Launch Your Drives Longer Distances

GolfWRX · May 3, 2005

Courtesy of ACCRAgolf.com

Launch Your Drives Longer Distances

Longer and straighter- every golfer's quest! Any time you ask a golfer what they are striving for off the tee, they will respond, “I want to hit the ball farther and straighter.” That's pretty much a given. Tour Players every week test new drivers with different shafts in hopes of finding the combination that will give them long, accurate drives. You will hear them mention terms like launch angle and ball spin. They are searching for a ball flight that fits them perfectly. So what can ‘the rest of us’ do to achieve longer and straighter drives?

Optimizing launch conditions will maximize carry-distance, roll and control. To look at launch conditions such as ball speed, launch angle and ball spin we use a Ball Flight Monitor. But in reality you as a golfer are your own launch monitor. Every time you hit a golf shot, you evaluate impact and ball flight. Is it too low, too high, too far left or too far right? And then you try to achieve the correct ball flight on the next shot. Every golfer’s launch conditions are unique- it's important to remember that we are all individuals and that we all swing the club differently.

In the following segments, we will discuss Launch Angle, Ball Speed and Ball Spin. Then, you can analyze your equipment - driver loft, driver length, shaft flex, shaft characteristics and golf ball type to see how you can launch your drives longer.

Launch Angle

Launch Angle is the angle at which the ball takes off just after impact. Your goal in launching your drives further is a high launch angle with the proper amount of ball spin. The optimum launch angle is around 12 degrees (+/- 1 degree). Slower swing speeds will need a higher launch angle. And higher swing speeds can afford a lower launch angle. A minor setup adjustment that will initially help with launch angle is teeing the ball higher and moving it forward in the stance. More off the target-side front foot! This will help make contact with the ball on the upswing producing a higher launch. A major influence over launch angle is the loft of the driver. Swing speed can be used as a starting point to choose the proper loft for the driver but it also depends on the angle of attack. Each golfer should choose proper loft to fit their swing speed and angle of attack to improve the launch angle. Slower swing speeds will not be able to generate the ball speed needed to get any carry distance. This is one reason a great deal of golfers have more success off the tee with a 3-wood instead of a driver. A 3-wood has enough loft to get the ball in the air and provides a nice boost of confidence. Here are some guidelines in choosing driver loft:

• 60 to 70 mph = 12-14 degrees
• 70 to 80 mph = 11-13 degrees
• 80 to 90 mph = 10-12 degrees
• 90 to 100 mph = 9-11 degrees
• 100 mph + = 8-10 degrees

The design of the shaft can also help a golfer achieve their desired launch angle. A more flexible tip section will help increase launch angle and therefore increase carry distance. A stronger stable tip section will produce a lower more penetrating ball flight. Faster swing speed golfers tend to lose control with a flexible tip shaft. They accelerate such that the shaft lags behind and creates too low a launch angle. Stronger golfers perform better with consistent, stable shafts like the ACCRA SE or ACCRA SC because the shaft keeps up with their hands through impact.

The ACCRA Tour shafts feature designs with different characteristics to fit golfers of all types. The ACCRA 55 is a superb lightweight shaft with a stable tip section for a penetrating ball flight; while the ACCRA 65 is a unique lightweight (counter-balanced and butt stable) shaft with a more flexible tip section which increases ball speed and promotes a "natural draw bias" ball flight. The ACCRA 75 is a very stable shaft from butt to tip section for the golfer who wants the shaft to stay right with him. To wrap up this segment, remember these points:

• Have you swing speed checked
• Swing speed is the place to start for choosing proper loft
• Angle of attack can influence launch angle
• Shaft characteristics can help achieve desired launch angle

Ball Speed

Ball Speed is a measurement of how fast the ball is traveling just after impact. Obviously, every golfer is trying to generate as much ball speed as possible. It is relative to the speed in which a golfer can swing a driver and how well they can hit the sweet spot or make solid contact. If golfer #1 swings all out and generates club speed of 100 mph but only transfers that energy into 120 mph ball speed, then he is not hitting the ball efficiently. Whereas, golfer #2 swings a driver at 90-95 mph and achieving ball speeds of 130-135 mph then he is getting more with less effort. Being more efficient! The first golfer needs to evaluate a few things so he can generate more ball speed. In our example, golfer #1 should evaluate his shaft flex, shaft weight and driver length. Choosing or being fit with the correct shaft flex is very important. The correct flex will help deliver the club head through impact most efficiently, and once again help with solid contact and generating more ball speed. Generally, a lighter shaft will help increase club speed because it makes the overall weight of the club lighter. Swing speed again is the place to start in choosing the correct flex. Each golfer should use as light and flexible a shaft as possible that he or she can control. Some general guidelines for shaft flex and swing speed are as follows:

• 60 - 70 mph = L flex
• 70 - 80 mph = A flex
• 80 - 90 mph = R flex
• 90 - 100 mph = S flex
• 100 mph + = X flex

Tempo and load on the shaft should also be considered when choosing shaft flex. A smooth-swinger can handle a softer flex shaft. The hard or quick swinger (a hitter more than swinger) may have to use a stronger flex for better results. If you can swing the driver fast enough but are not getting decent carry results, then a drop in shaft flex (going with a softer flex) may help you.

