Pinch/trap it between the clubface and the turf?

[Gibby]

I hear this description of compression constantly.

This is more of a conceptual thing, right? I mean, if this were literally happening, the ball would be compressing in two different places: the top and the bottom. When I watch a pro compress the ball in slow motion, the only point of compression occurs at the back of the ball.

The words "pinching" and "trapping" suggest that the force is being delivered down into the top of the ball, driving it down into the turf, and then the ball somehow rebounding off the ground into the air.

So although this seems to be an effective description of the intended feeling, it is not literally what happens. Right?

[JamesBurg]

Right.

[Kevin Shields]

Originally Posted by Gibby

I hear this description of compression constantly.

This is more of a conceptual thing, right? I mean, if this were literally happening, the ball would be compressing in two different places: the top and the bottom. When I watch a pro compress the ball in slow motion, the only point of compression occurs at the back of the ball.

The words "pinching" and "trapping" suggest that the force is being delivered down into the top of the ball, driving it down into the turf, and then the ball somehow rebounding off the ground into the air.

So although this seems to be an effective description of the intended feeling, it is not literally what happens. Right?

This Peter Kostis type description drives me absolutely effin crazy every time i hear it on TV. I dont know where it came from.

[Mashie72]

I'm not 100% sure...There might be a small resultant trapping force in terms of added/less resistance..If you take 3 lies, the sand, normal grass lie and hardpan, I would think you would hit the ball three slightly different distances.

Mashie 72

[Robbohank]

Seems like "pinch or trap" is still what's happening to some degree. Any good iron shot is going to be ball-first contact which indicates a slightly descending blow, and the turf is providing "some" resistance.

What would be a more accurate description that "the masses" would understand?

[Jim Kobylinski]

No, no, no.

The ball is GONE before the club is even taking a DIVOT if you hit it correctly. Its just a feel
not a real.

[JamesBurg]

You would have to have a club with negative loft to compress a ball, even slightly, against whatever it is lying on.

[Kevin Shields]

Originally Posted by Jim Kobylinski

No, no, no.

The ball is GONE before the club is even taking a DIVOT if you hit it correctly. Its just a feel
not a real.

To concur, the ball in a good swing is long gone before any contact with the ground or tee on any surface. Just look at the swingvisions on you tube. Its as plain as day.

[Kevin Shields]

Originally Posted by Mashie72

I'm not 100% sure...There might be a small resultant trapping force in terms of added/less resistance..If you take 3 lies, the sand, normal grass lie and hardpan, I would think you would hit the ball three slightly different distances.

Mashie 72

If you're not hitting it absolutely correct, you might get a flyer off the grass lie. Assuming no interference with the ball-face contact, all 3 lies should travel the same distance.

[Damon Lucas]

I think what happens a lot of the time with various lies is that people instinctively adjust the amount of forward lean and angle of attack to ensure good contact and that creates different trajectories and spin rates. Also the type of release might change, and combined you get some different spin rates.