If you've been around the sport long enough, there's a good chance you've heard or spoken the acronym “AoA” during a qualifying or practice session. AoA stands for angle of attack, a term used to describe how the clubhead moves (in degrees) relative to the ground. Because we are swinging in an arc and hitting the ball in a low position, there can only be two results: a positive AoA and a negative AoA.
Knowing whether or not you have a club is an important part of the equipment process – and we don't just smoke. In the latest episode of Golf games On the Fully Equipped podcast, Golf Laboratories founder Gene Parente and True Spec Golf's VP of tourism and education, Kris McCormack, discuss the importance of not only understanding AoA but the role it plays when looking for a new driver or iron set. of your game.
“A lot of players don't understand how to attack,” said Parente. “It's one of the most important parts of the game from a proper perspective. Most golfers don't understand that we swing in an arc and come down neutral at six o'clock and up. That arc is important for these clubs, such as driver, mini driver, fairway wood, hybrids and irons.
“Knowing your clubhead speed and spin is important, but your angle of attack is another important factor. It can help you decide if you need to take a course if you are too far away from it. And secondly, the type of equipment you will use based on that angle of attack. There will be serious consequences for establishment, swing and club selection. All those things are important.”
Every golfer is different, but if you need to know if you have a positive or negative AoA, seek out a reliable measurer or find a suitable launch monitor to determine how your clubhead is moving down the ground. If your AoA is the same across the board, you may be losing distance or struggling to increase launch and swing with certain clubs in the bag.
More concerning? You may pass the ball well but do it with a club that has too much or too little loft. If so, there's a good chance you're banging your head against the wall and blaming it on something that can't be solved with a loft renovation.
“If you look at it in gear and properly and just focus on the clubhead, for example, there is no industry standard for loft,” McCormack said. “A lot of players don't understand how big the gap is between one OEMs 6-iron loft versus another. We're talking as tight as 23 degrees on a 6-iron to something more traditional at 31 degrees.
“If you look at that 6-iron loft range, now we're using that in the application numbers. Let's say we have a guy who is going down 5 or 6 degrees and has a ton of leverage and a lean forward shaft. In this case, you are a high index player with a 25 or 26 degree iron. The chances of being able to produce good ball flight are those [AoA] Numbers that can't support spinning and holding the green are difficult.”
In Kris's example, a golfer would be better off adjusting the loft on his irons – no more than 2 degrees – or looking for a model with less room to continue launch, spin and carry on the green. If it sounds like an easy fix, that's because it is. But it all starts with knowing your gear and how you touch the ball.
Looking to revamp your wallet for 2024? Find the perfect spot near you at True Spec Golf.
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