100-105 Swing Speed Distance

[Golf Gods]

I'm a 3 handicap SS between 115 to 117 I've been fitted for my drivers launch angle etc. My average carry/ roll out is around 270 to 280ish So if your banging them out there 300+ you should be happy. I play at sea level so I'm taking it most of you live in Denver.

I do once in while hit one 300 plus Don't you just those balls that hit the cart path.

[Aithos]

I swing between 99-101 for the most part and my normal shots are 230-240 carry in normal conditions. If it hit it really well I'll occasionally carry 250 and with bounce/roll can get out to 270-280 but very few are the times I've ever hit longer than that and usually wind aided (337 is my longest and was probably the best ball I've ever hit aided by a 30 mph gusting wind).

I'd say either outside factors are helping, your buddy has a higher ss than you think or you are mistaken about the "real" yardages. I used to think I carried 250-260 and averaged 270-280, when I got my gps and tracked a bunch of shots it was eye opening. My average hit ends at 245-255 and I'm fine with that, I'd rather know what I can hit than delude myself into thinking I drive the ball 300 yards.

I know one guy who gps measures 300, he bombs the ball way past me. I used to think this guy was 350 easy, now I know lol.

[UngiftedGolfer]

I went to a Ping demo day recently and tried the G20 with a number of different shafts. Here are the numbers for the one that seemed best for me, according to the nFlight LM the demo rep had set up.

Ball Speed = 153
Launch Angle = 12.2*
Spin = 2926
Carry = 260 yards
Total = 273 yards

Swing Speed was not calculated or given to me, but using the 1.5x method it would put my swing speed at about 102.

I don't think anyone could carry 300 with a 100-105 ss. You can go to flightscope.com and use their trajectory optimizer to plug in numbers to your hearts content. If you don't know your ball speed, just multiply your ss by 1.5 (that's what I've read in other threads).

Just so I don't hear it from anyone else, I know that the numbers I posted here don't produce the same results using the flightscope tool. That's why I don't take too much from launch monitors and sims, they tell some of the story, but not the whole story.

As for the real world, I've hit my drives to the numbers shown above. I've also hit them a lot longer in the right conditions, and a lot shorter. I think I would take 260-275 total every time if I could get it in the middle of the fairway each time.

[Golf Gods]

I've played for around thirty years and have played with hundreds of people. I've only played with one guy who hit consistent 300 plus drives. He is 6'6" and finished in the top ten in the Remax long drive a few years ago. But when it came to playing golf I can't really say it helps him more than someone who has an all around golf game.

Whooped my jaw though to see him drive par fours only to three putt. Guys like that are a rare breed to say the least.

[Wknd_Warrior]

[quote name='Golf Gods' timestamp='1340991642' post='5190290']
I'm a 3 handicap SS between 115 to 117 I've been fitted for my drivers launch angle etc. My average carry/ roll out is around 270 to 280ish So if your banging them out there 300+ you should be happy. I play at sea level so I'm taking it most of you live in Denver.

I do once in while hit one 300 plus Don't you just those balls that hit the cart path.
[/quote]

wow, I'd get a new fitter. Rolling out to only 280 with over 110 SS is some pretty low numbers. I understand 110 mph = ~300 yards with appropriate ball and driver

[BTP]

[quote name='Wknd_Warrior' timestamp='1341019586' post='5192530']
[quote name='Golf Gods' timestamp='1340991642' post='5190290']
I'm a 3 handicap SS between 115 to 117 I've been fitted for my drivers launch angle etc. My average carry/ roll out is around 270 to 280ish So if your banging them out there 300+ you should be happy. I play at sea level so I'm taking it most of you live in Denver.

I do once in while hit one 300 plus Don't you just those balls that hit the cart path.
[/quote]

wow, I'd get a new fitter. Rolling out to only 280 with over 110 SS is some pretty low numbers. I understand 110 mph = ~300 yards with appropriate ball and driver
[/quote]

Not necessarily. The smash factor and mainly ball speed dictate overall distance. If you swing fast but aren't in the right slot, hitting it over 300yrds is not likely.

