Trackman: Optimal numbers for driver fitting.

[saevel25]

Here's an interesting thought however - if you look at the ubiquitous Trackman optimal numbers, then not one of them has an optimal smash factor of 1.50. Which begs the question, are they really as optimal as they could be? Anyone who knows anything about fitting knows that hitting the middle of the club face yields the best ball speed. And ball speed is everything.

Actually hitting the clubface slightly higher than center and slighting towards the toe yields the best ball speed. I am talking about maybe at most a quarter of an inch up and over. so center of the clubface isn't the best location to strike the golf ball.

Also, if you miss hit the ball then you are going to get lower ball speed, but higher spin rates. So even if optimal is the perfect strike, getting the right launch angle and matching spin values. Getting close to that is best, because mishitting the ball takes you away from those values. So it still stands that you want to strive for optimal numbers. Mishitting is not part of the equation when talking theoretical.

Ball speed isn't anything. If you have 170 mph ball speed, but launch it at 9 degrees with 3300 rpm, you will only get 285 yards carry.

Lets say you are able to get that launch higher, lets say 13 degrees with 800 less spin, so 2500 rpm, you will get 295 yards of carry. You will also get more roll because the ball will descend at a shallower angle. So the ground will not take out as much energy from when the ball strikes the ground.

So ball speed isn't everything, though it is important.

[LuciusWooding]

Here's an interesting thought however - if you look at the ubiquitous Trackman optimal numbers, then not one of them has an optimal smash factor of 1.50. Which begs the question, are they really as optimal as they could be? Anyone who knows anything about fitting knows that hitting the middle of the club face yields the best ball speed. And ball speed is everything.

Getting to 1.50 is tough to reach on Trackman with a conforming club, since other monitors tend to measure things differently. Many don't measure both clubhead and ball speed and just use an estimate, or they measure things differently such as tracking different spots on the club. Finally, the CG or true sweet spot of the club or even the toe may produce the highest ball speed but the best launch conditions are usually a bit higher on the face where the spin numbers will be lowest.

Ball speed isn't everything unless you can get freakishly good launch conditions every time, Even the guys on tour with the best smash factor and driving efficiency numbers are under 1.49 most of the time. And they still get outdriven by the guys who have higher swing speeds.

[dennyjones]

When I went to get fitted for a new driver, I was shown my data with a 1.47 smash factor.    My swing speed was only 88 mph.    That was an average of  7 shots.   Two of the shots had a smash factor of 1.49.   I don't put a whole lot of stock in these numbers because the average total distance was 231 yards.   This was using Trackman at Carl's Golfland in Michigan.

[colin007]

When I went to get fitted for a new driver, I was shown my data with a 1.47 smash factor.    My swing speed was only 88 mph.    That was an average of  7 shots.   Two of the shots had a smash factor of 1.49.   I don't put a whole lot of stock in these numbers because the average total distance was 231 yards.   This was using Trackman at Carl's Golfland in Michigan.

If that's true then that's remarkable, especially for someone of your handicap. Your slower swing speed may have something to do with how solidly you hit the ball.

[dennyjones]

Ball speed: 128.9

Launch angle 15.1

spin rate 2315

Smash factor 1.47

Carry: 201.2

Total: 231.4

Landing angle: 30.9

Launch dir: -6.6

Spin axis: -2.8

Attack angle: -0.1

Club path: -5.8

Face angle: -6.7

Fact to path: -0.9

Club speed: 88.0

Height: 66.0

Side: 73.8L

Dyn Loft: 16.9

Spin Loft: 17.1

These were my number December 16, 2012.    This is why it was suggested I take lessons instead of buying new clubs.

[colin007]

Ball speed: 128.9

Launch angle 15.1

spin rate 2315

Smash factor 1.47

Carry: 201.2

Total: 231.4

Landing angle: 30.9

Launch dir: -6.6

Spin axis: -2.8

Attack angle: -0.1

Club path: -5.8

Face angle: -6.7

Fact to path: -0.9

Club speed: 88.0

Height: 66.0

Side: 73.8L

Dyn Loft: 16.9

Spin Loft: 17.1

These were my number December 16, 2012.    This is why it was suggested I take lessons instead of buying new clubs.

pull cut?  fix your path, the rest will follow.  get your weight forward, get your AoA a little higher, youll see more distance.

[saevel25]

pull cut?  fix your path, the rest will follow.  get your weight forward, get your AoA a little higher, youll see more distance.

Pull draw, his face angle is more closed than his swing path. Somebody needs to review the flight laws again

[colin007]

Pull draw, his face angle is more closed than his swing path. Somebody needs to review the flight laws again :-D

:8) :8) :8)