What does the term "angle of attack" refer to in golf?

The term "angle of attack" is specific to how the clubhead approaches the golf ball during the swing. It refers to the vertical angle at which the clubhead comes into contact with the ball. A positive angle of attack indicates that the clubhead is moving upward as it strikes the ball, which is common with certain shots like drivers. A negative angle of attack means the clubhead is descending when it hits the ball, typical of iron shots. Understanding this concept is crucial for golfers to optimize their impact with the ball, influencing factors such as spin and trajectory.

The other choices do not accurately capture this definition. The direction of the clubhead's swing pertains to the path the club takes, rather than the angle relative to the ground or ball. Similarly, the angle between the stance and the target line focuses on alignment rather than the clubhead’s interaction with the ball. Lastly, the angle at which the clubhead contacts the ground can describe different aspects of the swing but does not specify the approach to the ball, which is the core of the angle of attack concept.