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What’s A Trace?

January 6, 2025

Trace Definition

A plotted line representing the location of the CoP on the ground at each instance in time during a particular movement.

Types of Traces

Scattered Trace
Abbreviated Trace
Fish Hook Trace
Heel-Toe Trace
Lateral Trace
Linear Trace
Figure 8 Trace
Z Trace

Scattered Trace

Vertical Forces are moving in all directions during the Golfer’s Swing;
therefore, energy is moving in all directions.

Swing Balance: Poor

Power Range: Can cover the entire range

Recommended Use: Never

Suggested Drill(s): Step Drill, Gary Player Drill ( Walking through the shot )

Abbreviated Trace

Very little movement of the CoP to the Trail Foot followed by movement directly to the mid-lead Foot.

Swing Balance: Excellent

Power Rating: All Ranges

Recommended Use: Short Shots, knock down, off-speed shots- those with a high level of control Ryuji Imada

Fish Hook Trace

CoP moves to Mid/Heel of the Trail Foot, followed bythe CoP moving towards the Toe of the Lead Foot, finishing with a rapid CoP motion to the Heel/Mid Lead Foot prior to impact creating the “Fish Hook” appearance.

Swing Balance: Fair

Power Rating: Mid to High

Recommended Use: Driver Maybe

Suggested Drill(s): Curl Up the Toes Drill ( Sam Snead Drill )

Heel-Toe Trace

CoP moves diagonally from Heel-Trail Foot to toe-Lead Foot.

Swing Balance: High to Excellent

Power Rating: High

Recommended Use: Seen primarily with power hitters and handsy players. A challenging trace, as the golfer’s balance is being thrown towards Lead Toe Foot at impact it requires excessive compensation of hand action during the downswing to square the club at Impact

Suggested Drill(s):

Step on the Bug Drill ( Basically Slam the Lead Foot, targeting the Ball to Heel of the Lead Foot down at Impact )

Nicklaus Drill ( Modified Step Drill, but merely lift the lead heel off the ground and slam it down towards impact mid foot to heel)

Lateral Trace

CoP moves all the way to the mid-Trail Foot and then directly to the mid-Lead Foot in a lateral straight line

Swing Balance: Excellent

Power Rating: Excellent

Recommended Use: All Clubs

Suggested Drill(s):

Curl Up the Toes Drill ( Sam Snead Drill )

Nicklaus Drill ( Modified Step Drill, but merely lift the lead heel off the ground and slam it down towards impact mid foot to heel )

Linear Trace

CoP moves all the way to the mid-Trail Foot and then directly to the mid-Lead Foot in a lateral straight line

Swing Balance: Excellent

Power Rating: Excellent

Recommended Use: All Clubs

Figure 8 Trace

CoP moves all the way to the mid-Trail Foot and then directly to the mid-Lead Foot in a lateral straight line backs up slightly prior to impact but moving forward at impact

Swing Balance: Hard

Power Rating: Excellent

Recommended Use: Tricky

Z Trace

CoP Essentially a Heel Toe Trace with Pressure very fast to the Lead Toe and Moving Very Fast Back prior to Impact

Swing Balance: Difficult

Power Rating: Extreme

Recommended Use: Driver Only

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