ShotTally / Launch monitor & sim
Carry vs total distance calculator
Carry is what you control; roll is what the course gives you. Estimate total distance from carry for any club and turf condition.
How it works
Rollout depends on landing angle and landing speed, which is why a driver (shallow landing angle, high speed) rolls about 10% of its carry on normal turf while a wedge (steep and slow) barely moves. This tool applies per-club baseline roll percentages scaled by a firmness factor.
Why pros talk in carry and scorecards talk in total
Every meaningful decision — carrying a bunker, clearing water, holding a green — is a carry question. Total distance only matters off the tee, and it's the least stable number in golf: the same drive can vary 30 yards of total between April and August on the same fairway. Build your bag chart in carry, use this tool to sanity-check tee-shot rollout, and you'll stop being surprised by the course.
FAQ
How much does a driver roll after landing?
On normal fairways, roughly 8–12% of carry — 20–28 yards for a 230-yard carry. Firm summer conditions can double it; soft conditions can nearly eliminate it.
Why do my irons not roll out on the green?
Steep landing angles and spin. A well-struck mid-iron lands at 45°+ with enough backspin that friction stops it within a few yards — exactly what you want for attacking pins.
Is total distance or carry more important?
Carry, for every shot where something must be flown over or stopped. Total matters mainly off the tee for position. Fittings and gapping sessions run on carry for this reason.
Do low shots roll more?
Significantly — a flighted, lower-spin shot lands shallower and releases. That's the whole design of links golf and why wind players learn to use the ground.