I started a thread over at Brian Manzella’s site talking about the future of the D Plane. As a model, I think it needs a little refining to handle the off center hits. I’m not exactly sure what that refining will turn into but I have a theory.
I was talking with David Colclough about this topic and he really got me thinking. I’ve asked some very smart people about my theory and will discuss the results after I hear back.
Ok, so here’s my theory. The D Plane suggests that the spin axis on the ball will be perpendicular to the plane formed by the 3d club path and clubface normal. It also suggests that the lift forces will be perpendicular to the spin axis. This model works wonderfully for center hits. However, for off center hits, the spin axis and lift forces are not in the D plane because of the gear effect caused by the off center hit.
My theory, which allows for center hits and off center hits to be accurately described is to use the 3d direction of the spin axis as the top vector and not the clubface normal. This would allow for a properly shaped D Plane for any outcome. I don’t know if I’m right and I’m pretty sure someone much smarter than me will come up with the right model.
I can say this. The email I received from Fredrick Tuxen shows agreement that the D Plane model is not sufficient to explain off center hits
Let the tweaking begin.
Related posts:
VERY GOOD,John keep up the good work! Please let me know what you find out.
Will do John.
Thanks for reading.
JG