@Wknd_Warrior: With a ss like that, you should be able to hit it over 300. Maybe not consistently, but certainly enough times to register on a monitor.
I had a fitting over a year ago, but with the driver I was bombing out drives and even averaged 300.1 yards with an Oban prototype shaft with an avg. ss of 107mph.
I recall the fitter telling me my smash factor was perfect and my ball speed, although I cannot recall exactly, was above 155 each swing. Striking the ball on the center of the face makes a difference too even though today's drivers are awfully forgiving.

I'm not a big guy by any means and people would not believe just by looking at me that I can hit it far. All I can tell you is timing your body's movements and getting everything to meet at the ball (good body mechanics) makes a world of a difference. It starts with a solid foundation in the legs and core and being able to properly transfer all that energy to one spot @ the moment the club head strikes the ball. Sorry for the rant, but just ss does not mean the ball will go far.

[northgolf]

[quote name='BTP' timestamp='1341232674' post='5203044'] Sorry for the rant, but just ss does not mean the ball will go far.
[/quote]

Given the ball is hit with the sweet spot of the club face with the proper angle of attack and face direction, ss does determine distance. It is simple physics.

[Rosco1216]

Interesting discussion here...all things being constant, ball speed and spin rate are the variables that affect distance the most. Mid to upper 170's ball speed with a spin rate of 2000 should carry the ball about 320 and total of 345-350. Using same percentages a 105 swingspeed should potentially carry the ball 270 with a smash factor of 1.45 and optimum spin.

[kg92lefty]

Input your numbers here and brace for a reality check.


http://www.flightscope.com/index.php/Technology-Explained/trajectory-optimizer.html


I also like that people leave out altitude in these discussions.

[northgolf]

[quote name='Rosco1216' timestamp='1341256429' post='5205412']
Interesting discussion here...all things being constant, ball speed and spin rate are the variables that affect distance the most. Mid to upper 170's ball speed with a spin rate of 2000 should carry the ball about 320 and total of 345-350. Using same percentages a 105 swingspeed should potentially carry the ball 270 with a smash factor of 1.45 and optimum spin.
[/quote]

a 105 swing speed with a smash factor of 1.48 gets you 155 for ball speed. Optimum spin of 2000 with a launch angle of 17 degrees gets you 267 yards for carry at sea level. At least that's the best I can do with that flightscope optimizer link.

[Rosco1216]

[quote name='northgolf' timestamp='1341261396' post='5205936']
[quote name='Rosco1216' timestamp='1341256429' post='5205412']
Interesting discussion here...all things being constant, ball speed and spin rate are the variables that affect distance the most. Mid to upper 170's ball speed with a spin rate of 2000 should carry the ball about 320 and total of 345-350. Using same percentages a 105 swingspeed should potentially carry the ball 270 with a smash factor of 1.45 and optimum spin.
[/quote]

a 105 swing speed with a smash factor of 1.48 gets you 155 for ball speed. Optimum spin of 3000 with a launch angle of 17 degrees gets you 261 yards for carry at sea level. At least that's the best I can do with that flightscope optimizer link.
[/quote]

Optimum spin of 3000 and 17 degree launch is very high. I have a hard time believing that is optimal on that flightscope thing.

[northgolf]

[quote name='Rosco1216' timestamp='1341261737' post='5205966']
[quote name='northgolf' timestamp='1341261396' post='5205936']
[quote name='Rosco1216' timestamp='1341256429' post='5205412']
Interesting discussion here...all things being constant, ball speed and spin rate are the variables that affect distance the most. Mid to upper 170's ball speed with a spin rate of 2000 should carry the ball about 320 and total of 345-350. Using same percentages a 105 swingspeed should potentially carry the ball 270 with a smash factor of 1.45 and optimum spin.
[/quote]

a 105 swing speed with a smash factor of 1.48 gets you 155 for ball speed. Optimum spin of 3000 with a launch angle of 17 degrees gets you 261 yards for carry at sea level. At least that's the best I can do with that flightscope optimizer link.
[/quote]

Optimum spin of 3000 and 17 degree launch is very high. I have a hard time believing that is optimal on that flightscope thing.
[/quote]

I re ran - 2000 is optimum. I have edited my original post.

