We’re going to breakdown a recent study that is pretty relevant for all of us because increasing driving distance by 20 yards lowers scores by 0.7 strokes!

We’ve all probably heard that we’re looking for high launch and low spin…

BUT there are plenty examples of great golfers who don’t stick with that commonly understood best practice.

In this study by combining an impulse momentum model and a trajectory model, they were able to determine practical driver launch and spin recommendations for golfers with different angles of attack and ball speeds.

Optimal spin rate is primarily driven by a golfer’s angle of attack.

Here’s what they found…

1. There is no one-size-fits-all solution: Contrary to popular belief, high launch and low spin may not be ideal for everyone.
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   Optimal launch and spin conditions depend on individual factors such as angle of attack and ball speed.
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2. Angle of attack drives optimal spin rate: The study shows that a golfer’s angle of attack primarily determines the optimal spin rate.
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   For example, low launch and high spin is the optimal solution for golfers with negative angles of attack.
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3. Playing conditions matter: Further refinement of the recommended optimal launch and spin depends on the golfer’s playing conditions, such as temperature, altitude, fairway firmness, and carry versus total distance preference.
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What should you do about this?

1. What is your average angle of attack and ball speed?
2. Line them up with this study and use the above chart
3. Test and adjust your driver to try and land in optimal ranges.
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Really interesting insights here you might not be familiar with yet!

Curious what you find out when comparing your data to this study. Let us know!
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You can find the full abstract over on the Golf Science website here: “DETERMINING OPTIMAL LAUNCH AND SPIN TO MAXIMIZE DRIVER DISTANCE” by Chris Broadie, Erik Henrikson

The post Dialing in the your best driver launch and spin appeared first on Golf Science Lab.

If you struggle with putting and never can find the practice it’s probably time you get a putting green you can use at home so you can dial in your stroke and speed control.

​1- Distance control has been the biggest improvement!

Wasn’t expecting this from indoor putting practice but it’s easy to practice and the gains are noticeable.

Spent tons of time playing games of stopping the ball on specific targets and playing games against friends when they pop by to hang out.
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​2 – Having a game is essential vs just mindless putting.

Being able to have different targets and visuals is a GAME CHANGER.
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​3/4 – Understanding distances is really useful.

Knowing what a 10 footer vs 6 footer is matters because expectations drastically change.
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​4/4 – Changing aim. and going from side-by-side a huge deal.

Love that it’s not just always hitting putts right down the middle and I can visually change the look of the put.

This keeps me out of mind numbing useless practice and keeps each shot looking and feeling different.
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​Wellputt is the brand of what I’ve been using lately.
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Here’s a discount you all can use to get a better deal  AFF15_GSLAB​

The post 4 things I’ve learned from getting a new indoor putting mat appeared first on Golf Science Lab.

Golfers, we can be a curious lot.

We’ll pay $400-$500 to buy a new driver but won’t pay a fourth of that to have new grips put on our existing clubs.

Think about it. The only contact our body makes with the club is the hands on the grip. Summertime is coming and for most parts of the U.S, heat and humidity are part of the package. Such conditions exacerbate a slick, worn grip or one that’s not as tacky as it once was.

This recent study confirms the notion.

A group of 18 right handed male golfers (age 24-59) hit shots with three different 7-irons.

Each had the same shaft flex and clubhead but one had a new grip while two had been ‘cooked’ by a UV light, duplicating the effect the sun has on a grip.

Ball speed dropped 1.3 miles per hour when the players used the old grips, compared to the new ones, translating to two yards less of carry.

The shots weren’t as straight either.

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​“The face impact location for the UV2 tested grip had a 25% increase in dispersion in the x-axis compared to the new grip.

This demonstrates the possible slippage or rotation of the grip in the players hands during their swing.

Eighty nine percent (89%) of the participants felt the new grip was secure to very secure and not at all to somewhat worn or slick.

Whereas for the UV2 tested grip, 72% said the grip felt not at all to somewhat secure, and 56% said the grip felt fairly to very worn or slick.”

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So, do yourself a favor and inspect your grips. Clean them with a towel and warm water, for starters. If they don’t feel tacky afterward, you see physical abrasion wear marks or you can’t remember the last time your clubs were regripped, it’s time to find a friendly club repair shop.

If you’re the DIY type, it’s a simple process that only requires a simple clamp or vice on your workbench.

The golfer who plays once a week should change his grips once a year – at the very minimum.

On a similar note, I heard another good suggestion on a podcast recently. Never regrip your wedges. By the time the grip is worn, so are the grooves. But that’s a story for a different day.
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You can find the full abstract over on the Golf Science website here: WORN GRIPS VS. NEW GRIPS Sara F. Bryant​

The post 🔬 Research Rundown: Worn Grips vs. New Grips appeared first on Golf Science Lab.

