Launch data
Which launch monitor numbers matter for a fitting
Club speed matters most, because it sets ELDRICK's flex, shaft weight and loft bands; after that peak height, landing angle and spin decide loft, and smash factor (ball speed ÷ club speed) tells you how well you struck it. A good driver smash factor is 1.45 or better, and a good iron smash factor is 1.33 or better.
| Driver speed | Peak height | Landing angle | Spin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110+ mph | 90-110 ft | 35-40° | 1,900-2,500 rpm |
| 100-109 mph | 85-105 ft | 35-40° | 1,950-2,550 rpm |
| 90-99 mph | 80-100 ft | 35-40° | 2,000-2,600 rpm |
| 80-89 mph | 75-95 ft | 34-40° | 2,100-2,700 rpm |
| 70-79 mph | 70-90 ft | 33-40° | 2,200-2,800 rpm |
| Under 70 mph | 60-80 ft | 32-38° | 2,300-3,000 rpm |
| 7-iron speed | Peak height | Landing angle | Spin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100+ mph | 90-110 ft | 47-52° | 6,000-7,000 rpm |
| 95-99 mph | 85-105 ft | 46-51° | 6,000-7,000 rpm |
| 90-95 mph | 85-105 ft | 46-51° | 5,800-6,800 rpm |
| 85-90 mph | 80-100 ft | 45-50° | 5,600-6,600 rpm |
| 80-85 mph | 80-100 ft | 45-50° | 5,500-6,500 rpm |
| 75-79 mph | 75-95 ft | 44-49° | 5,300-6,300 rpm |
| 70-75 mph | 75-95 ft | 42-47° | 5,200-6,200 rpm |
| 60-69 mph | 70-90 ft | 41-46° | 5,000-6,000 rpm |
| Under 60 mph | 65-85 ft | 40-45° | 4,800-5,800 rpm |
The order ELDRICK reads them in
Club speed comes first. It decides the flex, shaft weight, swing weight and loft bands before anything else is read. Peak height and landing angle come next and drive loft. If they're missing, launch angle stands in. Spin above your band's limit drops loft and can point to a low-spin head.
Face angle and club path decide the head and weight setting, through face-to-path. Attack angle decides wedge bounce. Carry calibrates gapping.
Smash factor grades the strike
Smash factor is ball speed divided by club speed. ELDRICK grades a driver at 1.45 or better as good, 1.40 to 1.44 as fair and 1.39 or lower as poor; for irons the lines are 1.33 and 1.28. In ELDRICK driver fittings the median smash factor is 1.45 from 90 mph up.
Golfers don't always have every number. Of 18,300+ ELDRICK driver fittings, 91% included launch angle, 85% ball speed, 65% spin, 41% peak height and 24% landing angle. Speed alone is enough to start.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good smash factor with a driver?
1.45 or better in ELDRICK's grading; 1.40 to 1.44 is fair. The median in ELDRICK driver fittings at 90 mph and up is 1.45.
What should my driver peak height be?
It depends on speed: 80-100 ft at 90-99 mph, 90-110 ft at 110 mph and up, 60-80 ft under 70 mph, in ELDRICK's targets.
What 7-iron spin rate is good?
ELDRICK's target runs from 4,800-5,800 rpm under 60 mph 7-iron speed to 6,000-7,000 rpm at 95 mph and up.
What's the most important launch monitor number?
Club speed. It sets ELDRICK's flex, shaft weight and loft bands.