The up or down movement of the club head at the time of maximum compression. Attack angle is measured relative to the horizon.
Shots hit off the ground should have a negative attack angle in order to optimize the trajectory.
However, golfers with slower club speeds should be careful not to hit too much down (negative attack angle) with their irons. This will affect the golfer’s potential distance as well as their ability to control the ball on approach shots.
To maximize distance with your driver, hitting up on the ball (positive attack angle) is a must. The driver’s loft should be chosen so that it complements the golfer’s attack angle and club speed. Having a positive attack angle does not guarantee maximum distance. The fit of the club is also an essential piece of the puzzle.
Technical Definition:
Attack Angle – The vertical direction of the club head’s geometric center movement at maximum compression of the golf ball
Tour Averages
PGA TOUR
- Driver = -1.0 degrees
- 6 iron = -4.1 degrees
LPGA Tour
- Driver = +2.0 degrees
- 6 iron = -2.3 degrees
For a full list of Tour averages, visit TrackMan PGA and LPGA Tour Averages
TrackMan Combine Averages
Male Amateur (Driver)
- Scratch of Better = -0.9 degrees
- 5 HCP = -1.1 degrees
- 10 HCP = -1.2 degrees
- Average Golfer (14.5) = -1.8 degrees
- Bogey Golfer = -2.1 degrees
Female Amateur (Driver)
- Scratch or Better = -0.9 degrees
- 5 HCP = -1.8 degrees
- 10 HCP = -1.7 degrees
- 15 HCP = -2.3 degrees
Learn more about TrackMan Combine, visit TrackMan Combine Explained
The standard assumption for attack angle is 0 degrees for the driver; whereas, the standard assumption for 6-iron and PW is determined based on the TrackMan Optimizer. The optimizer looks at club speed and trajectory type to determine the optimal attack angle. If trajectory type is not stated, then mid-trajectory is assumed. A mid-trajectory along with the standard assumption for club speed is used to determine the attack angle for each club type. That results in the following values.
- 6-iron = -3.2 degrees
- Pitching Wedge = -3.9 degrees
What our TrackMan Masters say about Attack Angle…
Joel Mercieca
KDV Sports, Australia
“A golfer’s attack angle has become one of the first things that I look at when fitting my students into a driver.
Helping golfers to understand how their attack angle plays an integral role in optimizing their spin loft, ball speed, and total distance has produced results that some students had never thought possible.
If you do not know a golfer’s attack angle, then it becomes very difficult to fit them correctly.”
Andrew Rice
Berkeley Hall Golf Club, SC, US
“Attack Angle is the king of the parameters in my opinion. It plays a significant role in determining the club path and the quality of the strike.
I have often said that if a golfer can learn to manage the attack angle, then they can manage their ball flight.”
Mark Anderson
Philadelphia Cricket Club, PA, US
“I look at attack angle as where the golfer is hitting the ball in relation to the arc of the swing.
Ball position, movement of the swing center, and the position of the hands (and the shaft) at impact are all things you have to consider when looking at attack angle.
It is extremely important to look at attack angle when you are looking at club path.
Adjusting swing direction while maintaining a proper attack angle is how I like to achieve the desired club path.”
Lsst year at the age of 83 have given up my irons to move the avg swing speed from the sixties into the seventies, using all faiway irons (Bang Golf). I would like to find data on shaft lag and attack angle data for them since there is no Trackman service in our area in Canada, Montreal.
Hi Les,
Thank you for your comment.
Actually we do have one in Montreal:
Club Laval-sur-le-Lac
Contact:
Steven Brosseau
Phone:
450-627-4431
Address:
150 Les Peupliers
H7R 1G4 Laval-sur-le-Lac
Canada
Have a look at our Locator: https://mytrackman.com/public/locator
Is a negative low point and positive AA POSSIBLE? If so how
What is the most efficient attack angle with a six iron? Currently I have -5.6 but I think that is too much
What kind of shaft should you use in a drive for a steep attack angle ?
Hi Matt,
I think it more depends on your swing and feel, I would recommend that you visit your local club fitter to test a few different shaft options, and compare the numbers + how you feel about swinging the driver.
“To maximize distance with your driver, hitting up on the ball (positive attack angle) is a must. ” – So why are everyones’ numbers negative?
Because they don’t want OR know how to maximize their potential. (Optimizing potential can for some hurt other factors). I myself am a 350pound obese 14hcp golfer. And I just hit a 287 yard drive today (on Trackman 4) with only 105.3mph clubspeed. How? Thanks to Trackman and they learing me how to read the numbers and what numbers you should strive for in order to maximize your potential. The 287yard drive for example was with +5.3 degrees attack angle. -0,5 club path and -2.3degree face angle.
I call bs on the entire ‘ combine ‘
Are they hitting off the deck or with a tee ?
Why ask, right ? … well, I’d like to know a little about their ‘ assumptions ‘ ahem, how bout’ some exact definitions ?
So, a negative AOA with a tee’d up 7 iron is not the same fundamental as a negative AOA as tee’d up driver ? I doubt it.
too many ‘ assumptions ‘ … but it doesn’t have to be – Just back up your sources with empirical stats, is all.
The metrics ARE empirical stats. The iron numbers are without a tee I’m sure. I don’t even know what you are trying to say with the “not the same fundamental” line, but yes you should swing up more with your driver to increase the launch angle of the ball. The “assumptions” are examples of optimal angles of attack for the clubs given average clubhead speed and a medium height trajectory. They are just examples which is why they reference the optimizer.