Metrics
Ball Data
These are metrics related to the ball's flight and performance.
Ball Speed
The speed of the golf ball immediately after impact.
Collected using high-speed cameras or radar technology that track the ball from impact through its initial flight.
- Male160-180 mphFemale140-155 mph
- Male120-130 mphFemale95-105 mph
Faster clubhead speed and solid contact increase ball speed.
Higher ball speed generally leads to longer carry and total distance.
Higher ball speed typically increases spin rate, especially if the impact is centred.
With higher ball speed, a higher launch angle can result in greater carry distance.
Increased ball speed often leads to a higher apex, contributing to a longer flight.
To maximize ball speed, use a driver or low-lofted club for distance. Adjust swing speed and focus on clean contact.
Focus on increasing clubhead speed through better mechanics and timing while ensuring solid, centred impact.
Smash Factor
Ratio of ball speed to clubhead speed, indicating the efficiency of energy transfer.
Calculated as Ball Speed divided by Clubhead Speed.
- Male1.50Female1.50
Maximized by hitting the ball on the club's sweet spot.
A higher smash factor indicates better energy transfer, leading to more distance without necessarily increasing swing speed.
Higher smash factors contribute to more predictable shot distances.
Focus on striking the ball in the centre of the clubface to maximize smash factor.
Ensure a consistent swing path and tempo to improve impact location.
Carry Distance
The distance the ball travels through the air before hitting the ground.
Calculated based on the ball's launch conditions (speed, angle, and spin) and tracked using radar or cameras until it lands.
- Male260-300 yardsFemale210-240 yards
- Male160-180 yardsFemale140-160 yards
Affected by launch angle, ball speed, spin rate, and impact location.
Long carry distance helps in clearing hazards and reaching the green in fewer strokes.
The balance between carry and roll is crucial, especially in varying weather and course conditions.
Choose clubs that optimize carry for the specific hole or shot requirement.
Adjust your swing to produce the desired launch angle and spin rate for optimal carry.
Roll Distance
The distance the ball rolls on the ground after landing.
Measured by tracking the ball from landing until it stops.
Varies by ground conditions and descent angle; typically 20-30 yards for drivers and less for shorter clubs.
Influenced by spin rate, launch angle, and ground conditions.
Higher roll distance increases total distance, especially on firm fairways.
Lower spin rates typically result in greater roll after landing.
Lower launch angles generally produce more roll.
Focus on reducing backspin to maximize roll, especially off the tee.
Total Distance
The total distance the ball travels, including carry and roll.
Measured by tracking the ball from launch until it stops rolling.
- Male275-325 yardsFemale225-285 yards
- Male165-185 yardsFemale145-165 yards
Influenced by carry distance, spin rate, launch angle, and ground conditions.
Longer total distances can shorten approach shots, giving you better opportunities to score.
High total distance with low accuracy can lead to more hazards or off-target shots.
Consider the full shot length, including roll, and plan for the landing area to maximize effectiveness.
Lower spin can increase total distance, particularly with drivers.
Spin Rate
The rate of spin on the ball immediately after impact, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).
Measured using high-speed cameras or radar that track the ball's rotation as it leaves the clubface.
- Male2,000-2,500 rpmFemale2,400-2,800 rpm
- Male6,500-7,500 rpmFemale7,000-8,000 rpm
Affected by clubface angle, impact location, and swing path.
Higher spin rates help stop the ball quickly on the green, while lower spin rates increase roll.
Excessive spin can cause the ball to balloon, losing distance, while too little spin may reduce carry.
Altering your swing path (more inside-out or outside-in) can change the spin rate.
Hitting higher or lower on the clubface affects spin rate.
Spin Axis
The tilt of the ball's spin axis, determining the direction of the ball's curve in flight.
Measured by tracking the ball's rotational behaviour immediately after impact using high-speed cameras or radar.
A neutral spin axis (0°) is ideal for straight shots. A negative tilt produces a draw, and a positive tilt produces a fade.
Adjusted by changing swing path, face angle, and impact location.
The tilt of the spin axis determines whether the ball curves left (draw/hook) or right (fade/slice).
Managing the spin axis is key to controlling shot shape and avoiding sidespin-related issues.
Adjusting grip strength or the face angle at impact can help manage spin axis.
Altering your swing path relative to the target line influences spin axis.
Horizontal Launch Angle
The direction in which the ball initially travels relative to the target line, measured in degrees.
Measured by tracking the ball's initial direction after impact.
0° for a straight shot
Adjusted by changing swing path, face angle, and ball position.
A more accurate horizontal launch angle reduces the need for corrections mid-flight, leading to straighter shots.
Determines the initial direction, setting up for either a draw or fade depending on the spin axis.
Ensure proper body and clubface alignment at address to control the horizontal launch angle.
