This winter, I’ve taken a number of golfers through a Shot Optimization session utilizing the TrackMan Launch Monitor at my new indoor golf studio. In these sessions, we look at both technique and club fitting. The goal is to get a club delivery and ball flight more like a PGA player.
The TrackMan launch monitor is a powerful training and fitting tool and helps me quickly identify opportunity areas for improvement. Each golfer goes through a serious of shots using a variety of clubs. I measure and compare the angle of attack, spin loft, ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and height. Using the information gathered we’ll cycle through a number of setup changes and fitting adjustments, such as loft and shaft options, and measure the improvements in results. In many instances, we are able to gain nearly 20 yards with the driver and a improve iron distance by a full club.
The power of TrackMan is that it not only measures the details that matter in how your club affects the flight of the ball, but the software makes comparisons between your shots and what would be “optimal” given the club and your swing speed. Utilizing a database of hundreds of thousands of golf shots, it identifies the areas you need to improve for greater distance and accuracy on the course.
It’s not a one-size fits all approach, but there are a few core elements that yield big returns. For example, the first thing I focus on is Angle of Attack. Angle of attack is the vertical angle your club is traveling at the moment of impact.
In general, your irons should have an angle of attack of negative 4 degrees. This allows you to compress the ball and make center contact — it also helps achieve an optimal launch angle and spin rate. In order to get the most out of our drives, you need an angle of attack of around positive 3 degrees (i.e. you’re hitting up on the ball). This allows for a less lofted driver, which will produce faster ball speed and less backspin — for most players that means longer, straighter drive.
If you are interested in setting up a Shot Optimization session and hitting longer more solid shots, please give me a call or email to set up a time.