Here, we will describe various metrics that a golf simulator tracks and provides to you.
By understanding these metrics and how they interact, golfers like you can gain valuable insights into your.
This insight can help you make decisions about practice and equipment.
Here, it’s important to note that some simulators may offer additional metrics or have slightly different phrasings.
So, you must focus on the core data points listed below, as they will provide a strong foundation for analyzing your game.
Note:
Many blogs call these metrics “launch monitor metrics,” but since launch monitors are often part of golf simulators, we would like to mention them as golf simulator metrics.
35 Golf Simulator (Launch Monitor) Metrics
1) Total Distance
Total Distance is a fundamental metric in golf that measures the entire distance the golf ball travels, from the impact point with the clubface to where it finally comes to rest on the ground.
It is the total of both the carry distance (the distance through the air) and the roll after landing.
Total Distance provides a comprehensive measure of a golfer’s overall power and shot effectiveness.
Factors affecting Total Distance include
Clubhead Speed: Higher clubhead speeds typically result in greater ball velocity, which translates to increased distance.
Launch Angle: An optimal launch angle maximizes carry and roll.
Spin Rate: Lower spin rates generally result in more distance due to reduced air resistance.
Ball Speed: Faster ball speeds result in greater distance, all else being equal.
Surrounding Conditions: Aspects such as wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, and altitude can all influence total distance by either aiding or hindering the ball’s flight.
2) Carry Distance
Carry Distance is an important metric in a golf simulator that specifically measures the distance the ball travels through the air, from the moment of impact with the clubface until it first makes contact with the ground.
Note: It excludes any roll or bounce after landing.
Here are some key points about Carry Distance
1) Understanding Carry Distance is essential for selecting the appropriate club for each shot, as different clubs produce varying levels of carry due to factors such as loft, club head speed, and angle of attack.
2) The trajectory of the shot, influenced by factors like launch angle and spin rate, plays a significant role in determining carry distance.
3) Conditions such as wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, and altitude can all affect it.
3) Roll Distance
Roll distance measures the distance the ball travels on the ground after it makes initial contact following its flight through the air (Carry Distance).
Unlike Carry Distance, which focuses on the airborne portion of the shot, Roll Distance specifically considers the distance covered by the ball while it rolls along the turf.
Spin rate plays a major role in deciding Roll Distance. Shots with lower spin rates tend to experience less backspin upon landing, resulting in more forward roll.
Conversely, shots with higher spin rates may generate more backspin and make the golf ball stop more quickly after landing.
It can be heavily influenced by the condition of the golf course, including factors such as the length and density of the grass, the firmness of the turf, and the presence of slopes or contours.
Shots landing on well-maintained fairways with shorter grass are likely to experience greater roll than those landing in thicker rough.
Golfers often consider Roll Distance when selecting clubs and planning their approach shots.
For example, they may aim to land the ball short of the green and allow it to roll towards the pin.
4) Ball Speed
Ball Speed is a measurement of the velocity of the ball when it leaves the clubface at impact. It is a key factor in determining the distance a shot will travel.
Ball Speed is closely related to the speed of the clubhead as it swings through impact. A faster clubhead speed generally results in higher ball speeds, provided that the strike is centered and efficient.
The quality of contact between your clubface and the golf ball significantly affects Ball Speed.
Shots struck in the center of the clubface, known as the “sweet spot,” typically produce higher ball speeds than off-center strikes.
The use of materials like titanium and carbon composite has enabled manufacturers to optimize clubhead designs for increased Ball Speed and distance.
Additionally, ball speed, combined with launch angle and spin rate, influences the trajectory of the shot. Higher ball speeds can result in a flatter trajectory, which may maximize distance but also requires careful consideration of carry distance and roll.
5) Spin Rate (Total & Backspin)
Total Spin refers to the overall amount of spin applied to the ball, encompassing both backspin (spin around a vertical axis) and sidespin (spin around a horizontal axis). Total Spin is a key factor in controlling the ball’s flight and behavior upon landing.
Backspin is the component of Total Spin that influences the vertical lift and descent of the ball. It creates lift which helps the ball stay airborne longer and maintain a higher trajectory.
Backspin is important for controlling distance and accuracy, as well as enabling the ball to stop quickly upon landing, particularly on greens.
Too much backspin can lead to a ballooning effect which reduces the the overall distance, especially in windy conditions. Conversely, insufficient backspin may result in a lower trajectory and less control over the ball’s landing and roll.
Clubhead speed, angle of attack, loft angle, quality of contact, etc are some factors that affect the spin data.