A consistent swing path helps produce a predictable horizontal launch angle.
Vertical Descent Angle
The angle at which the ball descends towards the ground, affecting how quickly it stops after landing.
Measured by tracking the ball's descent during flight.
Influenced by spin rate, apex height, and launch angle.
A steeper vertical descent angle helps the ball stop more quickly upon landing, crucial for approach shots.
A steeper descent angle reduces roll, offering better control on firm greens.
Adjust these to control the descent angle for better stopping power.
Focus on achieving the desired descent angle to match the green and pin position.
Apex Height
The maximum height the ball reaches during its flight.
Measured by tracking the ball's vertical position during its trajectory.
Affected by launch angle, spin rate, and ball speed.
Higher apex heights can contribute to longer carry distances but may also lead to higher wind sensitivity.
A higher apex often equates to a steeper descent angle, aiding in stopping power.
Adjust your launch angle to influence apex height.
Managing spin rate can control how high the ball climbs in its flight.
Lateral Landing
The side-to-side distance between the ball's landing point and the intended target line.
0 yards for a perfect shot
Affected by swing path, face angle, and spin axis.
Minimizing lateral landing distance from the target line is key to hitting more greens and fairways.
Reducing variability in lateral landing distance improves overall shot accuracy.
Work on synchronizing swing path and face angle to reduce lateral errors.
Aim to control shot shape to minimize unintended curvature.
Curve
The difference between a shot’s initial horizontal launch angle and the shot’s final position.
Measured by high-speed cameras or radar tracking systems, often calculated from spin axis and side spin.
Varies by shot type; minimal for straight shots, moderate for intentional draws or fades
Adjust face angle, swing path, and grip strength.
Excessive curve can lead to offline shots, potentially missing fairways or greens.
Curve is integral to controlling shot shape, allowing golfers to navigate obstacles or shape shots to fit the course.
A more tilted spin axis increases curve, affecting where the ball lands relative to the target line.
Work on aligning face angle and swing path to control the curve.
Adjusting grip strength can help manage the clubface at impact, influencing the curve.
Shot Dispersion
The spread of shots around the target area, measuring consistency and accuracy.
Analysed by tracking multiple shots and calculating the area or radius around the target.
Smaller dispersion indicates better consistency and accuracy
Improved by refining swing mechanics, alignment, and consistency in impact location.
Tighter shot dispersion means more consistent performance, leading to better scoring.
Improved shot dispersion helps in consistently hitting the desired target area.
Focus on repetition and consistency in practice to reduce dispersion.
Ensure clubs are fitted to your swing to help maintain tighter dispersion.
Club Data
These are metrics related to the player's swing and performance.
Club Speed
The speed of the clubhead at the moment of impact with the ball.
Measured using radar or optical sensors that track the club's movement through the swing.
- Male110-125 mphFemale90-105 mph
- Male85-95 mphFemale75-85 mph
Increased by improving swing mechanics, fitness, and timing.
Higher clubhead speed generally increases distance through higher ball speed.
Increased clubhead speed can raise spin rates, especially with more lofted clubs.
While clubhead speed itself doesn't directly affect launch angle, higher speeds can exaggerate the effects of swing path and face angle.
Work on physical conditioning to increase speed. Improve swing efficiency by focusing on body rotation and proper sequencing.
Lighter shafts and optimized club weighting can help increase clubhead speed.
Launch Angle
The angle at which the ball leaves the clubface relative to the ground.
Determined by tracking the initial trajectory of the ball using high-speed cameras or radar.
- Male12°-15°Female14°-16°
- Male16°-18°Female17°-19°
Adjusted by changing ball position in stance, tee height, and swing path.
A higher launch angle creates a higher trajectory, which can be beneficial or detrimental depending on wind and course conditions.
The ideal launch angle optimizes both spin and distance for any given club.
Moving the ball forward or backward in your stance can alter launch angle.
For drivers, adjusting the tee height influences the launch angle.
Angle of Attack
The angle at which the clubhead is moving up or down at impact relative to the ground.
Measured by tracking the club's path through impact with radar or optical sensors.
- Male+3° to +5°Female+2° to +4°
- Male-3° to -5°Female-2° to -4°
Altered by changing ball position, swing plane, and body positioning.
A steeper (negative) attack angle with irons helps compress the ball for better spin and control. A positive angle with a driver promotes higher launch and lower spin for more distance.
Positive attack angles with drivers typically result in more distance.
Adjusting your stance and ball position can modify the attack angle.
A more upward or downward swing path at impact changes the attack angle.
Dynamic Loft
The loft of the clubface at impact, including the effect of shaft lean and angle of attack.
Measured by tracking the clubface orientation and angle of attack at impact.
- Male16°-20°Female17°-22°
- Male21°-25°Female22°-26°
Adjusted by changing the angle of attack, ball position, and shaft lean.
