Driver Maximize Your Distance

The launch parameters for maximizing distance with the driver are (in order of importance): 1. Ball Speed 2. Launch Angle 3. Backspin

Ball Speed:
Ball Speed refers to the balls initial velocity at launch. A high ball speed is primarily generated from a high club speed. However, the impact location on the clubface, the dynamic loft, and the attack angle also play a role in producing the ball speed. Ball speed divided by club speed is called the Smash Factor. Smash factor describes the efficiency of impact. The smash factor depends on the impact location (on the clubface) and the spin loft. The more centered the impact, the higher the smash factor. The lower the spin loft, the higher the smash factor. A smash factor of 1.48 is maximum for a driver (COR regulated). Spin loft is equal to the dynamic loft minus the angle of attack. Dynamic loft (or effective loft) of the club at the point of impact is calculated relative to vertical. As a rule of thumb, the dynamic loft is calculated as follows: Dynamic loft = Static Loft + Attack Angle + an adjustment for the impact of the bent shaft (typically +2 for a driver).

Launch Angle:
Launch Angle is the balls initial launch angle relative to the ground (horizon) level. The optimal launch angle for a driver is individual for each golfer. It is primarily dictated by club speed and attack angle. The most effective drivers are launching at 11 degrees or higher. There is a big difference between individual pros (ranges from 6 to 15 degrees are typical).

Backspin:
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The spin rate (backspin) is measured just after impact (how many times the ball rotates per minute when leaving the clubface).

Optimizing Driver Distance:

The lower the golfers clubhead speed and the more downward their angle of attack, the higher the launch angle and the higher the amount of backspin must be to fully optimize the golfers driver distance. This is because a lower clubhead speed with de-lofted face from the downward angle of attack means a lower ball speed with lower launch to begin with that combines to dictate the need for a higher launch angle with more spin to keep the ball in the air long enough to turn that ball speed into the most distance possible. Conversely, the higher the clubhead speed and more upward the golfers angle of attack, the lower the launch angle and lower the spin must be to optimize the golfers driving distance. A higher clubhead speed generates a higher ball speed. The upward angle of attack enhances the launch angle to get the ball up. The higher ball speed keeps the in the air so less spin is needed to add to that to maximize distance.

The following charts show optimum driver launch parameters for total distance (carry plus roll). The more downward the golfers angle of attack, the HIGHER THE SPIN MUST BE to optimize the shot for maximum total distance. In other words, if you have a downward angle of attack, you do not want your spin to be less than 3,000 rpm or else you are going to sacrifice even more distance. Low spin with the driver is only good if you have BOTH a high clubhead speed and a very upward angle of attack

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