Comparing Numbers

[MainStGolf]

I recently printed off a "tour average" sheet of Trackman numbers and hung on the wall next to my simulator. I occasionally look back at the chart to compare those numbers to what I'm getting. I'm not sure it's possible I'm going to ever achieve the ball speed numbers or the swing speed numbers. I'm just not as flexible as I was 20 years ago :-(. However, what I do compare especially is the launch angle.

I'm curious as to what my fellow amateurs are getting for their launch angle numbers. I worked on my PW and 8-iron especially yesterday trying to get them down to what the Trackman chart said. And I could come to within a couple of degrees of those launch numbers when I had a half swing, but as soon as I put a full swing on the ball I went right back to "my" normal numbers, which for the 8-iron is generally 26-28 degrees and PW is in the 30s more than not.

I've been doing this for several weeks, and again am curious if you all are getting launch numbers close to the tour averages or like me 6-10 degrees off on most swings. And how that relates to your distance.

[wbond]

I get very near their launch angles. The only problem, it's not with the same club . I'm sure it would go farther if i could get my LA down. It hasn't been for lack of trying, I've just accepted that I have a natural swing tendency and it's to launch it high. Good thing i don't play a lot in the wind.

You should play against one of my ghost balls, i hit driver like a lob wedge. SLDR 9.5 set to low or Ping G30 LS 9 set to low.

[TheCoupe]

If you're hitting it that high, you should take a look at the shafts you play. I used to be the same with mine on a 9 degree tour head where the ball came down with snow on it lol a friend of mine let me use his trackman in his shop and immediately switched the shaft and hot melted the head for balance and I started hitting longer, more penetrating shots.

[Tommyseb]

Interesting video on the topic of launch angle and impact angle, certainly was contrary to what I always thought. http://youtu.be/GKHM9APu8CA

[MainStGolf]

I can get there pretty consistently with half and sometimes even 3/4 swings, but once I go full on I just can't get that forward shaft lean back. And yes it's not from a lack of trying :-(.

[fortysixandtwo]

Ball launch and dynamic loft are a little different which I think trackman stat averages are showing dynamic loft. If you have a chance you should get on a trackman or hmt to see what's going with your impact and release. What do they say is a good number? 1/2 the loft of an iron for dynamic loft? Ball launch would be a degree or two lower? You could probably gain some yards by lowering your dynamic loft provided your swing speed is pretty good, otherwise it will be harder to hold a green.

[MainStGolf]

I spent some time on a Trackman last weekend, but I just looked back at the report they sent to me and it did not give launch angle or dynamic loft :-(. Although I hit the ball much better tonight according to my skytrak numbers. I think my average last week was below 150 for my 7i and tonight I probably averaged 155. I even hit a few 170-plus. Finally getting my 8i back to its 150ish mark. Hit a few at 160-plus tonight. And none of them launched at nearly the launch angle on the trackman chart. I was up into the lower 20s with my 7i and 26-28 with my 8i tonight.

[TorchRedRob]

Launch angle also depends heavily on the ball you use. Here is a comparison of 7-iron shots where all I did was switch balls. Top set of data is a new Bridgestone e6, and bottom set of data is a new Callaway SR3. The cover (urethane vs surlyn-type material) and the ball construction have a lot to do with it. Notice the large difference in VLA and spin for similar ball speeds. This is same day, same club, back-to-back testing. The only difference between the top and bottom data sets is the ball.

[MainStGolf]

That's interesting. I normally play a ProV1x, but I also have Nike Softs and I don't think I would see that dramatic a difference, but it would be interesting to see the real numbers.

[Dax]

For those that are getting data or going on a TM I thought I would point out that In the TPS software there is an option that you can select called optimizer. Pressing on this will take you to a screen that will tell you the ranges of various parameters that you need to achieve in order to optimize your shot.

I find it to be a useful tool, but note that I don't try to chase numbers as I think that it will do me more harm than good.

