The 6 most important launch monitor numbers to track

There isn’t a Tour player alive who doesn’t know his swing measurements by heart. Following their lead could be the next big step you make in your search for lower scores. The trick: making sense of the numbers so you know what’s working and what isn’t. Focus on the following:

Clubhead Speed

This is largely considered one of the primary indicators of a golfer’s true potential. Whether you want to curve the ball, make it stop on a dime or hit the living daylights out of it, you need speed. Obviously, the more mph the better.

Ball Spin

Spin values say a lot about the quality of your strike. They’re also primary parameters to consider if a club is optimally fit for a player. Also critical is the axis on which the ball rotates, so pay attention to that.

A consistent spin axis measurement is evidence of a repeatable ballflight, regardless if it’s straight, fading or drawing.

Foresight GC3 Ball Enabled Bundle

Choose the data you need.  The GC3 Ball Enabled — a configuration of the GC3 launch monitor with ball data only — is now available in this exclusive webstore bundle. Included is FSX Play, FSX 2020, FSX Pro, and 25 Golf Courses!  Please note: Clubhead Measurement can be purchased as an upgrade at any time. Lowest price on our game-changing technology. Starting at only $5,999, this bundle gives you the opportunity to step up your game at the lowest price point available. Ball data the GC3 measures: Ball Speed Horizontal & Vertical Launch Angles Total Spin Side Spin / Spin Axis Carry Distance Club data the GC3 measures (requires club add-on): *Clubhead Measurement add-on required. Club Path Angle of Attack Smash Factor Club Head Speed Each bundle comes with: GC3 Ball Enabled Launch Monitor FSX Play Software  FSX 2020 Software  10 Courses FSX Pro Performance Software Foresight Fairgrounds Foresight Sports Performance App  1-Year Warranty  Power Adapter & Cable USB-C Cable Alignment Stick Club Markers Courses included: Blue Bayou Golf and Fishing Club Broken Tree Golf Course Linfield National Golf Club Teton Pines Golf Course Willow Crest Golf Club The Farms Golf Club Beaver Hills Country Club Tall Pines Butterfield Country Club (Red/Blue) Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club GC3 Specifications:  Technology: Triscopic High-Speed Camera System  Dimensions: 6“(w) x 5″(d) x 12″(h)  Weight: 5lbs / 2.3kg   Battery: Lithium-Ion   Data Interface: USB Type C / WiFi / Ethernet  Display: Transflective LCD Touch Screen Terms & conditions: U.S. customers only. After 24 hours, a fee of $250 will be incurred by the customer for order cancellation of this product purchase. Tax and freight not included in MSRP shown.

$5999 from Fairway Jockey

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Smash Factor

This value is basically a swing efficiency measurement: ball speed divided by clubhead speed. An optimal smash factor for a driver is approximately 1.48 to 1.51; your goal with, say, a 6-iron should be around 1.35 to 1.4. Smash indicates how solid you’re catching the ball and, more important, if contact is around the sweet spot.

Dispersion

When you consider that the average fairway is 40 yards wide, you need this value to be within 25 yards (left or right) with a driver. Anything more and you’ll risk hitting into hazards or even out of bounds.

Carry Distance

Carry is the true measure of distance potential and elevated course management. For a lower clubhead speed golfer, carry distance helps you understand the difference between the total distance of a shot, including rollout, compared to how far the ball flew in the air — critical on holes that require you to navigate hazards.

Higher swing speed players should look at carry data across all shots, including maximums and minimums. When you know your range, you know when to go for it or throttle down.

Foresight Sports Essential Putting Analysis Add-on

Get the putt outta here The world’s most advanced launch monitor just got even better. With Essential Putting Analysis, you’ve now got never-before-seen putting sight at your fingertips. From post-impact ball launch and skid measurements to precisely calculated roll distance, fitters, coaches, and players can now experience an entirely new level of putting performance insight on their GCQuad. What putting data the GCQuad measures:  Ball velocity Vertical launch angle Horizontal launch direction Total spin Spin-tilt axis Back spin Side spin Club speed Smash factor Club path Angle of attack Impact face angle Impact lie Impact location  Skid rate Time to full roll RPM’s at full roll Note: All Sales are Final and subject to Foresight Sports Terms and Conditions of Sale published at http://www.foresightsports.com/content/legal-trademark. U.S. customers only. 

$2500 from Fairway Jockey

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Face Angle

Most modern research studies show that where the clubface points at impact is the ultimate factor determining the success of most shots. In my opinion, it’s the king of all measurements. If you’re having difficulty keeping the ball in play, this number is the first one you should look to improve. Even an error of just 2 degrees (open or closed) can wreak havoc on your game.