Check out pricing and info here https://bit.ly/rapsodomlm2pro

In this video, we’ll be taking a look at the new Rapsodo MLM 2 PRO golf launch monitor. This device is perfect for indoor use, and comes with a lot of features that make it a great choice for golfers.

We’ll be giving you our first impressions of the Rapsodo MLM 2 PRO golf launch monitor, and telling you all about the features that make it such a great choice for indoor golfers.

If you’re looking for a golf launch monitor that will make your game easier, then be sure to check out the Rapsodo MLM 2 PRO!

ALL THE RAPSODO MLM2PRO FEATURES:

• Dual camera function and video recording
• Powered with Doppler Radar Technology
• With Video Analysis, Data Visualization, and more metrics
• Swing vision feature for capturing multiple angles of each swing when paired with a phone or tablet
• Access to virtual driving ranges and 30K+ virtual golf courses
• Compatible with E6 Connect and other golf simulation platforms
• Offers four-speed slow-motion replay, club-fitting performance charts, and virtual competitions and games
• Increased compatibility with Android phones

The post Rapsodo MLM 2 PRO – Practical Indoor set up appeared first on Golf Science Lab.

The guys at Ping have a great study that some real insight on the impact of water on golf balls.

I’m paying attention to this data and writing it down for the next time I have to tee it up in the rain or on a wet golf course.

Breakdown of the Study:

1. Five elite golfers, with handicaps ranging from +3 to 2 hit shots with 9-degree PING G400 drivers.
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2. After warming up, each golfer hit 10 shots – 5 with a dry ball and 5 with a soaked ball, alternating between the two.
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3. All shots were aimed at a target in full swing and were taken over two sunny days with minimal wind and temperatures hovering between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
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4. The test operator drenched the golf ball before each shot under wet conditions.
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5. A Trackman 4 radar in R&D mode was deployed to capture full ball flight data, including lift and drag coefficients.
   

The Results: 

The test results splashed the obvious right into our faces – playing in the rain is a whole different ball game! Here’s what the data told us:

• The initial speed, angular direction, launch angle, and launch direction were statistically similar in dry and wet conditions.
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• The spin rate for wet balls was significantly higher.
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• Wet balls reached a lower maximum height and had a considerably shorter carry distance (about 15 yards less) compared to their dry counterparts.
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• The lift and drag coefficients were noticeably higher in wet conditions throughout the flight. The real kicker is that the ball follows a similar trajectory until near the apex, where it deviates dramatically under wet conditions.

“The increased lift will serve to keep the ball in the air while the increased drag is slowing the ball down more quickly and these forces seem to roughly balance out their effect on the height of the ball. “

The Takeaways: For the rain-braving golfers, here’s the wisdom you can draw from this study:

• Keep it Dry: While you can’t control the rain, ensuring your club and ball are as dry as possible between shots can minimize the wet-ball effect.
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• Temper Expectations: Accept that your carry distances are likely to be shorter in wet conditions, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
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You can find the full abstract over on the Golf Science website here: Driver Ball Flight in the Rain: an Analysis of the Effect of Water on Lift, Drag and Resultant Trajectory by Paul D. Wood , Erik M. Henrikson , Matthew Jones

The post How much distance do you loose from water on golf balls? appeared first on Golf Science Lab.

Check out the new CUBE Range Finder with its unique caddy mode, opening up some unique ways to strategize around the golf course.

Check out all the info on the CUBE by Caddytalk range finder https://bit.ly/cuberangefinder (use coupon code GOLFSCIENCELAB15)

I like finding golf gear that’s different.

Completely out of the box from what you might see.

Or should we say out of the CUBE?  Or maybe into the CUBE.

Anyways…

This new range finder called my name just because it’s difference and had a couple features that could give a real advantage.

Caddy Mode: Measure two points and it’ll tell you the difference between them.

Here’s the obvious use cases – Blind shot and you need to figure out distance from ball to flag or if it’s cart path only and you want to figure out the distance without taking 4 clubs over to the ball with you.

Here’s how I’ve started to use this and open up some new ideas.

Layups and approach play.  You can easily figure out exactly

Width of greens for approach play.  I’ve found this useful to find the ideal aim spot.  I can easily find the middle of the green by measuring two points on either side of the green and make sure I’m aiming for the middle.

Rarely am I aiming at pins and looking to find the largest part of the green which gives me the best chance of getting a putt.

You can also shoot the flag and something like the front bunker to figure out how much space you have.  Again we’re always looking for the widest space to maximize our chance of getting the ball anywhere on the green.

Width of drive.  I love ripping driver every hole I can BUT you always have to make sure you have at least 60-70 yards between hazards.  Now I can easily look at width between hazards and trees to figure out exactly where I want to be aimed.

