Spin Rate is the amount of spin on the golf ball immediately after impact
Spin rate has a major influence on the height and distance of a shot.
Spin rate is one of the least appreciated numbers, especially in windy conditions.
A high spin rate is the enemy, particularly when hitting in to the wind. One way to reduce spin is to hit a lower lofted club.
Practice taking one or two clubs more (5 iron instead of 7 iron) and swing easier. The will help you control your ball flight and distance.
More loft generally increases spin rate. All things being equal, more club speed will also increase spin rate.
Technical Definition:
Spin Rate – The rate of rotation of the golf ball around the resulting rotational axis of the golf ball immediately after the golf ball separates from the club face
Tour Averages
PGA TOUR
- Driver – 2686 rpm
- 6 iron – 6231 rpm
LPGA Tour
- Driver – 2611 rpm
- 6 iron – 5943 rpm
For a full list of Tour averages, visit TrackMan PGA and LPGA Tour Averages
TrackMan Combine Averages
Male Amateur (Driver)
- Scratch of Better – 2896 rpm
- 5 HCP – 2987 rpm
- 10 HCP – 3192 rpm
- Average Golfer (14.5) – 3275 rpm
- Bogey Golfer – 3127 rpm
Female Amateur (Driver)
- Scratch or Better – 2831 rpm
- 5 HCP – 3027 rpm
- 10 HCP – 3207 rpm
- 15 HCP – 3287 rpm
Learn more about TrackMan Combine, visit TrackMan Combine Explained
The standard assumption for spin rate comes from the TrackMan Optimizer.
- For a driver, a club speed of 94 mph, attack angle of 0 degrees, and optimized carry results in a spin rate of 2,772 rpm.
- For a 6-iron, a club speed of 80 mph and mid-trajectory results in a spin rate of 5,956 rpm.
- For a PW, a club speed of 72 mph and mid-trajectory results in a spin rate of 8,408 rpm.
What our TrackMan Masters say about Spin Rate…
Mark Anderson Philadelphia Cricket Club, USA
“Controlling the spin rate is pivotal to controlling the flight of the golf ball.
The idea launch angle and spin rate numbers are crucial to achieving the optimal trajectory give a golfer’s club speed.
It is so important to look at contact point when looking at spin rate.
Vertical gear effect can have a massive effect on spin numbers.”
Christoph Bausek Progressive Golf, Austria
“It is fascinating how much the spin rate can change the flight of the golf ball.
It often happens that a student can improve their total distance of a drive by more than 30 yards within a couple shots.
Spin rate is mainly produced by spin loft, speed, friction, and centeredness of impact. Vertical gear effect has an enormous influence on drivers.
If a golfer understands how spin is produced, they will also have a big advantage in their short game.”
Jamie McConnell JM Golf Academy, Ireland
“Controlling the spin rate of the golf ball is an important factor particularly in the short game.
Being able to produce more spin on a 50 yard wedge shot when it is needed can be the difference between winning and losing a tournament.
In the same sense, the ability to produce chip shots with less spin can be the difference between playing to or playing under a golfer’s handicap.”
is a left handers fade the same as a right handers draw more distance with a draw compared to a fade
David,
The simple answer to your question is no.
The distance is based on the launch conditions ball speed, launch angle, spin rate and spin axis. The ball has no clue and doesn’t matter if you are righty or lefty.
The reason people are saying that “a draw will carry further than a fade” is because the draw tends to have a lower loft (closed face -> less loft) and that will – all else equal – produce a higher ball speed -> longer carry.
A ball curving to the left for a lefty is hit with an open face and has most likely more loft than the closed face for the same player. The more loft from the open face will make the ball speed lower and the carry shorter – all else equal.
Please feel free to contact us at support@trackmangolf.com if you have further questions.
Thank you,
Niklas Bergdahl
Support Manager Europe & Asis
TrackMan
Hi thanks for that. The averages for the different ability levels was helpful. What would you say the ideal spin rates are for the ‘bogey’ golfer with the 6 iron. I was fit recently and id say the averages above were about what i was coming with. I was wondering whether this was too low. I know one teaching pro said he would look for his spin to be equal to the club playing. eg 6 iron spinning at 6k. Would this be ideal for a bogey golfer? Or simply unrealistic. Would i be right in assuming the ball effects these spin rates too. Thanks Martin
Hi,
Does the Trackman system meassure the spin rate or is it calculated with data like club head speed and attack angle?
Thanks Flo