Published: August 01, 2009 11:03 pm      

SHOT-MAKING: Art or science?

Getting the ball to go where you want is equal parts science and art. A professional golfer has a mastery of mind, body and club that is likened to an artist’s exquisite control of a paintbrush on a canvas, or a musician’s deft fingertips on an instrument.

When a pro fires a short approach shot, there is no easy way to judge whether the velocity, launch angle, and spin rate were optimal. We can only judge the results. If they are good, then we marvel at the shot-making ability that delivered that outcome.

The art of shot-making is about considering the best range of scientific strategies and matching it with our best artistry as a shot-maker.

There are a thousand different combinations of velocity, launch angle, and spin rate that will get the ball to the hole. The art of shot-making is choosing the combination that is best.

Although a professional golfer often has difficulty explaining the theoretical reason for a shot-making decision, he almost always has confidence that what he has in mind will work.

Scientifically, these skills are developed through observation and experimentation, the culmination of the development of a wide range of ball-striking skills and a deeper understanding of how the environment determines where the shot goes.