E-SLOPE: (Environmental Slope)

100% accurate results & recommendations taking into consideration the environmental conditions such as temperature, altitude, and humidity

Also integrates magic slope in E-slope mode.

OTHER FEATURES

• USB-C port and cable for convenient recharging
• Full charge allows up to approx. 10,000 actuations.
• IP55 Water Resistance protects laser from water and dust
• Includes CUBE hard case

Check out all the info on the CUBE by Caddytalk range finder https://bit.ly/cuberangefinder (use coupon code GOLFSCIENCELAB15)

The post Cube Range Finder Review appeared first on Golf Science Lab.

I’m sure you’ve asked yourself if you’re gripping the club too tightly or maybe not tightly enough.

This study from past GSL contributor Liam Mucklow has some great practical info!

The Study:

1. It involved 20 golfers – 10 with handicaps below 10, and 10 with handicaps above 15.
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2. These golfers went through an intake process, had their handicap index recorded, and grip strength tested with a dynamometer.
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3. Each golfer then took 10 shots with a 3-wood. The choice of a 3-wood was deliberate, as it would best highlight the performance gap between the low and high handicappers.
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4. During these shots, they collected a ton of data from, Gears full body motion capture, Foresight GCQuad Camera tracked club delivery and ball flight, and a SensorEdge instrumented grip measured pressure applied by the lead and trail hands.

The Results:

The data yielded two main findings:

• High handicap players showed almost 40% more variability in their grip pressure from swing to swing than low handicap players.​
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• High handicappers were three times more likely to apply more pressure with the trail hand at impact.

But the real insight came when examining individual golfers.

The high handicap group had significantly less control over Loft at Impact and Face Angle.

“Examining the data from the multiple technology sets made it very clear from a coaching perspective if better results would be achieved through a modification of Body Position in 3D space, or changing applied pressure to the grip.”

The Takeaways:

So what does this mean for us? Here are a few key takeaways:

• Consistency: The study shows that consistent pressure application is linked to lower handicaps. This could be something to focus on during practice.
• Pressure control: Pay attention to when pressure is being applied and could open up some new coaching opportunities using grip pressure.

Using this new tech and info could provide clear guidance on how to tweak pressure application or timing to create specific changes in club delivery.

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You can find the full abstract over on the Golf Science website here: Grip Pressure Application variances between Low and High Handicappers by Liam Mucklow, Carson Hau, Jack Healey

The post How tightly should you grip a club anyway? appeared first on Golf Science Lab.

Have you heard of the block vs random practice debate before?

The basic question being if you should practice the same thing over and over again or add some kind of variability (randomness) between each task.

In today’s research rundown we look at some info from Dr Mark Guadagnoli, a professor of neuroscience and neurology at UNLV.

His “Challenge Point Framework” has helped business leaders, professional athletes, surgeons – anyone who performs in high pressure situations.

People adopting this mindset have proven to learn three times faster and also be more resistant to stress in competition

In the study, participants practiced putting to three different targets. One group practiced in blocks (AAA, BBB, CCC), while the other group practiced in a random order.

The study found that during practice, the block group did better. However, the real magic happened when they looked at how much each group learned.

For novice golfers, practicing in blocks was more effective. They performed better during practice and also retained more.

However, for experienced golfers, even though they performed better in blocks, they actually learned more when practicing in a random order.

Block practice was simply too easy (and probably quite boring) for the more skilled player. Yet for those just learning, the repetition was beneficial as they grooved their stroke and developed feel for the speed.

Perhaps the most important point in the video is Guadagnoli’s observation that the success rate should be around 65-70 percent.

Too often, better players expect to be perfect in the practice area. This isn’t realistic. Besides, there is value in the good and the bad.

“Don’t worry about those times you are failing,” Guadagnoli said. “Those are important trials for you to be able to get comfortable being uncomfortable. That’s exactly what’s going to help you learn. Do you want to look good now or be great later?”

People need adversity, setbacks, and perhaps even trauma to reach the highest level of strength, fulfillment, and personal development.

Practical Takeaways:

1. Understand Your Level: If you’re a beginner, it’s more effective to focus on one aspect of your game at a time. Embrace the block practice concept .
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2. Embrace Variety as You Progress: As you gain experience, mix it up. Introduce variety in your practice sessions. This could mean practicing to different targets or with different clubs instead of just doing the same action again and again.
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3. Seek the Sweet Spot of Challenge: Aim for a 65 to 70 percent success rate in your practice. It’s okay to fail about 30-35 percent of the time, as it helps in long-term learning.
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4. Focus on Long-term Learning, Not Short-term Performance: Don’t worry too much about how well you perform during practice. Instead, focus on challenging yourself to optimize long-term learning.

Learn more from Dr Mark on his new Youtube Channel The Academy. He’s got some great insights he’s sharing you won’t want to miss!

