Trackman Parameter: Carry Distance - How to Improve Yours!

Why Carry Distance Matters More Than You Think

Hi friends and golfers! I'm Coach Erik Schjolberg with EJS Golf and the Science of Better Golf. I coach my Scottsdale Golf Lessons at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, AZ. For those of you that aren't able to see me you can find me for Online Golf Lessons.

Welcome to the first article in my comprehensive series covering the parameters produced by Trackman and Sportsbox Ai. Today, we're diving deep into one of the most important—yet often misunderstood—metrics in golf:Carry Distance.

If you've been following my work at EJS Golf in Scottsdale, Arizona, or through my [online golf lessons](https://www.ejsgolf.com/Online-Golf-Lessons), you know I'm passionate about data-driven instruction. I don't teach based on feel, tradition, or what "looks good." I teach based on physics, biomechanics, and measurable results. That's what separates recreational instruction from professional, science-based coaching.

Over the next several months, I'll be writing detailed technical articles on every Trackman parameter and every Sportsbox AI biomechanical measurement. My goal is simple: to give you the knowledge and tools to understand your swing at the deepest level, so you can make informed decisions about your game. Whether you're a tour professional, a scratch golfer, or someone just beginning to explore the game, this series will transform how you think about golf instruction.

You can follow along with this series on my [blog at EJSGolf.com, and I encourage you to joinThe Science of Better Golf Community, where we discuss these concepts in depth, analyze real swings, and help each other improve through science and data.

Let's start with the foundation:Carry Distance.

What is Carry Distance? The Technical Definition

Carry distance is not the same as "total distance." This is the first critical distinction every golfer must understand. When Trackman reports your carry distance, it's telling you something very specific:

>Carry Distanceis the straight-line distance between where the golf ball was launched and where the ball's trajectory crosses a point that has the same elevation as the launch point. [1]

In simpler terms, carry is how far the ball flies through the air before it first makes contact with the ground, measured on a level surface. It does not include roll. It does not account for downhill or uphill slopes. It is a pure measurement of ball flight.

Why does this matter? Because carry distance is the most reliable indicator of your ball striking quality and swing efficiency. Roll distance is highly variable—it depends on ground conditions, firmness, temperature, and countless other factors you cannot control. But carry? Carry is determined entirely by three factors that you can control and optimize:

1.Ball Speed- How fast the ball leaves the clubface

2.Launch Angle- The vertical angle at which the ball takes off

3.Spin Rate- How much backspin the ball has immediately after impact

These three variables, working together, determine your carry distance with mathematical precision. And Trackman measures all three with extraordinary accuracy.

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How Trackman Measures Carry Distance: The Dual-Radar System

Trackman uses a sophisticated dual-radar system to track the golf ball from the moment it leaves the clubface until it lands. Unlike camera-based systems that rely on visual tracking (which can be affected by lighting, ball visibility, and frame rate), Trackman's radar technology operates on the Doppler principle—the same physics used in weather radar and military tracking systems.

Here's how it works:

The Trackman unit sits behind the golfer (for full shots) and emits a continuous radar signal. When the ball is struck, the radar detects the ball's position and velocity in three-dimensional space. The system samples the ball's flight at an extremely high rate—tracking its position, speed, and spin characteristics multiple times per second. From this data, Trackman's proprietary algorithms calculate the complete trajectory of the ball, including:

• The apex (highest point) of the flight

• The curvature of the flight path

• The descent angle

• The exact point where the ball crosses the original launch elevation

This final point is yourcarry distance. The beauty of this system is that it doesn't require the ball to actually land on a level surface. Trackman can calculate your carry distance even if you're hitting into a net, off a cliff, or on a range with uneven terrain. The radar tracks the ball's trajectory and mathematically projects where it would have landed on a level plane.

The accuracy is remarkable. Trackman is accurate to withinone footfor carry distance measurements under optimal conditions. [2] This level of precision is why it's the standard on the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, and in professional club fitting studios worldwide.

The Physics of Carry: Ball Speed, Launch Angle, and Spin Rate

Understanding carry distance requires understanding the three variables that create it. Let's break down each one and explore how they interact.

1. Ball Speed: The Primary Driver of Distance

Ball speed is exactly what it sounds like: the speed of the golf ball immediately after it separates from the clubface, measured in miles per hour (mph). Of the three variables, ball speed has the greatest influence on carry distance.

