Apex (Peak Height)
Also known as: peak height, max height, maximum height, apex height, ball flight apex, height of the ball flight
Apex, or peak height, is the highest point of the ball's flight, measured from the height it was launched. On TrackMan's PGA Tour averages, most clubs from driver to wedge peak at about 25 to 29 meters (roughly 27 to 32 yards). Slower swings peak lower, and the right height for you depends on your ball speed.
TrackMan defines height as the maximum height of the trajectory relative to the elevation where the ball was launched. It comes from ball speed, launch angle and spin together. A fast, low-spin driver shot and a slow, high-spin wedge can peak at the same height.
Tour data shows a striking pattern. Most clubs peak at a similar height. On TrackMan's PGA Tour averages, the driver and the 7-iron both peak at about 29 meters and the pitching wedge at about 27. LPGA Tour averages run a few meters lower, about 21 to 24 meters across the clubs listed. Golfers with slower speeds see lower peaks with every club.
Use apex as a diagnostic, not a number to copy. Irons that peak too low land flat and run through greens. A driver that peaks too high, often from too much spin, balloons and loses distance. TrackMan's own example says a tour player with 130 mph of 6-iron ball speed should aim for about 34 yards of height. A fitter can match loft and shaft to your speed.
Tips by skill level
Note the peak height of your 7-iron on a launch monitor and compare it with your wedges. If it is far lower, your strike or the loft of that club may be the issue.
Read height and landing angle together. A club that peaks well below its neighbors often points to delofting at impact or a gap in your set.
Example
On a launch monitor, a golfer's 7-iron peaks far lower than his 9-iron and lands at a shallow angle. His long approach shots keep running off the back of greens. A fitter moves him into a more lofted iron, and his peak and landing angle both climb.
Why it matters
Peak height, together with landing angle, decides how quickly the ball stops. It also explains why some shots balloon in the wind.
Common mistakes
- Copying tour heights without tour ball speed
- Chasing height with the driver by adding spin
- Judging height by eye from behind the ball
- Ignoring that wind and elevation change the reading
Frequently asked questions
What should my peak height be?
It depends on your speed. On TrackMan's PGA Tour averages most clubs peak around 27 to 32 yards. Slower swings peak lower. Aim for a height that lets your irons land steeply enough to hold greens.
What is apex on a launch monitor?
Apex, or max height, is the highest point of the ball's flight relative to where it was launched. It comes from ball speed, launch angle and spin together.
Why do my long irons fly lower than my short irons?
Long irons need more ball speed to launch high. At slower speeds they peak lower and land flatter. Tour players get similar heights through the bag because they have that speed.
Sources
Related terms
- Launch AngleLaunch angle is the vertical angle, in degrees above horizontal, at which the ball leaves the face. Together with spin it determines how high and far the ball flies.
- Spin RateSpin rate is how fast the ball spins after impact, in revolutions per minute. It controls how the ball climbs, holds the air, and stops on landing.
- Ball SpeedBall speed is how fast the ball leaves the clubface, measured in miles per hour. It is the single biggest driver of carry distance.
- Landing Angle (Descent Angle)Landing angle is the angle at which the ball comes down relative to the horizon. A steeper angle means less bounce and roll. TrackMan recommends more than 45 degrees for approach shots, and its PGA Tour averages are about 50 degrees for a 7-iron and 38 degrees for the driver.
- Launch MonitorA launch monitor uses radar or camera sensors to measure ball and clubhead data at impact. It quantifies a shot instead of relying on how it looked.
- BallooningBallooning is when a shot, usually with a driver, climbs steeply and stalls. Too much spin and too high a launch angle cost it distance.
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