Forces at Work

Here are some interesting facts regarding what occurs during the golf swing.

1. At impact your shaft has bowed downward and forward. It has actually shortened about 1/4 inch.

2. The time from the top of a player's backwing to impact is 1/5 to 3/5 of a second.

3. The ball stays on the clubface about 5/10,000 of a second. During this time the club travels
about 3/4 to 1 inch.

4. The energy applied to the ball at impact approaches 2,000 pounds and compresses the ball
15 to 30 percent of its original diameter.

5. At 100 MPH clubhead speed the clubface slows to 82 MPH at impact and the ball leaves the clubface at about 135 MPH.

6. The ball is 10 to 12 inches from the clubface when the player feels impact.

7. 40 to 60 pounds of centrifugal force is pulling downward from a player's hands at impact.

8. With a driver if the ball is hit on face center the face angle will have 60 to 70% influence on initial ball direction and path will have 30 to 40% influence.