According to Trackman's research,gaining 1 mph of ball speed adds approximately 2 yards of carry distance(assuming optimal launch angle and spin rate). [3] This is why increasing ball speed is the holy grail of distance optimization.

Ball speed is determined by two factors:

• Club Speed - How fast you swing the club

• Smash Factor - The efficiency of energy transfer from club to ball (ball speed ÷ club speed)

A PGA Tour player with a driver typically generates a club speed of around 115 mph and a ball speed of 171 mph, yielding a smash factor of approximately 1.49. [3] This is near the theoretical maximum for a driver (1.50), indicating a centered strike with optimal collision dynamics.

Most amateur golfers I work with have room for improvement in both areas. We'll dive deep into ball speed in the next article in this series, but for now, understand this:ball speed is king when it comes to carry distance.

2. Launch Angle: The Trajectory Optimizer

Launch angle is the vertical angle at which the ball takes off relative to the horizon, measured in degrees. For a driver, the optimal launch angle for maximum carry distance typically falls between10 and 14 degrees, depending on ball speed and spin rate. [4]

Here's the key insight: launch angle must be matched to your ball speed. A slower-swinging golfer needs a higher launch angle to maximize carry, while a faster-swinging golfer can optimize carry with a lower launch angle (because the ball stays in the air longer due to higher ball speed).

This is why "one size fits all" advice is dangerous in golf instruction. The optimal launch angle for a tour player swinging at 115 mph is very different from the optimal launch angle for a golfer swinging at 85 mph.

Launch angle is influenced by several factors:

• Attack Angle - Whether the club is moving upward, downward, or level at impact

• Dynamic Loft - The actual loft of the clubface at impact (which can differ significantly from the static loft stamped on the club)

• Impact Location - Strikes high on the face launch higher; strikes low on the face launch lower

At EJS Golf, we use Trackman to dial in your optimal launch angle by adjusting these variables through swing changes, equipment adjustments, or both.

3. Spin Rate: The Distance Killer (or Optimizer)

Spin rate is the rate at which the golf ball rotates around its axis immediately after impact, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). For carry distance optimization, we're primarily concerned with backspin.

Here's the paradox: you need some spin to keep the ball in the air (spin creates lift), but too much spin kills distance. Excessive backspin creates too much lift, causing the ball to "balloon" and lose forward momentum. It also increases drag, robbing you of carry distance.

For a driver, the optimal spin rate for maximum carry distance typically falls between2,000 and 2,800 rpmfor most golfers. [4] Tour players with very high ball speeds can optimize carry with even lower spin rates (1,700-2,200 rpm) because their ball speed generates enough lift even with minimal spin.

Spin rate is influenced by:

• Spin Loft - The difference between your attack angle and dynamic loft (we'll cover this in detail in a future article)

• Club Path and Face Angle Relationship - Glancing blows create more spin

• Impact Location - Strikes low on the face create more spin; strikes high on the face create less spin

• Clubhead Design and Ball Type - Equipment matters, but technique matters more

When I work with a student who's losing distance, one of the first things I check on Trackman is spin rate. I see countless golfers who are spinning their driver at 3,500+ rpm, sometimes even 4,000+ rpm. That's a distance killer. By making swing adjustments to reduce spin loft and optimize the strike, we can often gain 15-20 yards of carry without increasing swing speed at all.

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The Carry Distance Optimization Table

To help you understand how these variables interact, here's a reference table showing typical carry distances for different combinations of ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate with a driver:

| Ball Speed (mph) | Launch Angle (°) | Spin Rate (rpm) | Approximate Carry (yards) |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| 150 | 12 | 2,500 | 240 |

| 150 | 16 | 3,500 | 225 |

| 150 | 8 | 2,000 | 220 |

| 160 | 12 | 2,400 | 265 |

| 160 | 16 | 3,500 | 250 |

| 170 | 11 | 2,200 | 290 |

| 170 | 15 | 3,200 | 280 |

Notice the pattern? At any given ball speed, there's an optimal combination of launch angle and spin rate that maximizes carry. Too much launch with too much spin, and you lose distance. Too little launch with too little spin, and the ball doesn't stay in the air long enough.

This is why Trackman is invaluable. It shows you exactly where you are and exactly where you need to be.

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My Coaching Approach: From Diagnosis to Optimization

When a student comes to me at [EJS Golf in Scottsdale](https://www.ejsgolf.com/Scottsdale-Golf-Lessons) wanting more distance, we don't start by telling them to "swing harder" or "get a new driver." We start with a comprehensive Trackman assessment.

