Long before Trackman, the term Smash Factor was invented to show the superiority of the latest titanium faced drivers at the time.
But what it is exactly?
Simply, Smash Factor is a ratio of ball speed to clubhead speed on a golf shot. The maximum, roughly, that can be attained is about a 3:2 ratio, or 1.50, which is more commonly used. It is not terribly uncommon to see 1.51 or 1.52 on individual shots with a driver.
So if you were to swing your driver 100 mph, the ball would come off (given a center strike) at 150 mph. A sizeable mishit would be 1.40, traveling only 140 mph and therefore would not go as far. A perfect strike simply imparts more energy from the club to the ball.
Off the tee, the average player on the PGA Tour averages about 1.485 smash factor for the entire year.
Every club in your bag will potentially have a different smash factor. It depends on the spin loft of the club. The more spin loft you have, the more friction and backspin you will get, using up energy to get lift and ‘bite’ on the green.
Thus, if you were playing with a 7 degree driver instead of a 10.5, you would potentially increase your smash factor. However, you would have to change your technique to make the ball travel on an optimal flight.
A pitching wedge, with about 47 degrees of loft, will have a smash of 1.30 on an outstanding hit. With a 7 iron a great strike may achieve 1.37.
With today’s technology, club makers have stretched the smash factor of first fairway woods, then hybrids, and now irons. The same ‘trampoline’ effect that has been present in drivers for over 20 years has now been put into many other clubs – but only certain sets.
It is now possible to get 1.50 out of a 3 wood, a hybrid, or even a 3 iron. Around 10-15 yards can be instantly added with this type of club, and for once it isn’t a gimmick.
We maximize smash factor by hitting the ball square in the center of the clubface. For some time, there was a myth that hitting a driver higher up in the face would make the ball go farther. It does make the ball launch higher and spin lower, the hallmarks of a long hit, but you will lose ball speed and smash factor in the process, ultimately costing you distance.
Center strikes are a huge key to getting distance. Without it, we feel like we have to swing harder to achieve any distance. But hitting the ball solidly comes from tons of repetitions to groove your swing, and having good technique.
Our online video training course provides that technique. Using it, you will maximize your smash factor as one way of gaining more distance. Click here for more info.