Beginner golfer, weekend golfer, amateur golfer or professional golfer. men women, seniors and juniors. No matter how good or how bad you are at this great game called golf it is imperative that the "basics" are known, understood, and frequently reviewed. The "simple things" are often overlooked as the more technical aspects of the golf swing become known.

Grab one of your clubs and a golf ball and let's take a look at two very important fundamentals.
Understanding where the golf ball's Center of Gravity is located (Equator) and where the clubface Center of Gravity is located (Sweet Spot) are key fundamentals to solid ball striking. 

1… The Golf Ball (equator).

The golf ball measures 1.68 inches in diameter and is made of compressed rubber with a hard outer casing. The golf ball's center of gravity is located at its very "inner center." A company name can normally be seen on the outer casing. This logo is stamped on the golf ball's "outer center," which is known as the "Equator." To ensure solid contact and impart the correct spin, strike down on the ball below the Equator.

2… The Clubface (sweet spot).

The ball is struck with the "sweet spot" (percussion point) to produce solid contact, maximum power and proper ball trajectory. To get the feel for the "sweet spot" and its location, hold a club in one hand and gently bounce a golf ball on the clubface.

You will feel and hear the unmistakable difference between the ball hitting and missing the "sweet spot."

"Off" Center Hits.  If you do not strike the golf ball with the sweet spot you will lose distances of between 7% and 14% with your woods, and 5% to 10% with your irons. If you use a driver and hit say 250 yards, it will now only travel 215 yards. That's a loss of 35 yards!

Every shot in golf is played with a "down and forward" blow, striking the golf ball below the Equator. The only exceptions to this rule being the Driver (with the ball teed-up) and the putting stroke, where the clubhead travels on a more "level-to-up" swing path, and therefore strikes the golf ball "on" or just fractionally "below" the Equator.

Putter. The putter face (sweet spot) approaches the ball squarely, and strikes "on" the equator line. The swing is more "level to up" through impact, giving correct ball roll along the intended target line.

                                                                                             

Irons. To ensure solid contact and impart the correct spin, swing down and through the ball. Remember... the hands are always slightly ahead of the golf ball through impact. Just swing "down and through" with the sweet spot striking below the equator.

Note: Different manufacturers produce a variety of different clubs, placing the "sweet spot" in slightly different locations. But the one thing that remains the same for great ball striking is that the clubface COG must strike the golf ball on or below the equator for correct ball flight (ball roll when putting). Get to know your clubs and the locations of each "sweet spot." Get to know the golf ball and the contact point "on or below the equator."