Golf Launch Monitor Metrics Explained
Your launch monitor gives you 12 key numbers. Here's what each one means, why it matters, and how to use it to improve. Each metric includes a detailed explanation and example from a VectorGOLF report.
Carry
Carry distance is how far the ball travels through the air before it first touches the ground. It excludes roll. Your launch monitor measure...
Read more →Total Distance
Total distance is carry plus roll. It's the full distance the ball travels from impact to where it comes to rest....
Read more →Club Speed
Club speed is the velocity of the club head at impact, measured in miles per hour. It's the raw power input before efficiency (smash factor)...
Read more →Ball Speed
Ball speed is the velocity of the ball immediately after impact. It's the result of club speed, contact quality (smash factor), and club des...
Read more →Back Spin
Back spin is the rotation of the ball around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the flight direction. It creates lift and affects trajectory...
Read more →Side Spin
Side spin is the rotation that makes the ball curve left or right in flight. It's created by the difference between club path and face angle...
Read more →Horizontal Launch Angle
HLA (Horizontal Launch Angle) is the initial direction the ball leaves the clubface, relative to the target line. Negative = left, positive ...
Read more →Launch Angle
Launch angle (VLA—Vertical Launch Angle) is the angle at which the ball leaves the clubface relative to the ground. It's a key driver of tra...
Read more →Descent Angle
Descent angle is the angle at which the ball approaches the ground when it lands. Steeper = more stopping power on greens....
Read more →Face to Target
Face to Target is the direction the clubface points at impact relative to the target line. It's the primary driver of where the ball starts ...
Read more →Face to Path
Face to Path is the difference between where the face points and where the club is moving. It's the D-Plane key that determines spin axis an...
Read more →Smash Factor
Smash factor is ball speed divided by club speed. It measures impact efficiency—how much of your club speed transfers to the ball. Perfect c...
Read more →See All 12 Metrics in Your Report
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