Question about Launch Monitor Results

[nickel_aTm]

So I went into Goft Galaxy with my 20 bucks to get a ball fitting, mainly to get the results of my current launch characteristics over 10 swings.

My driver is Titleist 909D3 (8.5*) with Aldila Voodoo (stiff)

Swing Speed: 99.8

Ball Speed: 133.1

Launch Angle: 17.3

Back Spin (I assume RPM): 2281

I don't hit the ball far at all.  Probably average 240 or so with an occassional "rip" to 260.  With that combination of ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate, should I be considering (1) a different loft driver, (2) a shaft with a higher kick point, (3) both, or (4) just quit the damn game and take up bowling?

[delav]

Originally Posted by nickel_aTm

So I went into Goft Galaxy with my 20 bucks to get a ball fitting, mainly to get the results of my current launch characteristics over 10 swings.

My driver is Titleist 909D3 (8.5*) with Aldila Voodoo (stiff)

Swing Speed: 99.8

Ball Speed: 133.1

Launch Angle: 17.3

Back Spin (I assume RPM): 2281

I don't hit the ball far at all.  Probably average 240 or so with an occassional "rip" to 260.  With that combination of ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate, should I be considering (1) a different loft driver, (2) a shaft with a higher kick point, (3) both, or (4) just quit the damn game and take up bowling?

If you can post a video of your swing in the instruction forum, we can take a look at what is going on.  From the snapshot your fitting provided (hope is was $20 well spent?) your launch angle is very high for that head and shaft.  If this was the average from 10 swings, there is a good change a few drills can help you here.

[Stretch]

Those numbers are all over the place. To get that high a launch with that low a loft and that low a spin rate, you'd have to be hitting up on the ball about 10 degrees. I'd love to see that swing!

Seriously, I think the trajectory (and probably spin) data is worthless. But, generally, 8.5 degrees of loft is not going to be enough for the vast majority of guys swinging at around 100 mph. See the chart below for a decent rule of thumb. The other observation that might be worth making is your smash factor is quite low at 1.33, which suggests you're not hitting it out of the middle of the club face. You would probably pick up distance immediately by shortening your shaft and catching the sweet spot more consistently.

[nickel_aTm]

Thanks for the responses guys.  If I have time, I may be able to get some video this weekend.  Understood, regarding me likely needing more loft than 8.5*.  I've got an unused TM Superfast (9.5*) head that I need to put a shaft in.  That will at least be a step in the right direction, assuming we find a shaft that "fits" my swing well.

I'm still just confused about that high of a launch angle with such a low spin number.  My ball flight is generally straight or with just a little cut.  If I were more open at impact or coming across significantly, wouldn't my spin rate be higher?

That's what got me thinking that maybe a shaft with a higher kickpoint would help get that launch angle down.

[schlebrock]

Hi nickel_aTm,

Your main issue is your ball speed relative to your swing speed. This is commonly known as your smash factor. You generally want to get it between 1.48-1.50. For swing speeds approaching 100 mph, you should optimally have ball speeds of between 148-150 mph. The fact that you only have a 133 mph ball speed with a 100 mph swing speed means your not transferring enough energy to the ball to get your maximum results.

That said, the good news is that it's usually easier to get your ball speed up vs. your swing speed. The bad news is that an equipment change isn't going to get you there. You're going to need to get lessons.

Optimal launch conditions for a 100 mph swing speed should be:

• 150 mph ball speed
• 14.0 degree launch angle
• 2444 rpm spin rate

This will translate into a 251.3 yd carry and a 288.4 yd total driving distance with no wind at sea level.

Hope this helps,

-Schlebrock-

[Zeph]

Originally Posted by nickel_aTm

I'm still just confused about that high of a launch angle with such a low spin number.  My ball flight is generally straight or with just a little cut.  If I were more open at impact or coming across significantly, wouldn't my spin rate be higher?

Makes sense to me. To launch the ball at 17º with an 8.5º driver, you have to swing up on the ball by flipping, keeping your weight back or something like that. Hitting the ball high on the clubface will also increase the launch angle. Information like angle of attack would have been useful. I agree that getting a video of your swing would help to see what's going on. With the 8.5º driver you probably have to swing around 3-5º up on the ball to get the ideal launch angle.

[schlebrock]

Forgot to say in my original post that using an 8.5 degree driver with a swing speed of 100mph is probably not the way to go. Tour players that play 8.5 degree lofts are gettting in the 170's-180's with their ball speed. So, you should be looking at a 10.0 or even a 10.5 when you get your angle of attack under control.

Good luck.

-Schlebrock-