Combining Launch Parameters for Distance and Accuracy
Ball velocity, launch angle and backspin are critical parameters that directly affect a golfer’s distance and accuracy. These three factors can sometimes be a hindrance to fitting just as they can be helpful. The solution for a golfer is often a combination of all these launch parameters, but determining how much of one and how much of another can be a tough question for clubmakers.
The answers depend on what the golfer wants to achieve in terms of distance versus accuracy. Since most golfers want both distance AND accuracy, the answers become even more difficult because at the time of impact certain launch parameters for distance are in opposition to the optimal parameters for accuracy. For maximum distance, the golfer needs to achieve a combination of launch parameters that delivers the BEST launch angle providing less backspin for golfers over 105 mph driver swing speed and more backspin for golfers with under a 105 mph swing speed, while simultaneously reaching the highest ball velocity. And, as Shakespeare might say — therein, lies the rub.
It is easy to increase launch angle by increasing loft, moving to a more rearward center of gravity (CG) location in the club head, or using a shaft with a softer overall flex/softer flex tip section. But these changes on their own also bring a decrease in the ball velocity and an increase in backspin. So the net result could be a loss of distance if the drop in ball velocity, plus backspin change, cancels out the improvement effect of the launch angle change. Fortunately, extensive testing in this area has determined that we need not worry too much about this. As loft increases, the ball velocity does decrease, but the decrease is a much lower increment of change and thus has much less effect. Also, it is true that as loft increases, so too does the amount of backspin increase. The spin increase for each degree of loft increase is about 1000 rpm or more. Therefore, clubmakers are in a luxurious position of knowing that if they analyze and make the right decision about a golfer’s launch angle, real distance improvement can definitely follow.
Fortunately, launch angle is the easiest impact parameter for clubmakers to change, and loft is the most effective way to change launch angle. Proper shaft flex — more specifically, the proper center and tip section flexibility within the entire flex of the shaft — is the next most effective way to alter launch angle. However, shafts that CLAIM they bring about a launch angle change and shafts that actually PROVIDE change are two different things making this option all too often a much less effective method of bringing about significant change. Primarily because too few shafts are tested by independent bodies and we have to take the shaft manufacturers word for this in most cases, thus making reliable information hard to come by. In addition, launch angle changes that come from a shaft are normally a little subtler than are the changes that come from different loft. Also, the club head’s center of gravity plays a role, but like the shaft, this is also more of a subtle effect that only becomes visible to the eye when the CG change from the old head to the new head is substantial. So the conclusion would have to be that loft, with some attention to the shaft, will become the most predominant means by which clubmakers can change launch angle. | 