6) Launch Angle
Launch angle is the angle at which the ball leaves the course ground or tee upon impact with the clubface. It determines the trajectory, distance, and control of a golf shot.
Though the ideal Launch Angle varies depending on the desired outcome of the shot, generally, golfers aim to achieve a launch angle that optimizes both carry distance and height.
A higher launch angle typically results in a higher ball flight and longer carry distance, while a lower launch angle may produce a flatter trajectory with more roll upon landing.
This metric directly affects the carry distance of the shot. By launching the ball at the optimal angle, you can maximize the distance the ball travels through the air before landing.
The right angle of the launch depends on factors such as club selection, shot type, course conditions, etc.
7) Flight Time
It is the duration for which the ball remains airborne from the moment of impact with the clubface until it lands on the ground.
It excludes any roll or bounce after landing.
8) Clubhead Speed
The speed of the clubhead at impact. A key factor in deciding ball speed and distance.
It directly influences the speed at which the ball leaves the clubface (Ball Speed). A higher Clubhead Speed typically results in a higher Ball Speed, assuming the strike is centered and efficient. Greater ball speed means longer distances traveled by the ball.
If you can generate high clubhead speed, you can hit the ball far from the tee and achieve longer shots on the course.
9) Impact Location
Impact location which is also known as strike location, refers to the specific point on the clubface where the golf ball makes contact during a swing.
It directly affects the golf ball’s behavior after contact. A well-centered strike produces optimal ball flight characteristics, including maximum distance, accuracy, and consistency.
Conversely, off-center strikes can lead to deviations in ball flight and performance.
Shots struck toward the heel of the clubface tend to produce a fade or slice trajectory for right-handed golfers, while shots struck toward the toe may result in a draw or hook.
This metric also influences the spin rate and launch angle of the shot. Strikes closer to the center of the clubface typically produce lower spin rates and more optimal launch angles, while strikes toward the perimeter may lead to higher spin rates
10) Club Path
Club Path describes the direction in which the clubhead is moving at the time of impact with the ball, relative to the target line. It plays an important role in determining the initial direction and shape of the shot.
11) Smash Factor
The smash factor is a significant statistic in golf that quantifies the efficiency of energy transfer from the clubhead to the ball during impact.
The smash factor is calculated as the ratio of ball speed to clubhead speed.
It provides valuable insights into the quality of clubface contact and the effectiveness of the golfer’s swing.
Key points about the smash factor
It measures how effectively the energy generated by the golfer’s swing is transferred to the ball at impact.
A higher Smash Factor indicates more efficient energy transfer, resulting in greater ball speed relative to clubhead speed.
It serves as an indicator of the quality of clubface contact.
A Smash Factor close to the ideal value of 1.5 suggests that the ball was struck squarely on the sweet spot of the clubface.
Professional golfers place a strong emphasis on improving the smash factor to optimize their performance on the course.
By consistently achieving higher smash factors, pro golfers can maximize the distance, accuracy, and control of their shots.
12) Spin Axis
It describes the orientation of the axis around which the golf ball is spinning. It also represents the direction of the ball’s spin relative to its trajectory through the air.
Ideally, the Spin Axis should align parallel to the target line, pointing directly back toward the target.
When the Spin Axis is aligned with the target line, the ball typically flies straight with minimal deviation from the intended path.
However, deviations in the Spin Axis can result in various shot shapes, such as draws, fades, slices, or hooks.
13) Apex Height
Apex height is the maximum altitude attained by the ball during its flight trajectory before descending towards the ground.
Shots with a higher apex tend to have a steeper descent angle and a more towering flight path.
Shots with a higher apex may experience greater wind resistance, potentially altering their flight path and landing location.
14) Impact Speed
In the context of speed, impact speed refers to the velocity of the putter head at the moment of impact with the golf ball during a putting stroke.
The speed of the putter head at impact directly affects the initial velocity of the ball, which in turn determines the distance it rolls on the green.
Impact speed influences the accuracy and line control of putts. A consistent Impact Speed helps golfers maintain a steady roll and control the direction of the putt along the intended line.
15) Skid Distance
It is a term used in golf to describe the initial distance the ball travels on the green after impact with the putter face.
Skid distance is the portion of the putt where the ball is in a skidding motion before it starts to roll smoothly along the green’s surface.
During this phase, the ball slides along the surface of the green without full rotation, generally due to the friction between the ball and the grass.
16) Roll Out
Rollout is the total distance the ball travels on the putting surface after it has completed the initial skid phase and transitions into a smooth rolling motion.
It includes the distance covered by the ball as it continues along its intended path toward the target hole until it comes to a complete stop.
