Learn · Golf data
Golf ball speed chart
If I could only look at one number on a launch monitor, it would be ball speed. It's the biggest driver of distance and one of the most reliable readings.
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Why ball speed matters most
Trackman defines ball speed as the speed of the ball's center of gravity right after it leaves the face, and calls it the biggest single factor in carry. Its rule of thumb: each extra 1 mph of ball speed is worth up to 2 yards with a driver. Independent studies also found ball speed is one of the most consistent numbers across launch monitors, which isn't true of spin.
Sources: Trackman 2023 Tour Averages and Trackman Combine averages by handicap.
| Group | Club speed (mph) | Ball speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 115 | 171 |
| LPGA Tour | 96 | 143 |
| Male, scratch | 110 | 161 |
| Male, 5 hcp | 101 | 147 |
| Male, 10 hcp | 95 | 138 |
| Male, average (14.5 hcp) | 94 | 133 |
| Male, bogey golfer | 92 | 131 |
| Female, scratch | 90 | 131 |
| Female, 5 hcp | 87 | 125 |
| Female, 10 hcp | 83 | 119 |
| Female, 15 hcp | 79 | 111 |
| Shot Scope LM1 users (all) | 95.6 | 133.8 |
Ball speed by club (PGA Tour)
| Club | Club speed (mph) | Ball speed (mph) | Carry (yds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | 115 | 171 | 282 |
| 3-wood | 110 | 162 | 249 |
| 5-wood | 106 | 156 | 236 |
| Hybrid | 102 | 149 | 231 |
| 3-iron | 100 | 145 | 218 |
| 4-iron | 98 | 140 | 209 |
| 5-iron | 96 | 135 | 199 |
| 6-iron | 94 | 130 | 188 |
| 7-iron | 92 | 123 | 176 |
| 8-iron | 89 | 118 | 164 |
| 9-iron | 87 | 112 | 152 |
| PW | 84 | 104 | 142 |
The records
On Trackman, the highest ball speed recorded is 241.6 mph (Kyle Berkshire, October 2023). The highest club speed is 169.6 mph (Seb Twaddell, late 2023), which produced 240.8 mph of ball speed.
Questions people ask
What is a good ball speed with a driver?
The average male golfer (14.5 handicap) is about 133 mph in Trackman Combine data; scratch golfers average 161 mph and PGA Tour players 171 mph.
How much distance does 1 mph of ball speed add?
Trackman's rule of thumb: up to about 2 yards of driver distance per mph of ball speed, and up to 3 yards per mph of club speed.
What's the fastest ball speed ever recorded?
241.6 mph, by long-drive champion Kyle Berkshire in October 2023, measured on Trackman.
Keep reading
Sources
Every number on this page comes from one of these 5 pages. We checked them on Oct 27, 2026. Prices change often, so confirm before you buy.
About the author
Nouman SabirFounder & Editor
Nouman Sabir founded Carry & Spin and edits every page. Nouman reads the makers' manuals and plan pages, retailer listings and owner forums, works out what each setup really costs, and keeps every claim linked to its source. Nouman is a researcher, not a golf pro, and says so.
Expert review panel: PGA professionals and launch monitor testers who advise on the technical side of these guides.
