After the ball leaves the club face ....

[jfrain2004]

I got my swing monitored on Launch monitor recently but am some what bemused by my results. What do I have to do to get more distance.
I was told my club head speed was 105mph and the balls initial velocity was 147 mph on average.
Working in a Physics related job this is how I see it. Ignoring local atmospheric conditions and using the same ball each time the 3 components that determine how far a ball goes are

1. Initial velocity.
2. Spin rate.
3. Launch angle

From once the ball leaves the face of the club it's total carry distance can be fairly accurately estimated and the club can have no more influence on the ball.
I read that players on the LPGA have swing speeds in or around 105 and I'm up in that range. Now as Pros they get better ball contact so prob have a higher initial velocity but not that much higher.
My launch angle is 13.5 Deg which is pretty good ( I think ) and prob not that much different to the pros so that only leaves the back spin which the guy in the shop said the machine could not measure reliably.
So why do I lag up to 50 yrds behind on my average distance? I hit round the 230 carry?

[denver_nuggs_15]

I got my swing monitored on Launch monitor recently but am some what bemused by my results. What do I have to do to get more distance.

You should be hitting 5* up on the ball. Even if you get a 13.5* lauch angle, you may only be hitting up about 1 or 2*. Your spin rate would be nuts if you hit down on the ball too.

When you hit your drives, your shaft angle should be at 45*. If it's not, you'll lose distance. The distance also depends on what type of shot you play. Draws roll more than fades.

[DavidFehertysBike]

My guess would be early release or improper lag. You might be swinging at 105, but you might be doing it inefficiently or in the wrong sequence.

[mkrolewski]

Assuming you are using the Accusport Launch monitor, it measures the performance of the ball and computes the performance of your club. So, club speed is being computed and may vary from the value that you think you have.

The Launch monitor does not directly measure good or poor strikes. It measuse the effects of your swing on the ball.


Measured Parameters
Ball Speed:within 0.5 MPH
Launch Angle:within 0.2 degrees
Back Spin:within 150 RPM
Side Spin:within 150 RPM
Side Angle:within 2 degrees


Ball Flight Calculations

• Down Range
• Off Line
• Flight Time
• Max Height
• Total Distance

The flight of the ball is determined by applying the initial velocity, spin(s) and launch angle(s) into some equation which determines the flight of the ball as affected by gravity and wind resistence and loft generated by the ball. Presumably, a golf ball struck by any object that generates the same numbers would fly the same way and distance. And it does not measure how efficiently you are transferring energy to the ball. A more correct swing/impact could generate much better initial numbers.




Obviously, there are three components to the velocity: forward, up and sideways. The initial assumption is there is no sideways component. Thus you have the perfect swing, travelling down the center. In one of the golf magazines, they used a robot to swing slightly off that center line. Even with square contact, the more out to in your swing was (casting?), the more distance you lost. I believe the numbers were 20% loss of distance for 9* off center (200yd vs 250yds) club path. Even 3* was significant. The launch monitor above could state you have no sideways component, even when you do.


The next issue is side spin. Obviously, any slice or hook will reduce the carry. I have no idea on how to equate side spin to lost distance. Again, I do not know if 150 rpm error in measurement is significant.


Next, the back spin is what gives the ball loft. There is an ideal spin speed or more likely a range. If you had zero spin, the ball would lack loft and not travel well. Probably, too much spin and the ball has additional loft and flys too high, and not enough down the course. Both of which detract from your distance. Again, I do not know what that range is. In the back of my head, I seem to recall 2500-3000, but I could be way off.


Finally, this is a simulated environment. Personally, my club speed drops on the course especially if I am not feeling confident Similar statements might apply to actual contact, thus changing your initial ball parameters. Thus, on the course, you may not be generating the same inputs that you do on the range.



Oh the thills of golf.

[glebert]

I would suggest you download the Trajectoware software and play around with clubhead speed, LA, spin, etc.

BTW, the average driving distance for the top 10 LPGA players is between 260-270. I don't think you are actually 50 yards behind them, even if you get 0 roll.

[Jay-Bird]

You should be hitting 5* up on the ball. Even if you get a 13.5* lauch angle, you may only be hitting up about 1 or 2*. Your spin rate would be nuts if you hit down on the ball too.

EXACTLY . Tee it up in front more, catch it on the slight upswing. Play a draw if you want more roll yards.

[pshizz]

Also, if your spin rate is too high, than this will cause the ball to balloon up into the air, thus losing yards.