FRONT TIPS FROM THE PROS Fit for Distance Maximize your driver distance with a proper club fitting. A ll golfers should aim to get a proper fi tting for every club in their bag. You're allowed to use 14 clubs, and it makes sense to make sure they're all playable. A driver fi tting is usually the most extensive process, but it can lead to major benefi ts in distance and accuracy. With the help of a launch monitor, the fi rst number you'll need is your ball speed- how many miles per hour the ball is leaving the face. This will determine your optimum launch angle and spin rate to maximize distance. The loft of the driver and your angle of attack into the ball are both key contributing factors to the launch angle. Spin rate factors include angle of attack and contact, along with shaft fl ex, shaft weight and even the type of ball you play. If you're frustrated with your driving distance and want to change it, a proper fi tting is a good place to start. * BY MIKE BARGE * Mike Barge is the director of instruction at Hazeltine National GC, a Class A member of the PGA of America and a 2019 inductee to the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame. CLUB SPEED 121.3 MPH BALL SPEED 178.7 MPH SMASH FACTOR 1.47 ATTACK ANGLE -3.7 DEG Dynamic Loft 10.90 14.70 Spin Loft Attack Angle - 1.50L Club Path out to in - 3.70 Face to Path closed Face Angle closed - 1.50L - 1.10L - 3.20 Spin Axis left CARRY 297.2 YDS TOTAL 317.8 YDS SPIN RATE 2679 RPM LAUNCH ANGLE 9.4 DEG CLUB PATH -1.7 DEG FACE ANGLE -3.2 DEG mngolf.org Directory 2020 MINNESOTAGOLFER 5 PHOTO BY MATT SEEFELDThttp://www.mngolf.org