The Barracuda Championship this week gave players a different kind of challenge teeing off at 6,000 ft above sea level. The TrackMan GO app unveiled some rather interesting carry data.
Players typically practice in conditions at or below 1,000 ft so the Barracuda Championship in the Sierra Nevada mountains at 6,000 ft above sea level offered tour professionals a different kind of challenge.
The players used the TrackMan GO app to see normalized numbers and actual numbers at the same time. We anticipated some interesting numbers and when we consulted the app, we weren’t disappointed.
While we knew elevation would have an impact and that temperature also effects carry data, the interplay of the two at such rarified levels, undoubtedly exaggerated the effect. During morning practice sessions at a temperature of approximately 60 degrees (17 C), players like Davis Riley and Scott Stallings normalized for afternoon numbers revealing the impact temperature typically has on carry.
Factoring in a temperature of 85 degrees, carry was a further seven yards as the graphic reveals demonstrating start time at an event could have a significant effect on the outcome of any round.
The gray carry number is the actual carry number in morning conditions and the top carry number factors in the rise in temperature. Even with a standard short iron having seven yards of extra carry from morning to afternoon is huge to know. If you tee off at 8am, by the time you get to the back nine your yardages will have increased due to temperature.
Having both options of actual data and normalized data can help when prepping in new or uncertain conditions. Why work on percentage when you can measure performance. When playing in new conditions use the TrackMan Go app to baseline your numbers.
Pretty cool experience for players to enjoy. I remember a podcast that I listened to with Max Homa, and one of the key points that he made was how drastically different a tournament could be from one week to the next (due to grass type, humidity, elevation, etc).