Beginner
Carry Distance
Also known as: carry
Carry distance is how far the ball travels through the air before it first lands — distinct from total distance, which includes roll.
Carry is the number that matters for club selection on approach shots, especially over hazards, bunkers, or to elevated greens where roll is unpredictable. It is determined by the combination of ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate. Knowing your real carry numbers (not your best-ever total) is one of the biggest scoring levers for amateurs, who routinely overestimate how far they hit each club.
Example
A 7-iron that flies 150 yards and rolls to 158 has a carry distance of 150 — the number you use to clear a front bunker.
Related terms
- 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.
- 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.
Related guides & benchmarks
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