Why Take Notice of Your Shot Dispersion?
May 18, 2024
Shot dispersion is a crucial metric in golf that measures the average distance of a golfer's missed hits. How far each shot spreads from left to right and front to back determines their shot dispersion. For example, if a golfer hits a bucket and their shots end up to the left, right, long, and short of the target, this spread constitutes their shot dispersion.
“Golf is a game of misses. He who misses the best, wins,” said Ben Hogan.
The late Ben Hogan had 71 professional wins and one of the most remarkable accomplishment in PGA majors having won nine of the sixteen majors he entered. That means, the golfer who was considered to be one of the greatest ball strikers to every play the game believed golf was not a game of good shots but a game of bad shots.
So, understanding your misses probably matters more than you think.
If you don’t have access to a launch monitor, the simplest way to determine your shot dispersion is by hitting 20 shots with same driver. The resulting pattern of balls indicate how far each shot spans from left to right and back to front. Ideally, your balls should form an oval shape. Now, your goal is to make this oval as small as possible to gain better control over your tee shot.
Learn how to take dead aim...
Once you understand your misses, you can refine your aim or what a famous golf instructor named Harvey Penick called “Take Dead Aim” by developing the ability to execute the shot you shape in your mind. Since most golfers naturally curve their tee shot in a specific direction and at a particular height, that’s their natural shot shape or starting point. With the right mindset on the practice tee, any golfer can develop unique shot shapes. Moreover, you will have a better idea as to where you want your tee shot to land.
What Shot Shaping Can Do For Your Game
Depending on your natural ball flight, certain shot shapes might come more easily to you. Golfers who typically hit down on the ball might find a low shot is more achievable, while those whose shots tend to veer right may find it easier to fade the ball off the tee. Below, we explain the different types of shot shaping, including:
Draw Drive – A draw in golf refers to a specific ball flight where the ball starts outside the target line immediately after impact and then curves back to towards the middle of the fairway. For right-handed golfers, this means the ball will curve to the left, while for left-handed golfers, it will curve to the right. Mastering the draw shot can give you more control and flexibility in your game, helping you navigate around obstacles and shape your shots.
Fade Drive – A fade shot in golf is a type of ball trajectory that starts inside the target line after impact and then curves out. Unlike an accidental slice, a fade is usually executed deliberately by golfers who aim to start the ball to the left of the target and let it bend back towards it. Executing a fade shot requires a slightly steeper swing path and a more open clubface. Since it is an easier shot to land exactly where you want, its valuable for any golfer.
Low Drive – The punch shot, also known as the stinger, is a golf maneuver that gained fame through the legendary Tiger Woods. This technique involves hitting the ball at a much lower trajectory than a standard shot, making it invaluable for specific challenges, such as battling a strong headwind or crosswind. A stinger minimizes the ball's spin, enabling it to roll farther than a higher flight path would allow.
High Drive – A high shot off the tee box is essential for any golfer wanting to add to their skill set. This technique involves hitting the golf ball significantly higher than your standard shot, which can be a game-changer in various scenarios. Whether you’re navigating hazards, bypassing trees, or seeking extra distance when a fairway favors a big rollout, it’s essential to master the lofted drive can give you a distinct advantage on the course.
On the course, the debate over which shot shape is better—the fade or the draw—never ends. Each tee shot has its proponents and specific advantages, making it essential for golfers to understand how and when to use each. Interestingly, many professional golfers prefer playing a fade with their driver. The reason is simple as it is easier to control where the ball ends up. While distance is crucial, professionals often value hitting more fairways over gaining a few extra yards. They also know to hit the drive they need off the tee in windy conditions.
Build a Shot-Shaping Formula Fire Driver
By reducing overall shot dispersion and mastering shot shaping, golfers can gain better control over their shots and improve their scores in every round they play. Low-handicap golfers often shape their shots to account for weather conditions, obstacles, and hazards. The beauty of golf lies in discovering the shot shape that best suits your swing speed and building a driver accordingly. Customizing a Krank driver to match your swing is a good strategy for any course you play.
An effective way to improve landing the ball off the tee where you intended is by minimizing the rotation of the clubface through the hitting area. This can be achieved by carefully considering the position of your arms as you deliver the club into the ball. However, if you are not swinging a driver that matches your swing, being able to shape the shot you need may be a more difficult task than need be. Visit Krank Golf online to learn more about our approach to building your driver.
Ultimately, mastering both the fade and draw as well as the high shot and a stinger can make you a lower handicap golfer. Good on-course skill sets and putting the right driver in your bag will allow you to adapt to varying course conditions and situations. When you need control over both distance and accuracy off the tee box, consider adding a Krank Formula Fire Driver. It’s the preferred choice for PGA and World Long Drive pros aiming to hit the ball longer with more accuracy.
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The next time you find yourself wishing you could hit the shot shape you need off the tee box, consider the specific advantages have a custom-fitted Krank Formula Fire Driver personalized for your specific golf swing. Chances are the driver you’re trying to hit is not helping your efforts. Give us a call today about customizing a driver to fit your swing... and Happy Golfing!