The post When to use Block Practice vs Random Practice appeared first on Golf Science Lab.

If you’re like me you probably considered foam golf balls something without much value for serious golfers.

I was WRONG 

Ready to learn how to make DRAMATIC swing changes. Watch this

Foam Golf Ball – Swing change practice list

Making big technique changes is HARD.

​Dr Luke Benoit has really put together an effective method that unlocks how to make big changes and gives a step by step approach on how anyone can do it!

Key Training Insights:

• Focus on Form: In the early stages, overload your brain with swing thoughts. The goal is to learn the new movement!
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• Remove the ball: We want to change the movement and if you put a ball in the way you’ll focus on making contact and slow down movement changes.
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• Don’t make the same mistake twice: When practicing with foam balls, avoid repeating mistakes, such as hitting the ball fat 2-3x in a row.
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• Expect Dual Swings: This training might lead to having two golf swings: the one you practice and the one you play with.
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THE PROCESS:

Step 1: Freezer Drill Without a Ball

Start by starting at the top of the back swing and make a downswing focusing on changing body movements.
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This “freezer” method helps you get a feel for the new move and allows you to think about every detail of your swing to make it as perfect as possible.

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Step 2: Slow Backswing Without a Ball

Next, practice with a 3 second backswing, still without a ball.
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This helps you focus on each phase of the swing, ensuring that you’re moving correctly through every step.

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Step 3: Freezer Drill With a Foam Ball

Now, introduce a foam ball and apply the freezer drill. This helps you translate the correct movements to an actual hitting scenario.

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Step 4: Slow Backswing With a Foam Ball

Continue with the foam ball, but this time, perform a slow backswing before hitting it. You won’t make perfect contact! But don’t make the same mistake twice. Problem solve to figure out
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This combines the mental aspect of focusing on your swing mechanics with the physical aspect of actually hitting the ball.

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Step 5: Freezer Drill With a Real Ball

It’s time to try the freezer drill with a real golf ball. This step is crucial for applying the swing to making real contact.

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Step 6: Slow Backswing With a Real Ball

Finally, execute a slow backswing with a real ball. Finally we can work on making solid contact and don’t be surprised if your “slow backswing” is actually what should become your real backswing.

 Watch the full process in action:

The post How to make swing technique changes with Foam Golf Balls appeared first on Golf Science Lab.

If you’re looking for a non-permanent simulator setup that still feels like an epic $50,000 simulator room you need to check out the new Skytrak+ simulator options.

THE SUMMARY:

• The SkyTrak+ launch monitor is accurate, provides ball and CLUB data, and ideal for an indoor simulator set up.
• Features like the SkyTrak software’s shot optimizer and the integration with various simulation softwares makes practice really useful, packed with good feedback to help you see where you need to improve.
• It can run off of an Ipad or PC.
• When you buy the full sim setup you get the the enclosure, mat, grass, and Optima short-throw projector, that can be set up in a few hours and totally change any room! It’s definitely an easy option when you only have to make one purchasing decision.
• The SkyTrak+ system integrates with apps like WGT and E6, giving you different simulator and practice options depending on what look you prefer.

Dual Doppler Radar and Club Data Insights

SkyTrak+ uses a Dual Doppler Radar System to give you important details like Club Head Speed, Smash Factor, Club Path, and Face Angle.

It uses machine learning to turn this data into something you can really use to improve, offering a level of accuracy usually only seen in the most expensive equipment.

Upgraded Camera System

The camera in the SkyTrak+ is a big step up. It gives you solid ball tracking, whether you’re indoors or out at the range. This kind of accuracy, especially outside, is a big deal compared to earlier models.

Revamped Shot Optimizer Interface

The Shot Optimizer isn’t just about looks. It shows you how your shots stack up against what’s considered ideal.

The color-coded system makes it easy to see where you’re at. It also includes tutorials from Nick Clearwater, a top-rated instructor, which is a nice bonus for learning.

New Shot Scoring Feature

With the new Shot Score, SkyTrak+ lets you see how you compare after hitting 20 shots with any club.

It’s a straightforward way to gauge your skills against others and see where you might end up in an actual game.

• Pros:
  • Space Efficiency: Its camera-based system reduces the necessary space for a home setup by half compared to Doppler-based systems.
  • Ease of Use: The indicators and laser alignment aid simplify the process, making it quick and accurate to get started.
  • Versatility: Works with all the big software options + you can use it on iOS, android, or PC.
• Cons:
  • Indoor Limitation: The SkyTrak+ is primarily designed for indoor use, which might deter those looking for a portable range launch monitor for the range.
  • Subscription Cost: Access to full simulation capabilities and advanced features requires an annual subscription, adding to the total cost of ownership.

The post Skytrak+ Golf Simulator Review : $7000 Indoor Simulator Breakdown appeared first on Golf Science Lab.