Another factor in improving ball speed is the length of the driver. A longer driver can increase club head speed, therefore increasing ball speed. But as the driver gets longer, it becomes harder to hit the sweet spot. Unfortunately, there is no set length for a driver. Club manufacturers have been making drivers longer over the past few years because shafts have been getting lighter. You want to play with as long shaft as possible that will allow you to make solid contact most often. Experimenting with different length drivers will help in finding the optimum length. Start with a driver 47 to 48 inches long and test-drive it. And then keep cutting a little off the butt end (1/2 inch at a time) until you find the length where you can generate the most club head speed and hit the center of the clubface the most often. To review ball speed, remember these points:

• Ball speed is relative to club head speed
• Correct shaft flex is most important in delivering maximum distance and control
• Play with as light and flexible a shaft as possible that you can control
• Play with as long a shaft as possible that will allow you the most solid contact

We are all constantly trying to improve our golf swings. So we must continue work on grip, stance, posture, swing path and angle-of-attack because these will help with overall consistency. PGA Professionals all over the country are dedicated to making the game more enjoyable. They stress sound fundamentals to make the swing as simple as possible, because a simple swing is very efficient. This is why Tour Professionals make it look so easy. They are striving for a simple swing so they do not have to swing all out. They achieve their best results when they swing at 80 percent of their top swing speed. A smoother, more fluid swing will help you make more solid contact and generate more ball speed.

Ball Spin

Ball Spin is the most intriguing factor in launch conditions. For years, the top players in the world played with the softest, highest spinning balls available. This trend has changed. Tour players have gone to ball companies and had them make balls that spin less off the driver, less off the short irons- while still feeling soft around the greens. This is all well and good for these guys! The typical tour player is bigger, stronger and more physically fit than ever before. The balls that the tour players are using will not fit the average golfer because the average golfer cannot generate enough club speed and ball speed to keep these balls in the air. So the ball you choose when you go out to play will have a huge affect on launching your drives longer.

What type of ball is the average golfer (the golfer that plays once per week or month) likely to play with? There is a good chance that his or her choice is based on economics. (The most affordable one!) This ball is probably a two-piece distance ball that does not spin very much. What happens if our average golfer cannot generate a lot of club speed or does not have enough loft on his or her driver? A golf ball that does not spin enough for the average golfer will fall out of the air or just nose-dive like a dead duck. And even if you have been fit with the correct driver and you choose the wrong ball, you will be missing out on your maximum distance.

Titleist has done extensive research on fitting golf balls. Golfers with lower ball speeds and launch angles need more loft and a ball that spins more to create the lift needed to carry the ball. Even golfers with swing speeds approaching 100 mph may need a ball that spins significantly to keep the ball airborne. And as I mentioned earlier, Tour players are having balls designed to spin less off the driver and they have the luxury of trying drivers designed to launch higher and spin the ball less or vice versa. But they have enough ball speed to keep the ball in the air. So when you go to buy golf balls to play a round, think about what type of ball may benefit you more. Try a softer ball if you cannot generate a lot of ball speed! If your ball speed is up there then you can afford a ball that spins less.

And, of course, the shaft plays an important role in ball spin. Being fit with the correct shaft flex is the most important part of maximizing your distance. Typically, a heavier shaft will help with control. Shaft characteristics such as flex point, torque and tip stability can help reduce ball spin or create ball spin. For the golfer with a high launch angle and plenty of ball speed, a shaft with a strong tip section and a high flex point will reduce the spin and keep the ball from ballooning. We have developed the ACCRA Tour shafts to fit golfers of all types. The ACCRA Tour 70 features a stable design from tip to butt with a higher flex point for controlled ball spin and penetrating launch. The ACCRA Tour 50 is design to be lightweight with a softer tip section yet fairly low torque offer a high launch and reduced spin. The ACCRA Tour 60 has slightly less torque than the “50” for those requiring more stability, but the low torque, soft tip technology remains. Offering the player with above average swing speeds a more flexible tip (than the “70”) to launch the ball higher and keep ball spin under control.

• Slower ball speed needs more ball spin to get lift and carry
• High flex point shaft can help reduce spin for higher swing speed golfers
• A flexible tip section or higher torque shaft can help increase spin

I hope you have enjoyed these thoughts on Launch Conditions. I know you have enough to think about while you are playing golf- like trying to avoid all the rough, sand traps and water hazards isn’t enough! Now you can contemplate your launch angle, ball spin and ball speed. Just do it before you get to the golf course.

Golfchicago · May 3, 2005

Thanks for the insight

Hifade · May 3, 2005

How good is this info? This is the best. People would be miles ahead if they just take a moment to read this. AWESOME post.

Lowpro · May 26, 2005

the acra line is very solid and the tour series does promite a higher flight that flattens out...

simmoboy · June 3, 2005

that is some great info. thanks alot for it.

JHR · October 12, 2005

thanks for this information, everyday i learn something new from this site. it tells me that i am making the right selections.

GLL · January 31, 2006

Very interesting, thanks.

ifixclubs · February 2, 2006

way to go gavin and dave! nice to finally see you guys on this site! hope this will finally inform the guys that are on here on how great your guy's shafts are!!!!! best of luck this year!!!

Dyno · February 16, 2006

Gawain and Dave rock. Aside from being just good human beings, they truely make high end product for the masses. I've tried many of the high end tour only Speeders but the SC65 crushed them all.