Here's my systematic process:

Step 1: Establish Your Baseline

We hit 10-12 driver shots at a comfortable, repeatable effort level. I'm not asking for your maximum effort; I'm asking for your typical swing. Trackman records every shot, and I analyze:

• Average carry distance

• Average ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate

• Consistency (standard deviation) of each metric

• Impact location pattern (using impact spray or tape)

This gives us a complete picture of your current performance.

Step 2: Identify the Limiting Factor

Is your carry distance limited by ball speed? Launch angle? Spin rate? Or a combination? The data tells us immediately.

Case Study Example:I recently worked with a 10-handicap golfer who was frustrated that he couldn't carry the ball past 230 yards despite feeling like he was swinging hard. His Trackman numbers told the story:

• Ball Speed: 148 mph (solid)

• Launch Angle: 8 degrees (too low)

• Spin Rate: 3,800 rpm (way too high)

• Carry Distance: 228 yards

His ball speed was actually quite good for his swing speed, but his launch conditions were killing him. The combination of low launch and high spin created a weak, ballooning ball flight that died in the air.

Step 3: Implement the Fix

In this case, we didn't need to change his swing dramatically. We made two adjustments:

1.Ball Position- Moved the ball slightly forward in his stance to encourage a more upward attack angle

2.Tee Height- Raised the tee by half an inch to promote contact higher on the face (which reduces spin)

Within 20 minutes, his numbers transformed:

• Ball Speed: 149 mph (essentially unchanged)

• Launch Angle: 11 degrees (optimal)

• Spin Rate: 2,600 rpm (optimal)

• Carry Distance: 255 yards

That's a27-yard gainwithout swinging any harder. This is the power of understanding carry distance optimization.

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Carry vs. Total Distance: Why Carry Matters More

Many golfers obsess over "total distance"—the number that includes roll. But total distance is highly variable and often misleading. A ball that carries 250 yards might roll 10 yards on a soft fairway or 40 yards on a firm, downwind fairway. You can't control roll. You can only control carry.

Moreover, on approach shots, carry is the only number that matters. When you're hitting a 7-iron to a green, you need to know how far the ball will fly in the air. Roll is irrelevant (and often undesirable).

This is why I train all my students to think in terms of carry distance. Know your carry numbers for every club in your bag. When you're on the course and you have 165 yards to the hole, you need to know which club carries 165 yards, not which club "goes" 165 yards.

At [TSBGolf.com](https://www.tsbgolf.com), we have members who track their carry distances meticulously using Trackman or other launch monitors. They know their gaps. They know their numbers. And they score better because of it.

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Conclusion: Master Carry, Master Distance

Carry distance is the foundation of distance control in golf. It's determined by three variables—ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate—all of which can be measured, analyzed, and optimized using Trackman technology.

In the coming articles in this series, we'll dive deep into each of these variables. We'll explore how your body mechanics (measured by Sportsbox AI) influence your club delivery (measured by Trackman), which in turn determines your ball flight. We'll cover every Trackman parameter and every Sportsbox AI biomechanical measurement, building a complete education inThe Science of Better Golf.

If you're ready to take your game to the next level with data-driven instruction, I invite you to:

• Subscribe to my YouTube channel at [YouTube.com/@EJSGolf](https://www.youtube.com/@EJSGolf) for video lessons and drills

• Follow me on Instagram at [Instagram.com/@coacherikschjolberg](https://www.instagram.com/coacherikschjolberg/) for daily tips and swing analysis

• Follow me on X at [X.com/ejs_golf](https://twitter.com/ejs_golf) for real-time coaching insights

• Explore my coaching options at EJSGolf.com , including Scottsdale golf lessons and [online golf lessons](https://www.ejsgolf.com/Online-Golf-Lessons)

• Join The Science of Better Golf Community at [TSBGolf.com] for personalized feedback and live coaching calls.

• Read more in-depth articles at (https://www.swingyard.com)

Your journey to optimized carry distance—and better golf—starts today.

By Coach Erik Schjolberg | PGA Professional | EJS Golf Academy, Scottsdale, Arizona

About the Author:

Coach Erik Schjolberg is a PGA Professional and the founder of EJS Golf Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona. He specializes in science-driven golf instruction using Trackman 4, Sportsbox AI 3D motion capture, and Dual 3D Pressure Plates. His coaching philosophy, "The Science of Better Golf," combines biomechanics, physics, and data analysis to deliver measurable improvement for golfers of all skill levels.