Geometry of the circle and how it applies to shot shaping .
Guys and Gals
Id like to discuss ball response , shot shaping from a geometric perspective. Ive posted this in the Lab to encourage free expression and extrapolation beyond what Homer alluded to in his book. But lets stick to Homerian based , backed up with quotes extrapolations.
IMO Homer wasnt the first to attack ball reaction in golf through the looking glass provided by geometry . Others of course have addressed the subject from other angles ; a physics perspective and/or with radar data etc. Each with their own benefits perhaps.
In light of these various interesting and worthy investigations and the potential for discord, if I may, I'd like to propose a singular rule for our own enjoyment and sanity.
RULE #1. Lets leave discord of any nature and those other forms of investigation aside and stick to the geometry of the circle alone. Please.
Lets:
1. Pull Homers references to ball response together , verbatim. Its all over the place in the book. What do you guys have saved to your computers?
2. Re Post Yoda's thoughts on the matter. There is one post in particular that we need to dissect carefully. There is clarification needed, perhaps he will help out.
3. Discuss how we use this geometry to shape our shots?
4. Try to doodle some drawings that would better explain the geometry Homer was referring to . Geometry being best understood in drawings rather than words after all. A major factor in why the book is so dang obtuse IMO. Imagine high school geometry class in words only! Over and above ball response if we go a little further with the drawings we would be knocking on the door to a visual explanation to one of Homers more perplexing (but keerect) statements: "There is no angle of approach to the angle of approach".
I can take us fairly deep into this stuff (I think tbd) but I need your help with the references and further insight. I thank you in advance.
The actual , in the field , clubhead orbit , given the moving centre and lever contraction and extension does not describe a perfect circle . But the geometry of the circle still holds as a model for investigation. If this is still problematic then consider this : nearing the impact area (where the rubber hits the road) the orbit is at its most circular nature given lever extension. Still not perfectly circular but darn close.
Also the geometry of the ellipse is born of the geometry of the circle.
I know that some have used this against homer in the past but i wont mention that as it would be a violation of rule #1 and Id have to ask myself to delete or edit my own post.
Another need for a “perfect circle” motion is for directional control. If the Clubface is maintaining a constant relationship to the radius of its rotation – whether the face is open, closed or square – then the direction imparted at any one point of the arc will always be the same for “centered” (Sweet Spot) Impact (2-F).
When the Target Line is introduced, the intersection is called Low Point.
What do you say we call the target line in your drawing the LOW POINT PLANE LINE . It is one and the same as the target line in your drawing given that geometry/ball placement at low point, but the target line and the low plane line diverge as the ball moves back , up and in along the arc of approach. Eh?
We're getting ahead of ourselves maybe but what do you think D?
Two new points:
Quote from D above-then the direction imparted at any one point of the arc will always be the same for “centered” (Sweet Spot) Impact (2-F).
2-D-O - Par.2 "the Angular Motion in a Golf Stroke is compounded by its dual Center. One Center is for Clubhead as a whole, and the other Center is for Clubface position."
note- great care is also/always needed in application of HK 's use of Cap's, "quotes" and Ital.
That being said- It would be that the golfer could strike the ball at any point on the "circles" with the same results relative to the tangent to the circle at the point struck. ??
Which then leads me to the 2 thoughts. 1. Is the circle shape important beyond practical use? 2. Is anything important beyond alignment of the clubface relative to the direct of the clubface at impact?
In the mean time, before we try try to draw the club face lets nail a few more things in the basic drawing.
-add a stick man golfer guy, with the centre of the radius at his left shoulder and a head.
-have him address a ball back of low point and draw the Impact Plane Line .
-note the increased Angle of Attack.
This is still in a purely vertical plane as D noted above . Things start to get interesting when you lay the whole shebang on an inclined plane with the guys head and eyes (the golfers perspective per 2-C whatever) above the plane . There are unique perspectives to most of Homers definitions that must be recognized . IMO this is the key to being able to understand Homerian geometry speak , words. You must be able to mentally jump from one perspective to another . Golfers view , caddy , down the line , true path of the clubhead even. Vagueness on this breeds misunderstanding when communicating. It is so easy to get mixed up on this and when communicating geometry in words. Easy for folks to use the same words but with vastly different "perspectives", definitions. Once cracked , what at first seems like Homerian code language becomes profoundly useful. You could call up Yoda long distance and clearly , precisely discuss the mechanics necessary for the progression your own procedure for instance. As he did with Homer .... many times.
Guys this geometric perspective is also a language . This thread could get interesting if its possible for us speak the same language. Much of our discussions around here get bogged down in the mud of differences in definition. Not saying Im any better or worse just saying. Who knows maybe Mike O. will come on down with some stuff that shocks the world . Double D 's just itching to unleash a whirlwind of drawings I bet. Lets get the language straight and then roll with it.
Not saying the whole book will come together ... I still think Homer was nuts. As are we probably.
Linear Mode
