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.

[FaultyClubs]

If it weren't for our egos, most people probably would be better off printing the PGA chart for the LADIES...

To optimize driver distance by changing LA maybe try different numbers in TO or OF and see what happens. Optimum LA depends on more than just ball speed.

It would be interesting to hear from a real pro teacher why even the lpga ladies can out hit most guys. What do they do different than us? I bet there are some common themes.

[MainStGolf]

I have the ladies chart too :-).

[Shankygolf]

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?

Thanks! Yes 100% same with driver, so so many factors but ideally 14-15 degrees of launch for that speed should help to optimise your ball flight but hard to say for sure without knowing all of your numbers.
Drills to improve speed I'd suggest getting the quads and glutes firing better, do squats and lunges to strengthen them.

[Shankygolf]

If it weren't for our egos, most people probably would be better off printing the PGA chart for the LADIES...

To optimize driver distance by changing LA maybe try different numbers in TO or OF and see what happens. Optimum LA depends on more than just ball speed.

It would be interesting to hear from a real pro teacher why even the lpga ladies can out hit most guys. What do they do different than us? I bet there are some common themes.

2 things

1, I'd agree that comparing to the ladies would be a better idea

2, I'll try not to take offence to your last comment as I already said I'm a teaching pro (PGA qualified) but they basically use their leg and core flexibility better than the vast majority of male ams. I'll leave the rest to a real pro/someone more qualified than me to expand on this.....would have thought that 20+ years on the front line (lesson tee) working with pros and ams of both sexes would be enough but hey

[FaultyClubs]

Oops, sorry shanky you misunderstand! I meant it would be interesting to hear from YOU because you are a real pro versus comments from us amateurs. My bad for being unclear.

[Shankygolf]

Thanks for clearing that up! Difficultly with reading things on forums as can easily be misunderstood. This is very much a can of worms subject imo

[k14]

Interesting thread, good to see some discussion on this. Something else that came to mind, are people comparing the same loft irons or the same number irons when comparing to pro's? I know pretty much all game improvement irons have lofts of 2-4 degrees stronger than the players irons most pro's use. This could mean a 6i for you is the same loft as a 5i for the pro etc.

Does anyone have a copy of the chart (or link) that is being discussed?

[goatbarn]

Google LPGA Trackman averages

[Shankygolf]

For me doing what I do day in day out the most common issues with amateur golf are (in no particular order) lack of using the ground efficiently through the downswing, transferring pressure correctly, shaft lean and most of all working on things that are simply irrelevant (nothing to do with this thread, honest).

What makes it so hard imo is that without seeing an individuals swing or numbers its so hard to give a generalised bit of advice that you could all try and see results from. For some it will be the right thing to do yet for others that are already doing it, they will then overdo it and blame me for giving them duff advice.

If you would like me to take a look at your swing or numbers then feel free to contact me at my website - my username followed by .co.uk where you will find my online lesson packages and deals.

[James James]

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

Completely agree. Anyone can join the trackman university (free) and it includes numerous optimisers. You can then work out your optimum based on your numbers. Changing the variables (particularly swing speed) alters optimum launch requirements.