ShotTally / Launch monitor & sim
Swing speed to distance calculator
One input — your driver clubhead speed — and you get a realistic carry number for every club in the bag, scaled by strike quality.
How it works
The calculator scales your driver clubhead speed down through the bag using tour-average club speed ratios (a 7-iron is typically swung at about 87% of driver speed), applies your strike quality as a smash factor capped at each club's realistic maximum, and converts the resulting ball speed to carry with per-club coefficients.
Strike quality matters more than most golfers think: dropping from a 1.46 to a 1.33 driver smash factor at 95 mph costs about 25 yards of carry — the same as losing 8 mph of swing speed.
Use it for gapping, not bragging
The most useful output is the spacing between clubs. If your real gaps don't look like this — say your 5-iron and 6-iron carry the same — that's a lofts/fitting conversation. Check the club gapping calculator for a version driven by a club you actually know.
FAQ
What's the average driver swing speed for amateurs?
Around 93–94 mph for male amateurs overall. Scratch players average about 110 mph, 10-handicaps about 95 mph, and PGA Tour players about 115 mph.
How much distance does 5 mph of swing speed add?
Roughly 12–14 yards of driver carry, assuming your smash factor holds. Speed training gains only pay off fully if strike quality doesn't degrade.
Why do my wedges fly further than the chart?
Most amateurs deloft wedges at impact or the chart's conservative smash caps don't match your delivery. Trust your measured numbers over any chart — this tool is for golfers who don't have measured numbers yet.
Should I use carry or total distance for club selection?
Carry. You have to fly the ball to the target; roll is a bonus that varies with turf. Course management built on carry numbers is far more repeatable.