Custom-Fitting Manual - Taylor Made Golf

Impact Location
Defi nition: The precise location on the clubface where impact with
the ball was made.
Infl uence on Shot Performance: When the impact location is away
from the center of the clubface, initial ball speed will be slower and
shot distance will be shorter. With metalwoods, when the impact
location is higher on the face the ball will launch at a higher angle
and at a lower spin-rate; when the impact location is lower on the
face the ball will launch lower and at a higher spin rate. When the
impact location is toward the toe the shot will start slightly to the
right (for right-handed players); when the impact location is toward
the heel the shot will start slightly to the left. With metalwoods,
when the impact location is toward the toe the ball will start to the
right but draw-spin will be imparted. When the impact location is
toward the heel the ball will start to the left but fade-spin will be
imparted.
Typical Values: A tour player’s impact location tends to be at the
clubface center or very close to it, while the average amateur’s
impact location varies signifi cantly.
Ball Speed
Defi nition: The speed of the ball immediately after impact, measured
in miles per hour.
Infl uence on Shot Performance: Higher ball speed usually results in
greater distance.
Typical Values: Ball speed depends on variables including clubhead
speed, impact location and face angle, and varies from player to
player.
Ideal Values: Use the player’s maximum achievable speed as their
ideal ball speed.
Launch Angle
Defi nition: The angle of the path on which the ball leaves the
clubface, measured in degrees in relation to horizontal.
Infl uence on Shot Performance: A higher launch angle equals higher
initial ball fl ight, and vice versa.
Typical Values: Launch angle varies from player to player and from
club to club.
Ideal Values: The ideal launch angle varies depending upon the ball
speed and the spin-rate generated by a given club confi guration.
With a driver, the slower the ball speed, the higher the ideal launch
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