When playing golf, you are required to play a range of different shots. When discussing shots and how to play them, you will sometimes be asked to open or close the club face. For the seasoned golfer, open, closed or square club face are recognisable terms but for beginner golfers, they may be confusing.
This week, we are going to take a look at open, closed and square club face and what they mean when playing a shot. Today, we are going to begin with the square club face.
A square club face is when the club is placed behind the ball and the line of the club face is perpendicular to the target. In other words, the face of the club is pointing directly at where you are trying to hit the ball and not to either side of the target.
The square club face is the natural position for playing golf shots. To play a shot with a square club face, you grip the club in the normal manner and ground the head of the club behind the ball. When playing the shot, the face of the club should remain square to the target and not move during the swing.
As the club face comes down to contact the ball, it should still be facing the target. For example, if you were aiming at the flag on the green and it was straight in-front of you, with no need to work the ball in from a angle, you can play the shot with a square club face.
Remember, the way the club face is positioned when contacting the ball will have the biggest impact on the direction the ball will travel. That means, playing the shot with a square club face will send the ball directly forward, at least initially.
Playing a shot using a perfectly square club face will not impart any extra spin on the ball and that promotes a straight ball flight. There are other factors which can change the direction of the ball following contact with the club face and you must take these into account. However, a square club face is the best way to hit the ball straight.
Remember, the key part of the body which controls the direction of the club face through the swing is the hands. If the palm of the bottom hand on the swing is in line with the club face, you know the grip on the club is correct and you should be able to keep the club face square through impact.
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