Smash factor 1.50: the ratio of ball speed to club speed that TrackMan gives as the target for the driver, 150 miles per hour of ball for every 100 of club. The numbers the radar shows you in a lesson, one by one, and where to try it in Italy.
TrackMan is a radar (launch monitor) that measures what the club and the ball do in the shot: speed, angles, spin, distance. In a lesson the coach uses it to start from numbers rather than from feel. You do not need every figure to read it: a dozen parameters are enough, explained here with TrackMan's own definitions, along with an idea of where to try it in Italy.
How it works: radar versus cameras
According to TrackMan, a launch monitor is a device that measures the physical data of the shot, and the systems in use are of two kinds. Radars follow the ball continuously from impact through its whole flight, so the data are measured; optical systems record a fraction of a second at impact with high-speed cameras and then predict the flight with algorithms. The TrackMan 4, the company says, uses two synchronised radars with a camera component and returns more than 40 parameters. According to the company, the R&A has validated its accuracy in several tests.
The club numbers
- Club speed: the speed of the club just before impact. According to TrackMan, 1 mph more (about 1.6 km/h) can add up to 3 yards (about 2.7 metres) with the driver.
- Attack angle: the up or down movement of the clubhead at impact. On shots from the ground it is generally negative; with the driver it pays to hit up on the ball, that is, a positive angle, for maximum distance.
- Club path: the direction in which the clubhead moves relative to the target line: positive is "in to out", negative "out to in" for a right-hander.
- Face angle: where the clubface points at impact. For TrackMan it is the most important number for starting direction: the ball starts very close to where the face points.
- Dynamic loft: the loft of the face at impact, measured against the horizon. Too much loft sends the ball too high and shortens the distance; too little keeps it low, with a lot of roll.
The ball numbers
- Ball speed: the speed of the ball just after impact. It is the factor that most affects carry; 1 mph more is worth up to 2 yards with the driver.
- Smash factor: ball speed divided by club speed, that is, the efficiency of the energy transfer. With the driver the target is close to 1.50: 100 mph of club, 150 of ball. For a pitching wedge, about 1.25.
- Launch angle: the starting angle relative to the horizon. Together with ball speed it determines height and distance; it is slightly lower than the dynamic loft.
- Spin rate: the revolutions of the ball after impact. More loft generally means more spin, and high spin is an enemy, especially in a headwind.
- Spin axis: the tilt of the axis of rotation; according to TrackMan, a value between –2 and +2 indicates an essentially straight shot.
- Carry: the distance from the starting point to the point where the ball comes down at the same height. It depends on club speed, angle, spin and weather conditions.
The environment data: altitude and temperature
TrackMan's normalisation function serves to compare data from different sessions or environments, for example indoor and outdoor, correcting for altitude, temperature or wind; in virtual practice you can also set the altitude. It is useful in the mountains, where the ball flies farther.
Where to try it in Italy
The equipment is as declared by the clubs; availability and prices must be confirmed at the club office.
| Where | What is there | Cost or format indicated |
|---|---|---|
| Verdura (Sicily) | Performance Centre with two studios with Trackman, SAM PuttLab and fitting | 30-minute lesson with Trackman in the Golf Inclusive of the resort |
| Argentario (Tuscany) | TrackMan IIIe simulator, Capto for putting | bookings at the hotel with practice range included |
| Il Picciolo (Etna) | TrackMan simulator in the clubhouse | ask the club |
| Andreus (South Tyrol) | Trackman simulator at the Golf Lodge | free for guests of the Andreus Golf & Spa Resort, 8 am to 10 pm |
| Folgaria (Trentino) | Trackman rental | lessons from €35 for half an hour, year not stated |
| Margara (Piedmont) | indoor studio with Trackman | €70 an hour for guests, year not stated |
| Canavese (Piedmont) | Trackman 4 for long and short game | €60 an hour, €30 for half an hour, 2025 price list |
| Lignano (Friuli) | air-conditioned studio since 2023, Trackman and simulator | ask the club |
How to use the numbers in a lesson
Do not try to change everything at once. Ask the coach for two or three numbers to work on (for example face angle and club path, which explain direction) and compare the following session. Write down the carry distances, not just the total. And remember that the instruments measure: the interpretation is the coach's.
Frequently asked questions
What is a TrackMan?+
A radar for golf that measures club and ball; according to the company, the TrackMan 4 returns more than 40 parameters.
What does a smash factor of 1.50 mean?+
That the ball leaves at 1.5 times the speed of the club: at 100 mph of club speed, 150 mph of ball speed. TrackMan gives it as the target for the driver; for a pitching wedge, about 1.25.
What is the most important number for direction?+
The face angle: according to TrackMan, the ball starts very close to where the face points at impact.
Does TrackMan also work indoors?+
Yes, in simulators and indoor studios, but indoors the flight cannot be observed in full: according to TrackMan, a radar trained on measured flights gives more reliable predictions than an optical system.
Where can I take a lesson with TrackMan in Italy?+
For example at Verdura, Argentario, Il Picciolo, Folgaria, Margara, Canavese and Lignano, according to the clubs. Ask the club for up-to-date availability and price.
How much does a TrackMan lesson cost?+
According to the clubs, €35 for half an hour at Folgaria, €70 an hour at Margara and €60 an hour at Canavese (2025 price list); at Verdura a 30-minute lesson is included in the Golf Inclusive.