Higher dynamic loft results in a higher trajectory, useful for stopping the ball quickly on the green.
Higher dynamic loft typically increases spin, which can aid in control but reduce distance.
Adjusting the forward or backward lean of the shaft at impact alters dynamic loft.
Modifying your attack angle influences dynamic loft and, subsequently, ball flight.
Spin Loft
The difference between dynamic loft and attack angle, indicating the angle of the ball's spin relative to the clubface.
Calculated by subtracting the attack angle from the dynamic loft.
Affected by changing attack angle, shaft lean, and clubface angle.
Higher spin loft results in higher spin rates, which can aid in control but may reduce distance.
The combination of spin loft and launch angle determines the ball's flight characteristics.
Adjust these factors to fine-tune spin loft for the desired ball flight.
Consistently striking the ball at the same point on the clubface helps manage spin loft.
Club Path
The direction of the clubhead's movement relative to the target line at impact, measured in degrees.
Measured by tracking the clubhead's movement as it approaches impact.
0° for a neutral path (straight shot)
Adjusted by changing stance, grip, and swing mechanics.
An in-to-out club path tends to produce draws/hooks, while an out-to-in path produces fades/slices.
Club path in relation to face angle largely determines the spin axis, affecting shot shape.
Working on a consistent swing plane can help control club path.
Adjust your stance to guide the desired club path direction.
Face to Path
The angle difference between the clubface angle and the club path direction at impact.
Calculated by comparing clubface angle and club path measurements.
0° for straight shots, slightly closed (negative) for draw, slightly open (positive) for fade
Controlled by adjusting grip, wrist action, and swing path.
The difference between face angle and club path determines if the shot is a draw, fade, slice, or hook.
Managing face-to-path consistency improves accuracy and shot predictability.
Fine-tune your grip and focus on keeping the clubface square to the path.
A consistent swing path helps manage the face-to-path relationship.
Face to Target
The angle of the clubface relative to the target line at impact.
Measured by tracking the clubface's orientation at the moment of impact.
Square to target (0°) for straight shots, slightly open/closed for intentional shot shapes
Changed by adjusting grip, stance, and wrist position at impact.
The face angle at impact is the primary factor determining the starting direction of the ball.
When combined with club path, face angle affects the ball's spin axis, influencing curvature.
Adjusting grip strength and wrist movement at impact can control face angle.
Ensure proper alignment at address to help maintain a square face at impact.
Low Point
The lowest point of the swing arc relative to the ground, typically occurring just before or at ball impact.
Measured by radar or camera systems that track the clubhead through the swing.
Slightly ahead of the ball for irons and wedges, at or slightly behind for drivers
Adjust swing arc, body position, and weight transfer.
Achieving the correct low point ensures solid contact, especially with irons and wedges.
Proper low point control maximizes distance and spin by ensuring clean contact.
Focus on maintaining a consistent swing arc and low point by ensuring proper weight transfer and balance.
Ensure that your body stays ahead of the ball through impact.
Other
These metrics are metrics that don't fit into any other category.
Shot Type
Categorization of the shot shape, such as draw, fade, slice, or hook, based on ball flight characteristics.
Determined by analysing the ball's flight path, spin axis, and launch angle.
Ideal shot type varies by golfer's intention, e.g., a slight draw or fade may be preferred
Altered by swing path, face angle, and grip.
Different shot types (e.g., draw, fade) are useful for navigating specific course layouts or avoiding hazards.
Being able to intentionally produce various shot types increases overall shot control.
Work on adjusting these elements to produce the desired shot shape.
Regularly practice different shot types to improve versatility and confidence on the course.
Altitude
The height above sea level at which the golf shot is played, typically measured in feet or meters.
Measured using GPS or local altitude data, often input manually into launch monitors for accurate calculations.
Not specific; lower altitudes (sea level) reduce carry distance, higher altitudes (e.g., 5,000 ft.) increase it
Not directly influenced by swing technique but affects club and shot selection; higher altitudes require adjustments in club selection and strategy due to longer carry distances.
Ball speed tends to remain similar at different altitudes, but reduced air density at higher altitudes slightly reduces drag on the ball.
Higher altitudes result in longer carry distances (5-10% farther at 5,000 feet) due to less air resistance.
Spin rates might slightly decrease at higher altitudes due to reduced friction between the ball and the air.
The ball may reach a higher apex at higher altitudes because of less drag.
Total distance increases at higher altitudes due to reduced drag and lower spin rates.
Altitude does not significantly affect launch angle directly, but the ball's overall flight may be higher due to reduced air resistance.
At higher altitudes, golfers might choose a club with less loft to control distance or opt for more controlled swing speeds.
Adjusting the intended landing area, anticipating more roll after landing, and being cautious with approach shots to avoid overshooting greens.