Launch monitors produce a screen full of numbers. A handful of them, such as ball speed, launch angle, spin rate and carry, explain most of what happens to your shots. Here is what each one means.
Launch monitors measure what happens at impact and in the first part of the ball's flight, then calculate where the ball will go. Once found only in fitting studios, they are now available in affordable consumer models. The amount of data can be overwhelming, but a few key numbers explain most of your ball flight.
How launch monitors measure
There are two main technologies:
- Radar-based (Doppler) systems track the ball, and sometimes the club, as it moves away. They typically sit behind the golfer and need enough ball flight to measure, which can matter in small indoor spaces.
- Camera-based (photometric) systems take high-speed images of the ball and club around impact. They usually sit beside the ball and work well indoors.
Some numbers are measured directly; others are calculated from models. Measured spin, in particular, varies in reliability between devices, so compare like with like.
Ball data
Ball speed
How fast the ball leaves the clubface. It is the single biggest factor in distance.
Launch angle
The vertical angle at which the ball takes off, relative to the ground. Too low or too high, for your ball speed and spin, costs distance.
Spin rate
How fast the ball spins backwards, in revolutions per minute (rpm). Backspin creates lift. Too little spin and the ball falls out of the sky; too much and it balloons and loses distance. Irons and wedges need far more spin than a driver to stop on greens.
Spin axis
The tilt of the spin axis, which determines how much the ball curves left or right. It is closely linked to the difference between face angle and club path.
Carry and total distance
Carry is how far the ball flies in the air; total includes roll. Carry is the more useful number for club selection, because it decides whether you clear hazards and how far into the green you land.
Club data
Club speed
How fast the clubhead is moving just before impact.
Smash factor
Ball speed divided by club speed: a measure of how efficiently energy is transferred. Centred strikes produce a higher smash factor. With a driver, values close to 1.5 indicate very efficient contact; lower-lofted clubs produce higher smash factors than wedges.
Attack angle
Whether the club is moving up or down at impact. Irons are usually struck with a downward attack angle; many players gain driver distance with a level or slightly upward strike.
Club path and face angle
Club path is the direction the club is travelling at impact; face angle is where the face points. The ball starts mostly in the direction of the face and curves away from the path. Understanding the relationship between the two is the key to fixing a slice or hook.
Using the numbers
- Build a carry chart. Hit 10 shots with each club and record the average carry, ignoring obvious mishits. This is the most valuable thing most golfers can do with a launch monitor.
- Look at consistency, not just averages. A wide spread in carry tells you more about scoring than one great number.
- Change one thing at a time and watch which number responds.
- Use data in fittings to compare shafts, heads and lofts objectively.
A printable practice log is available in our submissions library. Take your carry chart onto the course with a GPS device or rangefinder, or into a home simulator for year-round practice.
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