What is Club Head Speed?
Club head speed is the velocity at which the golf club head travels just before impact with the ball. It's a critical metric in golf that directly influences the distance the ball will travel.
Formula
The club head speed can be estimated using the ball speed:
$$\text{Club Head Speed} = \frac{\text{Ball Speed}}{1.5}$$
Where:
- Ball Speed is measured in mph or kph
- The factor 1.5 represents the typical "smash factor" in golf (the ratio of ball speed to club head speed)
Example
If the ball speed is 165 mph:
$$\text{Club Head Speed} = \frac{165}{1.5} = 110$$
This means the club head was traveling at approximately 110 mph at impact.