[northgolf]

[quote name='Rosco1216' timestamp='1341261737' post='5205966']
[quote name='northgolf' timestamp='1341261396' post='5205936']
[quote name='Rosco1216' timestamp='1341256429' post='5205412']
Interesting discussion here...all things being constant, ball speed and spin rate are the variables that affect distance the most. Mid to upper 170's ball speed with a spin rate of 2000 should carry the ball about 320 and total of 345-350. Using same percentages a 105 swingspeed should potentially carry the ball 270 with a smash factor of 1.45 and optimum spin.
[/quote]

a 105 swing speed with a smash factor of 1.48 gets you 155 for ball speed. Optimum spin of 3000 with a launch angle of 17 degrees gets you 261 yards for carry at sea level. At least that's the best I can do with that flightscope optimizer link.
[/quote]

Optimum spin of 3000 and 17 degree launch is very high. I have a hard time believing that is optimal on that flightscope thing.
[/quote]

I get some strange results with that link. I kept looking for better optimums. The best I could get is 285 yards carry with 1000 rpm's and a 30 degree launch angle. So much for simulations - just how do you get such launch characteristics in real life? I would expect a knuckle ball at 1000 rpm's.

[unlucky]

i have been fitted 2 in the last 2 weeks. Once for a driver only and once for a ball. 2 different LM both SS of 105-108, SR of 2900 to 3700. LA between 11. and 13 and my ideal distance was 270. Carry was 250

[gopherguts]

[quote name='BTP' timestamp='1341232674' post='5203044']
I had a fitting over a year ago, but with the driver I was bombing out drives and [b]even averaged 300.1 yards[/b] with an Oban prototype shaft [b]with an avg. ss of 107mph[/b].
I recall the fitter telling me my smash factor was perfect and my ball speed, although I cannot recall exactly, was above 155 each swing. Striking the ball on the center of the face makes a difference too even though today's drivers are awfully forgiving.
[/quote]

This would seem impossible unless you landed the ball on I-95 (or ANY fairway in Texas).

Firstly I believe the maximum, i.e. "perfect" smash factor is 1.5. I've seen guys carry the ball 290 on a LM and NEVER hit 1.5 smash. About the best I've ever seen is around 1.45 or so.

Secondly, I assume your 300 yard average was carry AND rollout. How far was the carry ? Should be around 260 or so. And were these numbers on a LM or outside ?

TIA

[BTP]

[quote name='gopherguts' timestamp='1341628127' post='5230402']
[quote name='BTP' timestamp='1341232674' post='5203044']
I had a fitting over a year ago, but with the driver I was bombing out drives and [b]even averaged 300.1 yards[/b] with an Oban prototype shaft [b]with an avg. ss of 107mph[/b].
I recall the fitter telling me my smash factor was perfect and my ball speed, although I cannot recall exactly, was above 155 each swing. Striking the ball on the center of the face makes a difference too even though today's drivers are awfully forgiving.
[/quote]

This would seem impossible unless you landed the ball on I-95 (or ANY fairway in Texas).

Firstly I believe the maximum, i.e. "perfect" smash factor is 1.5. I've seen guys carry the ball 290 on a LM and NEVER hit 1.5 smash. About the best I've ever seen is around 1.45 or so.

Secondly, I assume your 300 yard average was carry AND rollout. How far was the carry ? Should be around 260 or so. And were these numbers on a LM or outside ?

TIA
[/quote]

Yes my smash factor was 1.50 nearly even swing. My spin rate was low every swing too @ around 2300 avg. if I recall correctly. And yes my 300yard average was with carry and rollout. I cannot recall the carry and these numbers were on a LM. I've always been a good ball striker so the majority of my strikes are struck in the center of the club face and my spin rates have always been consistently low regardless of the driver I've used. I used a 910D2 for these results with Bridgestone B330S balls

[BTP]

[quote name='northgolf' timestamp='1341254480' post='5205210']
[quote name='BTP' timestamp='1341232674' post='5203044'] Sorry for the rant, but just ss does not mean the ball will go far.
[/quote]

Given the ball is hit with the sweet spot of the club face with the proper angle of attack and face direction, ss does determine distance. It is simple physics.
[/quote]

^ You just reiterated what I was referring to in a different fashion. It is all physics. That's why it is important to drop it in the "right slot." If you have a fast swing speed but do not have the proper angle of attack and face direction and the ball is not stuck in the sweet spot of the club face, then ss would not determine distance would it...

