Launch monitors are now common at driving ranges, fitting studios and even in golfers' garages. They produce a screen full of numbers after every shot, but what do they mean, and which ones matter? Understanding your launch monitor data helps you get more from practice, choose the right equipment and see what's really causing your misses. Here's a plain-English guide.
Two types of launch monitor
- Radar-based: tracks the ball (and often the club) in flight. Usually placed behind the golfer; needs space for ball flight.
- Camera-based (photometric): captures high-speed images of the ball and club at impact. Usually placed beside the ball; works well indoors.
Read home golf simulator guide and golf training aids and simulators.
Ball data
| Number | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ball speed | Speed of the ball just after impact | The main driver of distance |
| Launch angle | Vertical angle the ball starts at | Too low or too high costs carry |
| Launch direction | Horizontal start direction | Shows where the ball started |
| Spin rate | Backspin in rpm | Affects height, carry and stopping power |
| Spin axis | Tilt of the spin | Shows curve: left or right |
| Carry | Distance in the air | Key for knowing your yardages |
| Total | Carry plus roll | Depends on conditions |
| Apex (peak height) | Highest point of the flight | Too low won't hold greens |
| Descent (land) angle | Angle at which the ball lands | Steeper angles stop faster |
Club data
| Number | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Club speed | Speed of the club head before impact | Potential for distance |
| Smash factor | Ball speed divided by club speed | Quality of strike |
| Attack angle | Whether the club is moving up or down at impact | Affects launch and spin |
| Club path | Direction the club is moving at impact | Influences curve and start |
| Face angle | Where the face points at impact | Main factor in start direction |
| Face to path | Difference between face and path | Determines curve |
| Dynamic loft | Loft at impact | Affects launch and spin |
| Spin loft | Dynamic loft minus attack angle | A major factor in spin |
| Low point | Where the swing bottoms out | Affects contact quality with irons |
Smash factor
Smash factor tells you how efficiently you transfer club speed into ball speed.
| Club | Excellent smash factor |
|---|---|
| Driver | About 1.45 to 1.50 |
| Mid-iron | About 1.33 to 1.38 |
| Wedge | About 1.20 to 1.25 |
Low smash factor usually means off-centre contact. Read how to hit the ball solidly.
Typical driver numbers
| Club speed | Ideal launch | Ideal spin |
|---|---|---|
| Under 85 mph | About 14° to 17° | About 2,500 to 3,000 rpm |
| 85 to 100 mph | About 12° to 15° | About 2,200 to 2,800 rpm |
| Over 100 mph | About 10° to 14° | About 2,000 to 2,500 rpm |
These are general guidelines; a fitter will look at your optimal combination for maximum carry and control. Read how to choose a driver.
Attack angle
- Driver: a slightly upward attack angle (positive) usually gives more launch and less spin. Read how to hit a driver.
- Irons: a downward attack angle (negative), typically a few degrees, for ball-first contact.
Direction: face and path
- The ball starts mostly where the face points.
- It curves away from the path.
- Face to path: positive (face open to path) curves right for right-handers; negative curves left.
Read how to hit a draw and a fade, how to fix a slice and how to fix a push and a pull.
How to use your data
- Warm up before recording data.
- Hit 10 or more shots per club.
- Look at averages and dispersion, not your best shot.
- Build your yardage chart from carry distances. Use our club distance chart.
- Pick one number to improve: for example, smash factor (contact) or attack angle.
- Retest after practice or lessons.
Common mistakes
- Chasing club speed at the expense of contact.
- Focusing on total distance indoors, which is estimated.
- Comparing numbers between different devices, which can measure differently.
- Over-analysing: too many numbers can cloud your practice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good smash factor?
About 1.45 to 1.50 with a driver is excellent. Lower numbers suggest off-centre strikes.
Which launch monitor number matters most?
For distance, ball speed and carry. For accuracy, face angle and face-to-path.
What should my driver spin be?
Often around 2,000 to 3,000 rpm, depending on your speed and launch.
Are home launch monitors accurate?
Many are reasonably accurate for key numbers such as ball speed, launch and carry, though accuracy varies between models and set-ups.
The bottom line
Launch monitor data tells you what the ball did and why. Focus on carry distances for your yardages, smash factor for contact, launch and spin for distance, and face and path for direction. Use averages, change one thing at a time and let the numbers guide your practice rather than overwhelm it. For more on using video, read golf swing video analysis.
Buying one? Read how to choose a launch monitor. For power, read force plates and ground forces.