The 6 most important launch monitor numbers to track
With the rise of launch monitors in golf, it's essential to know what number you're looking for to improve your swing.
Courtesy Foresight Sports
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.
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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.
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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.
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