[i]"[b]All I can tell you is timing your body's movements and getting everything to meet at the ball (good body mechanics) makes a world of a difference. It starts with a solid foundation in the legs and core and being able to properly transfer all that energy to one spot @ the moment the club head strikes the ball[/b]."[/i]

[Wknd_Warrior]

those numbers seem about righ to me as well. The couple times I've hit into a LM, solid shots only had to be pushing 110 to get up close to 300. And I tend to spin the ball a bit too much.

[gopherguts]

[quote name='BTP' timestamp='1341691379' post='5233298']
[quote name='gopherguts' timestamp='1341628127' post='5230402']
[quote name='BTP' timestamp='1341232674' post='5203044']
I had a fitting over a year ago, but with the driver I was bombing out drives and [b]even averaged 300.1 yards[/b] with an Oban prototype shaft [b]with an avg. ss of 107mph[/b].
I recall the fitter telling me my smash factor was perfect and my ball speed, although I cannot recall exactly, was above 155 each swing. Striking the ball on the center of the face makes a difference too even though today's drivers are awfully forgiving.
[/quote]

This would seem impossible unless you landed the ball on I-95 (or ANY fairway in Texas).

Firstly I believe the maximum, i.e. "perfect" smash factor is 1.5. I've seen guys carry the ball 290 on a LM and NEVER hit 1.5 smash. About the best I've ever seen is around 1.45 or so.

Secondly, I assume your 300 yard average was carry AND rollout. How far was the carry ? Should be around 260 or so. And were these numbers on a LM or outside ?

TIA
[/quote]

Yes my smash factor was 1.50 nearly even swing. My spin rate was low every swing too @ around 2300 avg. if I recall correctly. And yes my 300yard average was with carry and rollout. I cannot recall the carry and these numbers were on a LM. I've always been a good ball striker so the majority of my strikes are struck in the center of the club face and my spin rates have always been consistently low regardless of the driver I've used. I used a 910D2 for these results with Bridgestone B330S balls
[/quote]

As the flight link given earlier suggests, 107 MPH, 1.5 smash = 260 carry. 40 yards of rollout ? Hmmmmm,,,,, possible for sure.

1.5 smash every swing ? That is some seriously GREAT (AND consistent) ballstriking.

Kudos !!!

[leche]

I honestly think arm strength has a lot to do with how far you can hit it. It's similar to hitting a baseball even though a golf ball has a lot less mass. If you don't have the strength you'll lose some speed at impact so even if you swing 105 you might not be hitting through the ball at that speed.

[northgolf]

[quote name='leche' timestamp='1342499594' post='5290414']
I honestly think arm strength has a lot to do with how far you can hit it. It's similar to hitting a baseball even though a golf ball has a lot less mass. If you don't have the strength you'll lose some speed at impact so even if you swing 105 you might not be hitting through the ball at that speed.
[/quote]

You can think that, but it doesn't make it true.

[leche]

[quote name='northgolf' timestamp='1342535589' post='5291938']
[quote name='leche' timestamp='1342499594' post='5290414']
I honestly think arm strength has a lot to do with how far you can hit it. It's similar to hitting a baseball even though a golf ball has a lot less mass. If you don't have the strength you'll lose some speed at impact so even if you swing 105 you might not be hitting through the ball at that speed.
[/quote]

You can think that, but it doesn't make it true.
[/quote]

Which part? I'm all for learning if you have a good explanation. To me it's similar to hitting out of the rough, but on a smaller scale. Your hands are the connection so your core, legs, etc can be strong enough to swing fast, but it's kind of pointless if you slow down as soon as you hit resistance from the grass because your hands/arms broke down.