[Ironstrokes]

Launch angle also depends heavily on the ball you use. Here is a comparison of 7-iron shots where all I did was switch balls. Top set of data is a new Bridgestone e6, and bottom set of data is a new Callaway SR3. The cover (urethane vs surlyn-type material) and the ball construction have a lot to do with it. Notice the large difference in VLA and spin for similar ball speeds. This is same day, same club, back-to-back testing. The only difference between the top and bottom data sets is the ball. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n69098[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n69100[/ATTACH]

This, 100 pecent agree, especially with my wedges! Definitely a big game changer for me that i only realize after getting my skytrak. Used to use any random new ball I could find. While I can hit the ball a pretty good distance (180ish carry with my 7 iron) I was struggling to hit a sand wedge 100 yards swinging as hard as I could. Then I switched to some prov1s and wow. The launch angle basically felt like it dropped in half after how high the cheap ball rolled up the face and shot straight upwards and now a 100 yard is a nice smooth swing. If anyone is worried about high launch I would definitely second this and look at the ball first if they havnt already

[abirdie4me]

For many, working on proper weight shift can help lower your launch angle. The majority of amateurs (myself included) improperly shift their weight, often getting to the front leg too late. As a test, try leaving much of your weight on your front foot instead of shifting back, you probably won't hit the ball as far but there is a good chance your launch angle will be better. I'm not recommending doing this as a long term swing change, just as a test to see if getting your weight shifted earlier can help you increase your shaft lean and thus lower your launch angle.

[Shankygolf]

What you have to remember with this is that if you were to actually match the average launch angle but keep your ball speed the ball will simply fall short all of the time.

Imagine holding a hosepipe so its at 90 degrees to the ground, without increasing the pressure how would you go about getting the water to go further? The answer is to angle the hose more upwards. Now keep going upwards and the water will start to fall short again. Its a very similar thing to this.

Essentially what everybody does is learn how much angle is needed to attain maximum distance from the speed we can generate. Trying to lower your launch angle to match tour averages is not good for amateur golf imo. You need to look at the bigger picture

Just my 2c worth of input

[Timdm3]

Thanks for posting this MainStGolf . I have the same chart above my computer and for the life of me I cannot get close to these launch angles. I am always several degrees higher in my regular swing.

I understand chasing tour numbers is not the smartest way to improve your game, but maybe there are bits and pieces that can be obtained from this chase. Any low handicapers or swing gurus on here have swing advice for drills or correct moves to lower launch angle?

[Shankygolf]

Any low handicapers or swing gurus on here have swing advice for drills or correct moves to lower launch angle?

I'm a golf pro and coach full time hence my reply above.

Oh there's plenty of drills to do what you ask but my question would always be why are you wanting to lower launch in an effort to match what a tour pro does?? Unless you can match their ball speed its a pointless quest that WILL send your game into decline.

[Timdm3]

I'm a golf pro and coach full time hence my reply above.

Oh there's plenty of drills to do what you ask but my question would always be why are you wanting to lower launch in an effort to match what a tour pro does?? Unless you can match their ball speed its a pointless quest that WILL send your game into decline.

That is a great question and one I probably don't have an exact answer for. I guess ultimately I would like to get more distance while still maintaining a swing that feels in control. If I can achieve that with a minor swing change to adjust launch angle and keep my same swing tempo, I guess that is what I'm going after.

Also, I am aware that I have pretty apparent swing flaws or a non-traditional swing. I have a very inside and shallow takeaway to a more vertical downswing that I have been trying to correct. Not sure if improving takeaway helps launch angle or vice - versa.

I know the ultimate answer is to get a lesson... Just hard with time right now with 2 toddlers to devote more time to golf.

[MainStGolf]

Shanky welcome! Would you say the same for the driver? I'm guessing yes? So what in your opinion would be optimal launch angle for a driver with a ball speed of 145-150? Drills to increase your ball speed?