Confused by all the numbers on your launch monitor screen? Whether you’re using a golf simulator, practising on a Trackman, or checking your swing on a Garmin R10 or Mevo, understanding launch monitor data is key to improving your game. This guide breaks down exactly how to interpret the numbers, what each metric means, and how it can impact your golf swing.
If you’ve been using a golf launch monitor but aren’t sure what terms like smash factor, club path, or spin rate mean—or how they affect your shots—this article will help you make sense of the data. We’ll cover key data points, what they tell you about your swing, and how to use them to improve your golf game.
How Does a Launch Monitor Work in Golf?
A launch monitor is a device that captures ball data and club data at the moment of impact. It uses radar or high-speed cameras to track the golf ball as it leaves the club face and travels through the air. Some popular models include Trackman, Garmin R10, and Mevo.
These tools measure how fast the ball moves (ball speed), how high it launches (launch angle), and even how it spins in the air. This beginner’s guide is meant to help you understand how launch monitors need accurate data to give meaningful results, making it important to monitor your numbers during practice.
What is Ball Speed and Why Is It Important?
Ball speed is the velocity of the golf ball immediately after it is struck. It’s one of the most important numbers to track because it has a direct impact on carry distance and total distance.
Ball speed is heavily influenced by how clean your contact with the ball is and how fast the clubhead speed is at impact. To increase ball speed, you can work on improving your smash factor and hitting the centre of the club face.
What Does Smash Factor Tell You?
The smash factor is the ratio of ball speed to clubhead speed. You get it by dividing the ball speed by the speed of the club at impact. A higher smash factor means you’re transferring more energy from the golf club to the golf ball.
For example, if your clubhead speed is 100 mph and your ball speed is 150 mph, your smash factor is 1.5. That’s considered excellent, especially with a driver. If the number is low, you might be missing the sweet spot or not striking the ball efficiently.
What is Launch Angle and How is it Measured?
Launch angle is the angle at which the golf ball takes off after impact and is measured in degrees. A higher launch angle helps the ball stay in the air longer, increasing carry distance.
This number is affected by the loft of the club, the ball position, and your angle of attack. For drivers, a high launch angle with a low spin rate generally leads to maximum distance. For irons, the launch angle helps control trajectory and stopping power.
What is the Angle of Attack and Why Does It Matter?
The angle of attack (or attack angle) refers to the vertical direction your clubhead is moving at the moment it strikes the ball—either upward (positive number) or downward (negative number).
- A positive attack angle means the club is moving up through impact, which is ideal for drivers.
- A negative number means a downward angle, more common and desirable with irons.
Understanding your attack angle helps you optimize launch angle, spin rate, and carry distance for different clubs.
How Do You Read Club Path and Face Angle?
Club path describes the direction your club is moving relative to the target line. It can be in-to-out, out-to-in, or straight.
- A club path that is in-to-out for a right-handed golfer usually results in a draw.
- An out-to-in path leads to a fade or slice.
Face angle tells you where the clubface is pointing at impact—left, right, or square to the target line. These two metrics together determine your shot shape and whether your ball flies right of the target or left.
What is Spin Rate and Why Is It Important?
Spin rate is how fast the golf ball is spinning, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).
- Too much spin can cause the ball to balloon and lose distance.
- Too little spin can make it hard to control the ball on the green.
Spin numbers are especially important for wedge play and approach shots, but also help with optimizing driver performance for longer, straighter shots.
What Is the Low Point in a Golf Swing?
The low point is the bottom of your swing arc. Ideally, it occurs just after you strike the ball—especially with irons—so you compress the ball properly and get the most out of your shot.
If the low point is behind the ball, you’re likely to hit it fat. Knowing your low point helps you understand whether you’re getting clean contact and striking the ball at the right moment in your swing.
How Does Swing Speed Compare to Clubhead Speed?
Swing speed and clubhead speed are often used interchangeably, but there’s a slight difference.
- Swing speed refers to how fast you’re swinging the club overall.
- Clubhead speed measures how fast the actual clubhead is moving right before impact.
Both metrics affect how fast the ball travels. Higher speeds can lead to more distance—but only if you’re also making solid contact with the centre of the club face.
What is Ball Flight Data and Why Should You Care?
Ball flight data includes key metrics like horizontal launch, vertical launch, spin axis, and total distance. These numbers tell you how the ball travels through the air.
- Horizontal launch shows whether the ball starts right off the target line or left.
- The spin axis affects side spin and curvature—whether the ball slices or draws.
This ball data combined with club path and face angle gives you a complete picture of your shot, helping you correct bad habits and improve your golf.
Can You Use a Launch Monitor with a Home Simulator?
Absolutely. Many golf enthusiasts set up a home golf simulator with a portable launch monitor like the Garmin R10 or Mevo. These setups allow you to track launch monitor data without going to the driving range.
A home simulator is perfect for year-round practice, letting you read the data, make adjustments, and track progress over time. You can even simulate famous courses and analyze every golf swing you take.
Final Thoughts
Understanding launch monitor data is the difference between guessing and knowing what’s happening in your golf game. From beginners to scratch players, interpreting metrics like launch angle, spin rate, club path, and smash factor can lead to faster improvement and more consistent shots.
