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Inside the Numbers: A look at the launch monitor results for 3 different PGA Tour players

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Recently, during a practice round at Quail Hollow Club ahead of the 2022 Presidents Cup, I was standing near the tee at hole No. 13, which is a par-4 measuring 504 yards.

I was briefly following a foursome of United States team members, including Tony Finau, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, and Cameron Young.

If we’re being completely honest, I was following the group because I needed some photos of Morikawa’s custom USA Adidas shoes for a story about the custom gear that players were wearing at the Presidents Cup.

As a golfer, though, I was especially intrigued because the group was carrying around a Foresight GC Quad, and each player was taking turns ripping drivers on the long par 4. From where I was standing, I had a clear look at the launch monitor numbers that popped up on the screen after their drives.

Unfortunately, the launch monitor system didn’t properly read Finau’s numbers, but I was able to capture photos of the results for Morikawa, Homa and Young. Keep in mind that the 13th hole is a slight dogleg right where players have to either take on the bunker on the right, which is a 320-yard carry, or they play to the left of the bunker and rip it down the left side (possibly with a cut).

Let’s take a look at each players’ numbers below:

Collin Morikawa

Ball Speed: 167 mph

Carry: 298 yards

Launch Angle: 12 degrees

Pull: 2.4 degrees left

Spin Axis: 2.0 degrees right

Total Spin: 2,099 rpm

Max Homa

Ball Speed: 176 mph

Carry: 299 yards

Launch Angle: 10.7 degrees

Pull: 6.1 degrees left

Spin Axis: 12 degrees right

Total Spin: 2,885 rpm

Cameron Young

Ball Speed: 184 mph

Carry: 339 yards

Launch Angle: 13.8 degrees

Push: 0.6 degrees right

Spin Axis: 7.0 degrees left

Total Spin: 2,059 rpm

Obviously, these are results from just one swing for each player, so it’s not representative of their overall averages. For a wider scope of PGA Tour launch monitor numbers, you can find those stats over at PGATOUR.com on the Stats page under the “radar” section at the bottom.

My biggest takeaway from the three sets of numbers listed above is simply the importance of tracking your own personal launch monitor feedback. It can be extremely informative for you to figure out what numbers are causing suboptimal distance and accuracy.

For example, Morikawa’s ball speed is just 167 mph, compared to Homa’s 176 mph of ball speed, but Morikawa’s carry distance is 298 yards, versus Homa’s 299-yard drive. On these particular drives, Morikawa’s higher launch angle (12 degrees) and lower backspin (2,099 rpm), versus Homa’s lower launch angle (10.7 degrees) and higher backspin (2,885 rpm), allows Morikawa to better maximize distance for his speed. It’s possible that Homa either mishit the shot low on the face, or he was intentionally hitting a cut, which could explain the reason that Homa’s ball didn’t fly significantly farther compared to Morikawa’s.

A lot of information can be gathered from launch monitor numbers, especially when you consult a fitter or instructor to work through your results and how to improve them. I encourage all golfers to seek out a launch monitor system, and simply hit shots with multiple clubs to figure out how far you actually hit the ball, and why it flies the way it does.

For a full breakdown of Trackman vs Foresight, check out this article here. Also, check out our full review of the Full Swing Kit below.

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He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

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Whats in the Bag

Will Zalatoris WITB 2024 (April)

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  • Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. 

Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X (44.5 inches)

3-wood: Titleist TSi2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X

Irons: Titleist T350 (3), Titleist T150 (4-PW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Prototype G.O.S.T. 10 ST X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-08F, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max

Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord

See more photos of Will Zalatoris’ WITB in the forums.

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New Level launches new 480-DB irons, blending performance and forgiveness

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New Level has been making some really good golf equipment since the company started up in 2018. Offering irons that are more geared towards the better player, precision has been a fundamental philosophy for New Level in creating irons and wedges.

The 480 line of irons has been the flagship of the brand, and the newest member of that team is the 480-DB iron that is now open to pre-orders. A new cavity design is what the whole 480 line is about, and the 480-DB takes advantage of that with added ball speed and a larger sweet spot.

For players who require their irons to offer the best feel, rest assured the DB is a fully forged (from 1020 carbon steel) one-piece golf club. No multi-piece, hollow design with this iron.

While the 480-DB is the next generation of the popular 902-OS, New Level didn’t follow the current trend in golf by chasing distance with the new iron. They actually weakened the lofts on the 480-DB with the spec sheet showing a 33-degree 7-iron and 45-degree pitching wedge. These lofts allow the DB to have less offset while still offering consistent distance off the face.

A traditional design was also at the forefront of the new irons to make sure that golfers with an eye for detail can look down at them with confidence that they will perform under any condition.

 

A weight low in the back cavity will allow their master club builders to dial in the perfect weight for the golfer, no matter the length or shaft being used. New Level believes that the new 480-DB is one of the most forgiving one-piece forged irons on the market today. A pre-worn leading edge on the sole should get through the turf quickly and with reduced digging for better turf interaction.

You can pre-order the New Level 480-DB right now on the New Level website.

Pricing specs availability

  • Irons: 4-PW
  • Price: $149/oron
  • Availability: Pre-order

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Snell Golf launches new 2024 Prime lineup of golf balls offering ‘performance for all’

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Snell Golf has today introduced its new 2024 Prime golf ball lineup.

Per Snell, the new lineup focuses on offering urethane technology at an affordable price, while optimizing the golf ball performance based on player swing speed, or a more frequently known data point, 7-iron distance.

Regarding the new release, Dean Snell, owner and CEO, said

“As our company has evolved over the last 9 years we continue to learn more about our customers and what we can do to make golf ball selection easy for the amateur golfer. Sometimes there is just too much data, described as ‘paralysis by analysis,’ leaving many golfers feeling overwhelmed. The new lineup is positioned to make it easy for our players to choose their model based on swing speed, or an even simpler metric of their 7-iron distance. Each model is designed to give those player profiles total overall performance and do so at a price point that makes sense for their game and their wallet.”

Prime 2.0, Prime 3.0, and Prime 4.0 offer three performance levels and three price points to fit golfers of different capabilities.

Prime 2.0

A new, two-piece urethane golf ball ball designed for slower swing speed golfer. A high-speed core is designed to offer players higher spin and higher launch to promote overall carry distance. This works with the urethane cover for higher short-game spin than other two-piece balls on the market, according to the company. The new XV3 Urethane cover aims to provide very soft feel, excellent durability, and superior greenside control.

Price: $24.99 per dozen.

Prime 3.0

Total performance for a wide range of golfers, this is a three-piece urethane golf ball that evolves from the previous “MTB PRIME” and “MTB BLACK” models, designed to provide high ball speed and low long game spin that most players desire. The mantle layer is designed for controlling iron spin to mid-high levels needed to execute every shot in the bag, while the brand’s NEW XV3 Urethane cover aims to provide softer feel, ultimate greenside control, and improved durability.

Price: $32.99 per dozen.

Prime 4.0

Designed for mid to high-swing speed players, this model is a four-piece urethane golf ball designed to provide golfers with leading performance. An ultra fast core and low spin aims to offer superior distance, while the mantle layers work to offer higher short iron spin and optimal launch for long irons. The XV3 Urethane cover provides ultimate greenside control, excellent durability, and a slightly firmer feel on this model.

Price: $34.99 per dozen.

The 2024 Prime 2.0 and Prime 3.0 golf ball models will be offered in a high visibility white and optic yellow immediately, shipping April 22n on SnellGolf.com. The Prime 4.0 will also be on pre-sale in white on April 22, shipping May 1. Yellow 4.0 model expected to be available June 1.

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