Hang Time (Golf)
Also known as: hang time, golf hang time, hang time on a launch monitor, flight time of a golf shot, how long the ball is in the air
Hang time is how long the ball stays in the air, in seconds, from impact until it first lands. Higher shots usually stay up longer and land softer. More hang time is not a goal by itself; it is a result of launch, spin and speed.
Most launch monitors and range tracking systems report hang time next to carry and height. Toptracer defines it as the total time the ball stays airborne from impact to first landing.
Hang time grows with height. A high wedge may stay up almost as long as a lower long iron. High, soft-landing shots are useful into greens.
For the driver, long hang time can mean too much spin or launch. The goal there is the best mix of carry and roll, not the longest time in the air. Judge hang time alongside carry, apex and landing angle.
Tips by skill level
Look at hang time with apex. High and long in the air usually means the ball will stop quickly.
With the driver, if hang time is high but carry is short, check spin rate first.
Example
He loves his towering driver and its long hang time. His launch monitor shows high spin, and a lower-spin setup gives him more total distance with less time in the air.
Why it matters
Hang time helps you picture ball flight. It matters most as a clue to height and landing, not as a number to chase.
Common mistakes
- Chasing hang time with the driver
- Reading it without carry and spin
- Comparing hang time across different clubs
- Assuming more air time means more distance
Frequently asked questions
Is more hang time better?
Not by itself. Hang time grows with height, and height helps the ball stop. For the driver, aim for the best carry and roll, not the longest time in the air.
Where do I see hang time?
Most launch monitors and range tracking systems show it next to carry and height. Toptracer lists it as the time from impact to first landing.
Sources
Related terms
- Apex (Peak Height)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.
- 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.
- Carry DistanceCarry distance is how far the ball travels through the air before it first lands. It is different from total distance, which includes roll.
- 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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