Driver Data Analysis
by Pete Smith, General Manager, Miles of Golf -Cincinnati
| Club Speed (mph) | Ball Speed (mph) | Launch Angle (deg) | Spin Rate (rpm) | Smash Factor | Attack Angle (deg) | Spin Axis (deg) | Height (ft) | Landing Angle (deg) | Carry (yds) | Total yds | |
| PGA Tour Avg | 113.0 | 167.0 | 10.9 | 2686 | 1.48 | -1.3 | 6.0 | 96.0 | 38.0 | 275.0 | 294.0 |
| LPGA Tour Avg | 94.0 | 140.0 | 13.2 | 2611 | 1.48 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 75.0 | 36.0 | 218.0 | 246.0 |
| MET.AM. Avg | 107.5 | 157.3 | 9.9 | 3089 | 1.46 | -1.0 | -0.6 | 85.9 | 34.9 | 252.8 | 278.5 |
What follows is an analysis of this data plus the individual data on each player.
As you all are aware, Miles of Golf was present on the 6th tee of Western Hill CC gathering ball flight data with TrackMan , as well as conducting a driver and a ball count. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in this research. We do this so players can better understand how their driver performance compares with the rest of the field and for Miles of Golf to understand how the equipment is performing for the best players in Cincinnati.
As part of our sponsorship with the GCGA, we are also providing each player a free no obligation MAXX Club Fitting. Our MAXX fitting is our tour level fitting experience using the TrackMan ball flight monitor, and is conducted in our state of the art fitting center, The Cluboratory (pictured above).
For more information on Miles of Golf club fitting please click the following link: http://www.milesofgolf.com/club-fitting/club-fitting-cincinnati/
To book a fitting or answer any questions, you may call 513-870-9057 or you may email me at psmith@milesofgolf.com
Additionally, we gave out free Range Cards which we will activate with a $20 credit when you come to the shop and tell us you got it at the MET. Our range has the best grass tees and balls in Cincinnati and is open all year. If you did not receive a range card at the tournament, just tell us you played in the MET and we will take care of it.
Conclusion from Driving Data:
- Club head speed and estimated total distance were not much different between the tournament field and the PGA Tour. In fact, 29% of the field had a better total driving distance than the PGA Tour average. This probably means that raw distance is probably not a very good factor in determining the difference between a good amateur golfer and a touring professional.
- Attack angle is very important for distance. While the average for the field is very similar to the PGA Tour average, if you look at the individual shots you will notice that the most efficient drives (club head speed equating to total distance) came from golfers with a positive attack angle. For example, two golfers selected from the field with the same club head speed of 110 and ball speeds of 165, one with a positive attack of 2.5* the other with a negative attack of -3.1*, had wildly different distance results. The golfer with the positive attack carried the ball 290yds for a total of 315yds, while the golfer with the negative attack carried the ball only 268yds for a total of 285yds.
(See the “optimal numbers” chart below for a better understanding of how attack angle can affect launch, spin, and distance)
- For the MET field, launch angle is low and spin rate is high. Ideally, we would have liked to see the average launch between 11-15* and the average spin rate between 2300-2800 rpms. As stated before, part of the reason for this is the average attack angle. However, golf companies continue to make drivers that create different launch conditions, allowing you the golfer to make the same swing and see a higher launching, lower spinning drive.
- The average shot for the field was a slight miss hit, as the smash factor is only 1.46. If the tournament field averaged the quality of contact as either the PGA or LPGA Tour’s, the average ball speed would have been.
Individual Player Data Listed Below
Definitions:
Club Speed: Club head speed at impact
Ball Speed: Speed of the golf ball immediately after impact
Launch Angle: Initial angle of golf ball accent, after impact
Spin rate: Amount of golf ball back spin immediately after impact.
Smash Factor: Ball speed divided by club speed. A measurement of impact efficiency. Theoretical maximum is 1.50.
Attack Angle: Upward or downward club movement through impact. Positive equals upward movement, negative equals downward movement.
Spin Axis: The amount of axis tilt a golf ball has. Negative equals left movement, positive equals right movement. There is no such thing as side spin; a golf ball can only spin backwards. The amount of axis tilt determines the left or right movement.
Height: The height of the golf ball at its trajectory apex in relation to the horizon line.
Landing Angle: The angle of decent in relation to the horizon line.
Carry: The amount of carry distance in yards to the horizon line.
Total: An estimated number. Based on a bounce and roll model developed from PGA tour playing conditions.
Download the PDF here.
