Face-to-Path
Face-to-path is the difference between face angle and club path at impact. It is the single number that determines how much, and which way, the ball curves.
If the face points right of the path, the ball curves right (a fade or slice); left of the path, it curves left (a draw or hook). A face-to-path within about ±2° produces a near-straight shot. Because start direction comes mostly from the face and curve comes from face-to-path, tour players manage these two numbers independently to shape shots on demand. It is the most precise way to describe a ball flight.
Example — On a launch monitor
A face 1° open with a +3° path is −2° face-to-path — the face is closed to the path, producing a gentle draw.
Why it matters
Face-to-path turns "it curves too much" into a precise, trainable target. SwingVantage speaks this language so the fix is specific, not vague.
Frequently asked questions
Does club path or face angle matter more for a slice?
Both, but in different ways: face angle sets where the ball starts, and face-to-path sets how it curves. A slice needs the face closed relative to the path — so reducing how open the face is to the path is the direct fix.
Related terms
- Face AngleFace angle is where the clubface points at impact, relative to the target line, in degrees. It determines roughly 75–85% of the ball’s starting direction.
- Club PathClub path is the horizontal direction the clubhead is moving through impact, relative to the target line, in degrees. Positive is in-to-out (a draw bias); negative is out-to-in (a fade or slice bias).
- DrawA draw is a controlled shot that curves gently from right to left for a right-handed golfer (the opposite for a lefty). It is produced by a clubface slightly closed to the swing path but still open to the target line.
- FadeA fade is a controlled shot that curves gently from left to right for a right-handed golfer. It is the playable version of a slice, produced by a face slightly open to the swing path.
Related guides & benchmarks
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