Why do lower lofted golf clubs go further

Question

The ideal launch angle to get the most distance is 45 degrees, so why does a 20 degree club go further?

In: Physics

Answer 1

45 degree launch angle does correlate to the angle of the club. Look at a high speed video of an iron at impact and you will not see a scooping action but more of a pinching into the ground. Also the aero dynamics of a golf ball do not necessarily make 45 degrees the optimal launch angle.