Learning to get more loft

Last week I talked about maximizing your distance by using a launch monitor.

A golfer with a downward angle of attack is always going to be at a disadvantage in overall driver performance to the golfer with an upward angle of attack.

The more the golfer swings with a downward angle of attack, the more loft they will need to play on their driver to offset the effect of the downward angle of attack on the dynamic loft and resulting launch angle.

The higher the driver loft to achieve the optimum launch angle, the more backspin is generated.

To give you an idea how much of a problem the downward angle of attack can be, let’s look at my chart (above right) with a downward angle of attack.

From the information, you can see that if I were able to somehow change my swing I would be able to deliver the driver to impact with a 5° upward angle of attack, I would gain a incredible amount of carry distance.

However, the question certainly would be, if I were to embark on such a major swing change, would I still be able to retain the swing consistency necessary to take advantage of the potential for more distance?

It is amazing that I can increase my distance by nearly 30 yards without increasing clubhead speed.

I found it very hard to change my swing, but hope to, in the coming months.

From this we can learn a few points to keep in mind with respect to driver performance and fitting:

Optimum launch conditions for maximum distance are primarily dependent on clubhead speed and the angle of attack

If the club head speed and angle of attack of the golfer is not known, it is not possible to tell from ball launch conditions if the golfer is maximizing his or her potential for distance or not.

With the assistance of ball flight monitor, we can offer the following chart which reveals the most optimum launch parameters for maximum carry distance for a number of different club head speeds (swing speed) and different angles of attack

Keep in mind that when fairways are firm and very dry, it is always best to reduce the loft, dynamic loft, launch angle and reduce the carry distance to lower the shot trajectory and take advantage of more roll on the fairways for the greatest total distance.

Getting more distance

To give you an idea how much of a problem the downward angle of attack can be, let’s look at my statistics with a downward angle of attack:

Conclusions

Feel will continue to be an important part of our golf equipment and swing feedback.

A few examples of how small changes in launch conditions can affect distance results have been presented.

It is hard to measure feel. I certainly did not feel myself hit down on the ball.

Advances in technology are making it easier to measure launch conditions and integrate ball flight science.

When launch monitor feedback is used properly, it aids the learning process of our capabilities with golf equipment, from driver through SW, what’s working, and how consistent it performs.

On course testing and validation helps confirm out the better result than the better feel. Again the best advice is to consult your local PGA Professional.