Ball Flight Laws #2 - Centeredness of Contact

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Welcome back to The Approach! This series is about more than just swing tweaks or practice drills—it’s about building the knowledge that fuels meaningful, lasting improvement. If you want to get better at something, understanding why it works is crucial. Knowledge provides clarity, helping you identify the root causes of your challenges and focus on what truly matters. It transforms practice from trial and error into a deliberate, results-driven process. Whether you’re learning to improve ball striking or exploring strategies to gain consistency, every piece of knowledge adds up to more confidence, better decisions, and faster progress.

In today’s newsletter, we’re focusing on centeredness of contact, one of the five ball flight laws that directly influences your consistency and distance. Last week, we explored clubhead speed and its role in optimizing performance. Together, these insights are building a foundation to help you improve your game from the inside out. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of The Approach Podcast, where I chatted with Craig Czerniejewski about transforming visions into reality—both in golf and beyond. Links to listen are below.

BALL FLIGHT LAWS

 Centeredness of Contact

Mastering this is the key to explosive distance and pinpoint accuracy

Last week, we talked about clubhead speed—the engine that gets the ball moving. But here’s the thing: without centeredness of contact, all the speed in the world won’t deliver consistent, powerful results. In golf, nothing maximizes a shot like hitting the middle of the clubface.

Let’s use a trampoline to make this more relatable. When you land dead center, the springs work in harmony to launch you sky-high, efficiently using your energy. But if you land off-center, you wobble, lose height, and feel unstable. Golf works the same way. Striking the sweet spot ensures the energy you generate with your swing transfers fully into the ball.

You’ve probably heard the term smash factor before—it’s a measure of how efficiently energy is transferred from the clubhead to the ball. A centered strike is the key to maximizing smash factor and getting the most out of every swing.

The numbers don’t lie: a shot struck just 1/2 inch off-center can lose 3–7 yards of distance. Go 3/4 inch off-center, and you’re looking at 7–10 yards of loss, depending on whether you miss toward the toe or heel. Extreme mishits can cost you upwards of 20% of your potential distance​. That’s a lot of yardage to give up just because the ball wasn’t struck in the right spot!

If you’re wondering, “How can I tell where I’m hitting the ball on the clubface?” There's a simple solution: Dr. Scholl’s foot spray. Spray a light coating on the clubface before you hit a ball. When you make contact, the ball will leave a clear mark, showing you exactly where the strike occurred. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to get immediate feedback and start improving your consistency.

In my opinion, centeredness of contact deserves more attention. It’s not just about hitting it farther; it’s about getting more bang for your buck. Even a slower swing with perfect contact can outperform a fast swing with a toe or heel strike. It’s proof that quality often beats quantity.

If you’re struggling with consistency or distance, consider this your wake-up call. Instead of chasing more speed, focus on hitting the sweet spot first. Once you master that, every yard of extra speed becomes even more valuable.

Golf isn’t just a game of power—it’s a game of precision. By paying attention to centeredness of contact, you can unlock more distance, better control, and ultimately, more fun on the course. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

PODCAST

ICYMI: Transforming Visions into Reality with Craig Czerniejewski

In case you missed it, our latest episode of The Approach Podcast is a conversation you don’t want to overlook. Craig Czerniejewski, Head Golf Professional and Clubhouse Manager at Washington County Golf Course, shares his journey of transforming ideas into impactful realities. From revitalizing practice facilities to spearheading a clubhouse expansion, Craig’s approach to leadership and growth offers lessons that extend far beyond the fairway.

Whether you're navigating golf’s challenges or your own professional goals, Craig's insights on persistence, planning, and execution provide a masterclass in achieving success. Hear how he applies these principles to golf instruction, helping players translate their aspirations into tangible results. Tune in to uncover the strategies that have turned Washington County into a premier destination—and learn how you can channel that same energy to improve your game or career.

Listen now to this engaging episode on Spotify, Apple Podcast or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!