The in-to-out or out-to-in movement of the club head’s geometric center at the time of maximum compression
Club Path is the direction the club head is moving (right or left) at impact and is measured relative to the target line.
Most golfers relate this number to hitting the ball “in-to-out” or “out-to-in”.
A positive value means the club is moving to the right of the target at impact (“in-to-out” for a right-handed golfer) and a negative value means it is moving to the left of the target (“out-to-in” for a right-handed golfer).
To hit a straight shot, the club path should be zero. The club path is part of what influences the curvature of the shot. It also is part of what determines the ball’s starting direction.
An “in-to-out” club path is necessary to hit a draw and an “out-to-in” club path is necessary to hit a fade. The optimal club path depends on the type of shot the golfer wants to play. A golfer may want to hit a 5 yard fade, straight shot, or 10 yard draw. Each of these shots has its own optimal club path.
Technical Definition:
Club Path – The horizontal direction of the club head’s geometric center movement at the time of maximum compression
- positive value means the club is moving to the right of the target line regardless of dexterity
- negative value means the club is moving to the left of the target line regardless of dexterity
Must See:
When Lining Up Square is Wrong
Zeoring Out Club Path
The standard assumption for club path is zero for all clubs. It is a standard assumption that the ball starts straight at the target and has no curvature (zero spin axis).
What our TrackMan Masters say about Club Path…
Christoph Bausek
Progressive Golf, Austria
“My preference is to see club path numbers within a +/- 3-6 degree range, depending on whether the golfer wants to play a fade or draw. I do not like to see golfers with a path of zero.
With a club path of zero, the slightest negative face angle will create a negative spin axis and curve the ball away from the target.
Vice versa with a zero club path and a positive face angle. This will create a positive spin axis and curve the ball away from the target as well.”
Richard Woodhouse
KDV Sports, Australia
“One of my very first parameters I observe with all golfers is club path. Club path references the direction the club head is moving at the moment of collision.
If the path is moving in an excessively negative (out-to-in) or positive (in-to-out) direction, then the golfer is going to require a face angle compensation to get the ball flying towards the target.
This will often cause a big separation between the face angle and club path resulting in excessive curvature and inconsistent ball flight.”
Joel Mercieca
KDV Sports, Australia
“In a single lesson, I have helped golfers make changes to their golf swings that may have taken a full lesson package in the past.
When a golfer sees their club path number change through the use of a drill or a change in concept, they trust that they are on the right track and commit to making the change permanent.”
😊great article
Is this article about a fitting or lessons on how to adjust your approach, alignment, setup, aim and swing path,
all just to satisfy the machine’s static requirements ?
FAIL
After two Trackman sessions with Jeff Johnson, the metrics give clear indications where improvement efforts can be focused. I now feel like I can truly understand how much my Club Path (outside-in) impacts my swing quality. Now… to find some drills to get that swing going Inside-Out. Any recommendations?