Club fitting 101... Glossary of terms

Understanding Your Golf Fitting Numbers

Have you ever had a golf fitting?

Do you understand what all of the numbers mean?

Did it improve your golf game?

Did you understand the terms your fitter used to explain your swing tendencies?

Did it help you select the clubs you currently play?

These definitions will help you understand “why” it is important for you to become more educated about your golf game.

In a few weeks you will be able to use this knowledge to hopefully lower your scores.

Definition of Terms

CLUBHEAD SPEED

Is the speed (MPH) you swing your club at the moment you make contact (impact) with the ball.

Is it Important? – Yes, it is important. The faster you swing your club is a factor in determining how far you should hit your ball when making solid contact.

Driver Speed –Super Senior...60-70 MPH Senior...70-80 MPH80-90 MPH Average Amateur...90-100 MPH PGA Tour Average...113 MPH

BALL SPEED

Is determined by how fast the ball leaves the club face of your golf club when you make contact.

It is important because it is one of the critical factors in determining how far you can hit the ball.

SMASH FACTOR

Your Smash Factor is determined by dividing your ball speed by your clubhead speed.

The number shows how proficiently you are transferring energy to your ball.

A smash factor of 1.45 - 1.50 is excellent with a driver...1.30 - 1.35 with a 7 iron and 1.20 - 1.25 with a wedge.

LAUNCH ANGLE

It is the angle your ball bounces off the face of your club.

Launch angle identifies how high your shots fly.

When using your driver, a launch angle of 13-15 degrees is considered excellent.

A launch angle of 10 or below is considered low and won’t carry very far.

If the number is 18 or above with your driver, it is too high and might cause amateur golfers to loose distance.

CLUB PATH

Your club path is the direction your club is swinging through impact based on your intended target.

An “in-to-out” path might produce draws.

An “out-to-in” path might result in producing fades or slices.

Your club path assists in determining your shot shape.

FACE ANGLE

Your face angle is where your club head is pointing when you make contact with the ball.

If it is “Open”, your clubface is pointing right of target.

If it is pointing “Closed”, your clubface is pointing left of your target.

If it is “Square” to your target, it is pointing directly at your target.

Face angle is important because it determines where you ball will go when to make contact.

ANGLE OF ATTACK

This Is a measurement to determine if your club is moving upward or downward when you swing.

A positive number means your hitting up on the ball...which is beneficial when hitting a driver.

A negative number means you are hitting down.

A descending swing with your irons is preferred for your irons.

SPIN RATE

Spin rate is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).

Spin is important because it stabilizes your ball flight.

Too much spin can cause your ball to go higher and lose distance.

Too little spin can cause your ball to fly lower and roll over the green.

Ideal spin rates for a driver is between 2,000 - 2,500 RPM.

Ideal spin rates for your 7 iron is 6,000-7,000 RPM.

Ideal spin rates for your wedges is 8,000-10,000 RPM.

CARRY DISTANCE VS TOTAL DISTANCE

Carry distance is how far your ball flies while in the air.

Total distance is determined by adding your carry distance plus the distance of your roll-out when your ball stops at rest.

These numbers can help your course management when you are not sure you can carry a pond or hitting over trees.

Final Thought

There are always “THREE FACTORS” that will chart your journey through golf and life...

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, and ATTITUDE”.

When you acquire all “THREE”, you will be a very happy person.

Good luck on your journey.