Mitsubishi Tensei Raw Blue 65-S
:bridgestone-small:  Tour B JGR 15*   Fairway UST ProForce V2 7F5 76g X-Flex

(These two are gonna fight it out in early "24 to see who stays in the bag...)


:bridgestone-small:  Tour B JGR 19* & 22* Hybrid UST ProForce V2 90g X-Flex
:bridgestone-small:  Tour B JGR HF-2 irons (5i - PW)  KBS Tour 130x

:cleveland-small: CBX Wedges (50, 54, 58)  TT Dynamic Gold 115 Wedge Shaft
MATI  Mamo Putter 33"  Super Stroke Football League 3.0 Slim
MX21TOURYLW_NOCOLOR_FRT.jpg.79e37b9c329b3d3a644cb61d2746a057.jpg

:ping-small: Hoofer Camo Stand Bag

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro Nexus Rangefinder

:PuttOut:FAN!

1711524086_TheGrintlogo_text_1.png.c1eb3f656b10191d1fc9a14a0fd77f95.png PRO Member

 

 

 

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Full swings with short irons front of the ball.  Long irons back of the ball.  Not sure why..In fact I had to pay attention while I hit a few to even notice.  Though there are times I pick a spot past the ball, or behind it.  Bunkers come to mind for a spot behind.  If my swing is coming through too shallow (sweeping) I will sometimes look ahead of the ball for a couple shots to get me back on track. 

:ping-small: S57 DG S300 stiff

 

:taylormade-small:  M1 430 8.5 Matrix Black Tie 

 

:ping-small:  Tour Wedges stiff

 

:taylormade-small:  SLDR 16* mini driver Fuji Speeder stiff

 

:taylormade-small: SLDR 21* hybrid Fuji Speeder stiff

 

:cameron-small: Futura  Superstroke mid slim 2.0

 

:taylormade-small:  project (a) #7's

 

 

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