Alright, let me tell you about my little experiment with tracking my ball speed during my golf rounds. I’ve been trying to get a better handle on my game, and I thought, “Why not dive into the numbers?”
So, I started by grabbing one of those launch monitors. It’s a pretty neat gadget that you set up behind the ball, and it spits out all sorts of data after each swing. I took it to the driving range a few times to get comfortable with it.
- First couple of sessions, I was all over the place. I mean, my ball speed was jumping around like crazy. I was trying to smash the ball as hard as I could and it made me feel more tired than I expected. But hey, it was fun seeing those numbers fly.
- After a while, I started to get a more consistent feel for my swing. I focused more on a smooth, controlled motion rather than just raw power. And guess what? My ball speed actually started to improve!
I decided to take it to the course and track my stats during actual rounds. It was a bit of a hassle lugging that thing around, but I was committed. Over a few weeks, I played maybe five or six rounds with the monitor in tow.
Here’s where it gets interesting. I noticed that my average ball speed on the course was a bit lower than at the range. I guess the pressure of actually playing a round had something to do with it. But I also realized that my accuracy was better when I wasn’t swinging for the fences.
What did I get out of it?
Well, I learned that just trying to crush the ball isn’t always the best strategy. Finding that sweet spot between power and control is key. My average ball speed ended up being around the 150 mph mark. It’s not going to break any records, but I realized that it is enough for me to play a decent round if I keep it on the fairway. I figured out the optimal launch angle for my swing was around 12 degrees. I recorded my longest carry at about 280 yards, and my longest total distance was about 305 yards.
I also started paying more attention to my body. I realized I needed to work on my leg and core strength to get more power without sacrificing control. So, I hit the gym a couple of times a week and focused on those areas. I also tried to extend my hand path and flatten my lead wrist angle.
All in all, it was a cool experience. I’ve got a much better understanding of my game now, and I’m still working on improving. It’s not just about the numbers, but they sure do help paint a clearer picture of what’s going on with your swing.