[mukster]

Hit some at a simulator earlier this year, trying to get my driver length optimized. My SS has been measured a few times at around 105, and I am now playing an 8.5* driver and this has lower my high ball flight and given me more roll. I would say I get average 260 when I am hitting well, sometimes further and can certainly get them out further when the conditions are right, especially when I play on hard, dry fairways.
Attached is some info from one of my driver shots. I NEVER try to carry any more than 230 yards, unless there is a wind behind me or I am hitting off an elevated tee. Just not a percentage shot for me. Wouldn't mind if I could find someone with Trackman out here to give me a better idea, not always comfortable swinging indoors on those sims.
Now if I could only do straight more often

[gopherguts]

[quote name='leche' timestamp='1342499594' post='5290414']
I honestly think arm strength has a lot to do with how far you can hit it. It's similar to hitting a baseball even though a golf ball has a lot less mass. If you don't have the strength you'll lose some speed at impact so even [b]if you swing 105 you might not be hitting through the ball at that speed.[/b]
[/quote]

Huh ?

[Rosco1216]

[quote name='mukster' timestamp='1342543883' post='5292952']
Hit some at a simulator earlier this year, trying to get my driver length optimized. My SS has been measured a few times at around 105, and I am now playing an 8.5* driver and this has lower my high ball flight and given me more roll. I would say I get average 260 when I am hitting well, sometimes further and can certainly get them out further when the conditions are right, especially when I play on hard, dry fairways.
Attached is some info from one of my driver shots. I NEVER try to carry any more than 230 yards, unless there is a wind behind me or I am hitting off an elevated tee. Just not a percentage shot for me. Wouldn't mind if I could find someone with Trackman out here to give me a better idea, not always comfortable swinging indoors on those sims.
Now if I could only do straight more often
[/quote]

Launch way to low and losing distance.

[northgolf]

[quote name='leche' timestamp='1342541025' post='5292610']

Which part? I'm all for learning if you have a good explanation. To me it's similar to hitting out of the rough, but on a smaller scale. Your hands are the connection so your core, legs, etc can be strong enough to swing fast, but it's kind of pointless if you slow down as soon as you hit resistance from the grass because your hands/arms broke down.
[/quote]

The shaft is flexible, the ball has left the face by the time any additional acceleration from the hands could be applied. Regardless, it is good to feel like you are accelerating through the ball because then you are at least not decelerating too much when you hit the ball.

[BTP]

Ya 5.5 launch is way too low. Idk how the monitor even records your carry to be nearly 250 at that low of launch.
@ my fitting, the fitter told me my launch is too low @ 11-12 and told me a launch of 15 is where you want to be consistently. My new driver combo provides this for me. An 8.5* driver too? I think you'd be better off at 10.5*. You can still launch it low with a higher degree driver. Just choke down on the grip for control

[QEight]

[quote name='BTP' timestamp='1342545607' post='5293206']
Ya 5.5 launch is way too low. Idk how the monitor even records your carry to be nearly 250 at that low of launch.
@ my fitting, the fitter told me my launch is too low @ 11-12 and told me a launch of 15 is where you want to be consistently. My new driver combo provides this for me. An 8.5* driver too? I think you'd be better off at 10.5*. You can still launch it low with a higher degree driver. Just choke down on the grip for control
[/quote]

Probably hitting a bit down, as the spin is also little bit high (3100).

[mukster]

Thanks for the info. I do not believe my launch was that low every swing, as even with my 8.5* I hit a high ball. Hitting in a simulator also never feels free and natural. This is another picture, still low at 7.5, but better. I used to play a 10* driver, but improved my "traj" and distance switching to a lower lofted driver. (sorry, pic is rotated, just rotate head for better visual )

[BTP]

[quote name='mukster' timestamp='1342552280' post='5293922']
Thanks for the info. I do not believe my launch was that low every swing, as even with my 8.5* I hit a high ball. Hitting in a simulator also never feels free and natural. This is another picture, still low at 7.5, but better. I used to play a 10* driver, but improved my "traj" and distance switching to a lower lofted driver. (sorry, pic is rotated, just rotate head for better visual )
[/quote]

Your ball speed decreased and your spin rate increased with that swing even though you got your launch up a bit. Your launch as you mentioned is still too low. I suppose if you can control it better with a lower degreed driver, by all means. But if you ever have to carry hazards, I don't think you have the right swing let alone equipment to do so.

Just a thought, but maybe slow down your swing speed and compare the results in launch, spin rate, and ball speed. I bet that those numbers would improve. A higher swing speed is great, but only if you can register the proper launch, low/moderate spin rate, and good ball speed.