Whilst it makes sense to me that face angle probably plays a greater part than clubhead path, the friction aspect in terms of the spin rate must logically also play some part as well.

Three times yesterday (in almost ideal conditions, with no prevailing breeze to speak of) I hit my 7 iron 20m further than I previously had thought possible. Either the course distance markers were wrong, or, I didn't hit the ball "normally". Maybe I caught the ball skinny, but, I didn't get that familiar jarring feel that I would normally associate with a thinned shot.

Beats me...........

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Look at the Target, Look at the Ball, Swing... Dr Bob Rotella...