17) Fairways Hit
Fairway is the designated strip of closely mown grass that runs between the tee box and the green on each hole.
Fairways Hit is a golf statistic that tracks the number of times a player successfully lands their tee shot in the fairway.
This metric is essential for assessing a player’s accuracy and consistency off the tee. It also shows the ability of golfers to position themselves favorably for subsequent shots.
18) Greens in Regulation (GIR)
Greens in Regulation (GIR) is a fundamental golf statistic that tracks the number of times a player successfully reaches the putting surface within the regulation number of strokes.
Specifically, it measures the percentage of holes on which a player achieves this feat, typically in two shots for par 4 holes and three shots for par 5 holes.
19) Putts Per Round
Tracks the average number of putts taken per hole.
20) Scrambling
This statistic measures a player’s ability to recover and save par after missing the green in regulation.
It tracks the percentage of times a player successfully makes par or better on a hole after failing to reach the green within the regulation number of strokes.
Scrambling reflects a player’s skill in navigating challenging situations, such as bunkers, and rough, or tricky lies around the green.
It also demonstrates their proficiency in short-game techniques such as chipping, pitching, and putting.
21) Face Angle
The face angle is the angle of the clubface at impact close to the target line. This can influence shot shape (draw, fade, slice, hook).
It is expressed in degrees. It represents the angle between the clubface and the target line at impact.
A square face angle indicates that the clubface is perpendicular to the target line, while an open face angle points to the right of the target line (for right-handed golfers), and a closed face angle points to the left.
Golfers often make adjustments to their swing technique and clubface orientation to achieve the desired face angle at impact.
Grip adjustments, hand positioning, and wrist manipulation can help golfers control the clubface and optimize the face angle for different shot shapes.
22) Attack Angle
The angle at which the clubhead meets the ball (upward or downward). It can impact the launch angle and spin rate.
It is measured in degrees and indicates whether the clubhead is moving upward or downward as it strikes the ball.
A positive attack angle means the club head is moving upward at impact, while a negative attack angle indicates a downward movement.
23) Dynamic Loft
It is the effective loft angle of the clubface at the moment of impact with the golf ball. It represents the actual loft presented to the ball during the swing, which may differ from the static loft of the club head.
Several factors can influence dynamic loft. These include the design and characteristics of a golf club, properties of the shaft, and swing dynamics such as swing speed, angle of attack, release timing, etc.
24) Angle of Attack
The angle of attack (AoA) is the angle at which your clubhead approaches the golf ball at the time of impact, specifically whether it is moving upward into the ball, downward, or level with the ground.
It determines the golf ball’s launch angle, spin rate, and overall trajectory.
25) Landing Angle
The angle at which the ball hits the ground. It affects how much the golf ball will roll or skip on the course ground after landing.
26) Side Spin (Sidespin Axis)
The amount of spin imparted to the ball along its horizontal axis. It can influence shot curvature and trajectory.
27) Deviation Distance
The amount of left or right deviation the ball experiences from its intended flight path.
28) Slope
Measures the incline or decline of the lie, which can impact ball flight and distance.
29) Club Lie Angle
The angle of the ground where the ball sits can affect clubface contact and launch angle.
30) Course Difficulty
It may allow adjusting factors like green speed, fairway firmness, and rough depth to create a more challenging or forgiving virtual course.
31) Club Loft Angle
It is the vertical angle of the club’s face when you put the club again on the ground after hitting.
32) Angle of Descent
The angle at which the golf ball lands on the course ground. You can expect the ball to land softly on the course ground when it is higher.
33) Lateral Landing
It is the distance between where the ball lands and your target line.
34) Low point
It refers to the lowest point of the club’s swing arc, measured in inches before or after impact.
For optimal performance, the low point should typically be after impact to ensure proper ball-turf contact.
35) Face to Path
The angle of the face compared to the club’s travel direction.
Things to consider before relying too much on these factors
Relying on golf simulator metrics factors can greatly improve your golf game. However, it’s essential to understand their limitations and use them in conjunction with other aspects of your game.
1) While launch monitor metrics offer valuable insights, they should be considered alongside other factors such as course conditions, wind, and lie.
Golf is played in dynamic environments, and factors like wind direction and course layout can influence shot outcomes.
2) While launch monitors can help optimize swing mechanics, developing skills like course management, mental toughness, and short-game proficiency are equally important for overall success in golf.
3) The guidance of a knowledgeable coach or instructor is a game-changer. They can interpret launch monitor data, provide personalized feedback, and help you develop a comprehensive improvement plan, making your journey to better golf a lot smoother.
They can help you understand how to apply the information effectively to your game and develop a comprehensive improvement plan.
