What is Smash Factor?
Smash Factor is ball speed divided by club speed and relates to the amount of energy transferred from the club head to the golf ball.
The higher the Smash Factor the better the energy transfer. A golfer would hope to achieve a Smash Factor near 1.50 on driver shots.
That means for a 100-mph club speed the ball speed would be 150 mph. The higher the loft of the club, the lower the Smash Factor is expected to be. A PW should have a Smash Factor near 1.25.
Driver example
Golfer A has a club speed of 100 mph and a Smash Factor of 1.40. Golfer A’s ball speed is 140 mph.
Golfer B has a club speed of 100 mph and a Smash Factor of 1.50. Golfer B’s ball speed is 150 mph.
The 10-mph ball speed difference between Golfer A and Golfer B equates to approximately 20 yards in distance between the two golfers — even though they have the same club speed.
For further insights, watch this video on Smash Factor, one of the 10 Fundamentals of Trackman University.
Technical Definition:
Smash Factor – The ratio between the Ball Speed and the Club Speed
Tour Averages
PGA TOUR
Driver – 1.49
6 iron – 1.39
LPGA Tour
Driver – 1.49
6 iron – 1.41
For a full list of Tour averages, visit Trackman PGA and LPGA Tour Averages
TRACKMAN COMBINE AVERAGES
Male Amateur (Driver)
Scratch or Better – 1.49
5 HCP – 1.45
10 HCP – 1.45
Average Golfer (14.5) – 1.44
Bogey Golfer – 1.43
Female Amateur (Driver)
Scratch or Better – 1.46
5 HCP – 1.45
10 HCP – 1.44
15 HCP – 1.41
What our Trackman Masters say about Smash Factor…
“Smash Factor is often misunderstood as being representative of only how centered a ball was struck. I stress that it purely represents how well a player converted club speed into ball speed. It is also possible to have a Smash Factor that is too high with certain clubs.”
Andrew Rice
Berkeley Hall Golf Club, United States
“Smash Factor is used to determine the efficiency of impact. Face to path relationships, spin loft, and impact point location are the main factors to look at after you have determined that the Smash Factor is too low.”
James Leitz
Pinewood Country Club, LA, US
“During an initial assessment of a golfer I will observe Smash Factor, in particular with the driver. If a golfer’s attack angle, dynamic loft, face to path numbers, and impact location are good, then I will definitely question if the equipment is the correct fit. If these items are not optimal, then I will educate the player to understand what we are looking for. From there we can begin work on the primary improvement which will be the parameter that is furthest from optimal.”
Richard Woodhouse
KDV Sports, Australia
To learn more about how increasing Smash Factor can improve your distance, check out Hit it Further – Improve Smash Factor with Instructor Martin Chuck from Revolution Golf.