High Spin and Low Launch: How is this Possible?

[JetFan1983]

Lift is primarily created by a ball's backspin.

How do they design these expensive balls to spin more and yet launch lower at the same time?

Am I just confused as to what they mean by low launch? As in, the ball launches low but then begins its rapid ascent?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by JetFan1983

Lift is primarily created by a ball's backspin.

How do they design these expensive balls to spin more and yet launch lower at the same time?

Am I just confused as to what they mean by low launch? As in, the ball launches low but then begins its rapid ascent?

Launch angle is measured before the ball has had the chance to be lifted. The launch angle is measured "right off the clubface."

[JetFan1983]

Thanks, Erik. I figured as much. I'm happy though to have that cleared up now.

[DoGolf Jonathan]

So are you saying that the launch angle show be as close as possible to the ground?  So this doesn't imply that the ball has that much to do with it, but rather that the driver face is the more important factor, right?  So the degree on the driver face should be 9.5 or something like that.  Is the same effect achievable with a 10.5 driver?  That's what I use primarily.

[ghalfaire]

Yes but your swing has something to do with it too.  The angle of approach at impact with the ball has to be added to the club loft.  Somewhere I believe I read that 17* is close to optimum.

Originally Posted by DoGolf Jonathan

So are you saying that the launch angle show be as close as possible to the ground?  So this doesn't imply that the ball has that much to do with it, but rather that the driver face is the more important factor, right?  So the degree on the driver face should be 9.5 or something like that.  Is the same effect achievable with a 10.5 driver?  That's what I use primarily.

[JetFan1983]

Your question is unrelated to my question, but here's your answer, building off what galfhaire was talking about:

Two terms in golf you should know about:

1) Positive loft: The loft on the clubface is increased, say, turning a 21 degree club into 24 degrees at impact (+3 degrees)

2) Negative loft: The loft on the clubface is decreased, say, turning a 46 degree club into 38 degrees at impact (-8 degrees)

Why is this important?

Good players tend to hit shorter clubs with negative loft and longer clubs with positive loft. An 8-iron might have 40 degrees of loft on it, but at impact, a tour pro might launch it at 35 degrees; vice versa, a driver might have 9 degrees of loft on it, but at impact, the tour pro might be launching it at 10 or 12 degrees.

Why use negative loft with shorter clubs? The answer is backspin. Better players know that by playing the ball a bit back in their stance, they can hit a lower shot that spins more for added control. For longer shots, however, this added loft is not ideal because more spin reduces control in longer clubs. Experienced players use positive loft with the driver and fairway woods by moving the ball forward and widening their stance. This positions the low point closer to the ball (not as far in front of it) and increases the loft potential. However, playing the ball farther forward elevates the risk swinging across it and hitting a slice. To combat this, the player must increase the hip slide on the downswing to keep the club swinging from the inside. Less-experienced players, who might struggle to move the hips forward enough should push their hips farther forward at address.

Refer to these two videos for more of an explanation:

Footnotes : Stack and Tilt

[Harmonious]

Here's that really good chart showing the angle of attack and launch angles and other good stuff for PGA and LPGA members. What you'll see is that the PGA guys have a negative angle of attack on all clubs, including driver.

http://iacas.org/asm/fimgs/trackman_pga_vs_lpga_data.jpg