Shot Scope has revealed new performance data insights into the amateur game with its LM1 Launch Monitor now recording more than one million shots each month from golfers around the world.
Six months on from the launch of the LM1, the growing volume of data captured through the device is providing Shot Scope with a detailed picture of amateur golfers’ club distances, speeds and practice habits, allowing golfers to benchmark their performance against players of a similar age or handicap.
Traditionally, launch monitor benchmarks available to amateur golfers have largely focused on data from PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour players. The latest findings from Shot Scope provide a more relevant picture of amateur performance and give golfers realistic benchmarks against which to understand their own game.
Analysis of the growing LM1 database shows that golfers average at least two practice sessions per month, hitting approximately 60 shots per session, with driver used in 80% of sessions.
Across all driver shots recorded, golfers average 228 yards of carry and 247.1 yards of total distance, alongside an average clubhead speed of 95.6mph, ball speed of 133.8mph and smash factor of 1.40.
The data also provides an insight into how driving distance differs across the amateur game.
One of the most notable findings from the LM1 data is the relationship between speed, distance and strike efficiency when golfers are compared by both age and handicap.
When analysed by age, average driver carry peaks at 245.6 yards among golfers aged 30-39, before falling to 194.6 yards among golfers aged 60 and over. Average ball speed follows a similar trend, decreasing from 140.9mph to 121.1mph between the same groups.
Despite the 51-yard difference in average carry, smash factor remains remarkably consistent, ranging from 1.39 to 1.41 across all age groups.
A similar trend can be seen when comparing golfers by handicap. Scratch golfers average 258.1 yards of driver carry compared with 211.4 yards for golfers with a handicap of 20 or above, a difference of 46.7 yards.
Average ball speed decreases from 147.1mph among scratch golfers to 126mph among 20+ handicappers, while the difference in smash factor between the two groups is just 0.04.
The findings demonstrate the significant role speed plays in generating distance within the amateur game, while also showing relatively small differences in strike efficiency across age and handicap groups.
Shot Scope has identified similar patterns throughout the bag, with the relationship between speed and distance continuing from driver through to shorter clubs.
Powered by Doppler radar technology, the LM1 measures five key performance metrics – club speed, ball speed, smash factor, carry distance and total distance – helping golfers better understand their performance and make their practice more measurable.
Compact and straightforward to set up, the LM1 can be used both indoors and outdoors, with practice sessions synced to the Shot Scope App to allow golfers to review their data and track progress over time.
Shot Scope has also released a free eBook featuring further findings from the LM1 database, alongside practical advice to help golfers use their data and practise more effectively throughout the winter months.
The LM1 is available to buy online at shotscope.com and in retail locations across the UK and Europe.