BY RYAN WILLIAMS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

Think back to school days when we first learned the difference between qualitative and quantitative judgments. In golf, that distinction is just as important—yet often overlooked.

Qualitative judgments are emotional. “That was a good shot.” “That putt was terrible.” We all make them, but the truth is: the golf ball doesn’t know what good or bad means. It only responds to how the club was delivered at impact. We golfers are the ones who attach meaning—sometimes unfairly—to the outcome.

Quantitative judgments, by contrast, are objective. They describe what happened without assigning value:

• The clubface was pointed here.

• Contact was made on this part of the clubface.

• The ball started in this direction and curved to that direction.

For coaches, this type of description is far more useful. When a student can explain their ball flight accurately, a coach can more quickly identify root causes and get the player back to their best.

The Six Ball Flight Laws

A prime example of quantitative judgment is understanding the Ball Flight Laws. There are only six, but knowing them provides powerful insight into why your ball behaves the way it does.

1. Clubface Angle – The direction the face points at impact, relative to the target line. This is by far the greatest influence on the ball’s starting direction and the first key to controlling direction.

2. Club Path – The direction the clubhead is moving relative to the target line. Path heavily influences shot curvature. If the path and the face are going the same direction, the ball will not curve. The greater the difference between the path and face, however, more curvature will occur.

3. Clubhead Speed – The speed of the clubhead at impact, a key factor in potential distance. Every 1 mph of speed can add up to 3 yards with the driver. More speed also allows players to launch the ball higher and produce more spin which greatly affects a player’s ability to stop.

4. Attack Angle – Whether the club is moving up or down at impact. Ground shots generally require a downward strike; maximizing driver distance often requires an upward strike.

5. Centeredness of Contact – Where the ball meets the clubface. Striking the sweet spot maximizes distance and control, while off-center hits cause power loss or sidespin.

6. Dynamic Loft – The effective loft presented at impact. Too much loft sends the ball too high with less distance; too little produces a low, rolling shot.

Once you begin evaluating shots through these laws, you’ll find your practice more purposeful and your adjustments more effective.

Why It Works in Lessons—But Not Alone

Many golfers tell their coach, “I hit it great in front of you, but on my own it falls apart.” Why? Two reasons:

1. Mindset matters. In a lesson, you’re in learning mode—less emotional, less judgmental, and more open to mistakes. That mindset, not the setting, makes improvement possible. Treat every practice session like a lesson, and you’ll maintain that clarity.

2. Process matters. Coaches focus on both the what and the how/why. For example, you may be working on a grip change or swing path. During the lesson, you execute it well, but later you forget the steps that made it successful. To avoid this, practice in “levels”: begin with slow, simple reps of the concept, then gradually add speed and power. Skipping these foundational levels is the fastest way to “lose it.”

Shifting from emotional (qualitative) to objective (quantitative) judgments takes practice, but the payoff is a deeper understanding of your game and faster progress on the course. Next time you play or practice, ask yourself not “Was that shot good or bad?” but rather “What did the ball do, and why?”

Priority number one in every lesson is helping students truly understand their shot pattern—what it is, what causes it in their swing, and how we’ll improve it together.

If you’ve ever wondered why your ball does what it does—and how to make it behave more consistently—it may be time for a personalized session. Book a lesson today, and let’s put you on the path to more confident, reliable golf.