Wishon on optimising launch and distance

[dave.]

......when it comes to optimizing distance for any golfer, the number one most important parameter to maximize is BALL SPEED.

Number two is LAUNCH ANGLE, and number three is SPIN.

In other words, if you can;t get the golfer into a driver head that allows him to reach a smash factor of 1.48 on his best, most solid impacts, you are robbing him of distance right from the get go. OK, usually buying a quality made head with a COR right up to the USGA Limit gets you that.

Second, if you do not determine what is the best launch angle for the golfer's swing speed + Angle of Attack, it won;t matter a hoot if the spin is too low or too high or perfect for that golfer. Without the optimum Launch Angle for that golfer's swing speed and A of A, he won;t get to his maximum distance.

So if moving the impact point to the center changes the Launch Angle so it is not optimal any more, then moving the golfer into a higher loft version head so that center face impact = best Launch Angle is what you have to do - and in that case, you pretty much then have to accept the spin that goes along with that.

Lowering spin to better optimize driver distance is VERY OVERBLOWN for most golfers. We find that it is something that you try to tweak and optimize ONLY AFTER YOU FIND THE DRIVER HEAD THAT GIVES THE GOLFER THE HIGEST BALL SPEED + THE CORRECT LAUNCH ANGLE.

TOM



I thought you find this interesting considering the garbage fed to me recently at several trips to monitors. Considering the SMT gave me the highest ball speed regardless of spin, the guy trying to sell me an expensive OEM club was clearly talking bs

[LyleG]

Like always Tom tells it like it is. The thing I like best about Tom is that he pulls no punches, and doesn't sugar coat anything. Just the facts. Thats the way I like it.

[MGP]

Over the past season I came to all the same conclusions Tom does.

I have a pretty flat AofA and moderate swing speed... so I've been inching the loft of my drivers up and getting progressively more carry. No signs of ballooning yet so I really don't care that much about the spin (hey, my drives aren't backing up yet ).

I have a good idea of what kind of shafts work for me, what launch angle I'm looking for and now I am focusing on ball speed and consistency. I have a couple very workable drivers now and it's pretty much just fine tuning to get the best smash factor and consistency I can.

[warbirdlover]

And if you're still worried about spin you can switch balls to get that lower or higher somewhat.