What Does Attack Angle Mean In Golf?

Definition

The attack angle in golf is the vertical angle at which the club head is moving at impact.

A positive angle would mean hitting up on the ball, meaning more height and less spin on the shot. A negative attack angle would mean hitting down on the golf ball, causing it to fly lower and generate more spin. Shots off the ground should have a negative attack angle in order to ensure that the golfer is optimizing trajectory. 

In order to maximize distance with a driver, golfers must have a positive attack angle to hit up on the ball. This will not guarantee distance, but instead pairing the positive attack angle with the driver’s loft and club speed will result in further distance.

Angle Averages

The specific angle will depend on the type of club and the skill level of the individual golfer. Different clubs have different angles that will maximize trajectory for distance, and players can take advantage of using these different angles. The average angle for men on the PGA tour when using a driver was -1.0 degrees and -4.1 degrees for the 6 iron. For women on the LPGA tour, the average attack angle used for driving was +2.0 degrees and -2.3 degrees when using a 6 iron.