Why Good Swings Still Miss Greens: The Truth About Face Control

Golfers love to chase the “perfect swing.” Smooth takeaway, good tempo, balanced finish - and yet the ball still sails right of the green, dives left into trouble, or starts on line but curves away at the last second.

If you’ve ever thought, “But that felt great….why did it miss?” you’re not alone. And the answer is almost never what golfers think.

The truth is simpler:

A good swing does NOT guarantee a good shot.
Face Control Does.

This is the part of golf instruction that most players never hear clearly explained - and once you understand it, your entire approach to ball striking changes.

Impact Reality #1: The Clubface Rules Everything

At the moment of impact, the clubface determines where the ball starts and how much it curves. Not the backswing. Not your tempo. Not your shoulder turn.

Just the face.

• If the face is open at impact - the ball starts right

• If the face is closed at impact - the ball starts left

• If the face is square - ball starts on your intended line

This is why you can make a swing that feels perfect and still miss the green. Your mechanics may be solid, but if the face isn’t controlled, the ball won’t listen.

Impact Reality #2: Path Only Matters After the Face

Golfers often obsess over swing path - inside-out, outside-in, neutral. But path only influences curvature, and only relative to the face.

This the key teaching hook:

Face First. Path second. Always.

Here’s the simple version:

• Face tells the ball where to start.

• Path tells the ball how to curve.

• The difference between the two creates your shot shape.

If the face is unpredictable, the path can’t save you.
If the face is consistent, the path becomes easy to manage.

Why This Matters for the Average Golfer

Most golfers try to fix misses by fixing their swing. But the swing is not the problem - the impact is.

A few examples:

“I keep pulling shots left.”

Your face is closed at impact, even if your swing feels great.

“My Ball starts straight but curves right.”

Your face is square, but your path is left of the face.

“I hit is solid but it never goes where I’m aiming.”

Your face is not returning to the same position consistently.

These are impact issues, not swing issues.

A Simple Way to Train Face Control (Without Getting Technical)

You don’t need a TrackMan, a lesson tee, or a physics degree. You just need awareness.

1. Hit 10 balls focusing ONLY on where they start.

Ignore curve. Ignore distance. Ignore contact.

Ask yourself:

• Did it start left?

• Did it start right?

• Did it start on line?

This tells you everything about your face.

2. Adjust your grip pressure, not your swing.

Most face issues come from tension - especially in your trail hand.

Loosen by 20%.
Let the club release naturally.
Watch the start line improve.

3. Use the “Gate Drill” for instant feedback.

Place two tees a few inches in front of the ball, forming a small gate.

Your job:
Start the ball through the gate.

This trains face control better than any mechanical thought.

Why Good Players Miss Greens - and How You Can Stop

Even skilled golfers miss greens because:

• They aim for the pin instead of the middle

• Their face control varies by a few degrees

• They don’t match face and path

• They rely on “feel” instead of feedback

But once you understand that impact beats mechanics, your misses shrink, your dispersion tightens, and your confidence skyrockets.

You stop trying to “fix your swing” and start controlling the only thing that truly matters:

The clubface at impact.

The Takeaway

If you remember one thing from this article, make it this:

A beautiful swing is optional.

A controlled clubface is not.

Master the face first.
Match the path second.
And watch your greens-hit percentage climb.