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

Think of it this way.

With drag from air, the ball starts slowing down immediately after launch. So the beginning of the flight is the time you’re going the fastest.

You want to spend as much of that fastest part moving forward, not up. By the time the ball is falling back to earth, even on a shallow drive, the speed is way lower than the beginning of it’s flight.