Indoor Improvement

At the Running Y Ranch Resort, there is finally a winter with snow. In colder climates, golfers tend to get a little "rusty" with their game and feel as though it takes months to get back in shape. Do not let this happen to you this year. There are some great resources available to you and different ways that you can maintain, and even improve your game during a cold season or long Spring thaw.

I believe the most important part of our golf game is our body and it's connection to our swing. This is the machine that runs every golf shot and moves us through life. 

I emphasize flexibility and strength with all of my students as part of my lessons, and I recommend regular exercise and stretching year 'round. Take advantage of the resources available to you such as the exercise facility at the Sandhill Spa or a certified trainer to help develop a routine which allows you to improve or maintain strength and flexibility. Stay active, keep your machine in good order, and focus on improving a weakness or injury. Stay fit so you can hit the course in better shape this Spring.

The membership of the Running Y and the golfing public of Klamath Falls are very fortunate to now have access to TrackMan and the indoor hitting facility at our course. I highly recommend that you take advantage of this resource. Golfers can chose to work on their swing or play a round of golf on one of the several famous courses uploaded on the simulator. Stop by or call the pro shop to ask about all of the options and capabilities of the new system.

Putting is definitely part of the game which can be improved or maintained through the winter. We tend to spend more time indoors or in front of a television during the colder months, so incorporate some putting practice or games to help spend this time more productively. Make a small investment in a putting mat if you do not already have a carpet that works well for this purpose. To make sure you are working on improving your stroke pattern, I recommend some sort of device for feedback, or drills. Whether it is a training aid or simply a straight line to your target, use something which helps your set-up, your stroke, and improves the quality of impact.

As Spring approaches, get your golf game warmed up by using resources available to you at the Running Y Ranch Resort or by adding new practices to your daily routine.

Spin Axis

Ball flight curvature is directly related to the orientation of what TrackMan has labeled the "spin axis." A positive spin axis will curve the ball to the right, while a negative spin axis will curve the ball to the left.

There are three components that have to be considered when trying to explain ball curvature or what we refer to as spin axis: club face to club path relationship, off-center impact, and club face rotation rate through impact.

The primary source of generating spin axis is explained by any difference between the club path and the angle of the club face to the path. For right-handed golfers, an open face (to the right) relationship to the path or direction of the club, will produce positive spin to the right or what we call a fade. Negative spin axis to the left or a draw, will be produced by a closed club face relationship to the path.

Off-center impact occurs if the ball is impacted anywhere but in front of the center of gravity of the club. If off-center impact occurs, the club head will tend to rotate during impact. The counter action of the ball is to rotate the other way, like a gear. This added component of spin will add or subtract from any spin axis.

A rotating club face through impact can also create the counter action of the ball to rotate the other way, (like a gear), exactly as explained above for off-center impact. It is primarily the speed at which this action occurs, that has an effect on spin axis. 

Understanding spin axis, or what creates ball curvature, is an important part of becoming a more educated player. This knowledge can help us better assess our ball-flight and personal patterns, which then leads to improvement.

Why TrackMan?

At the Running Y, we are very fortunate to have access to such a well-designed course and excellent practice and golf facilities. The existing golf experience will soon be further enhanced with the addition of TrackMan to the Running Y.

TrackMan is the industry leader in measuring two major influences on ball-flight; club-head and ball data. Using radar, TrackMan measures angles, speeds, and distances. With 26 different data points, TrackMan has influenced how golf professionals not only understand what makes a ball do what it does in flight, but also how we teach and continue to learn about impact. 

But "why" TrackMan for the average golfer? Simply put, TrackMan answers questions with facts. Facts give us all knowledge and trust. You don't need to be a tour professional to understand and appreciate how and why our golf ball moves after impact. When we learn the "why" associated with ball-flight, we can begin to focus on how we can either change our swing or equipment to affect our personal results. 

The Running Y has become a leader in golf swing and ball-flight analysis with the addition of TrackMan. I encourage everyone to experience how TrackMan can work for them and their own personal game.