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

There are multiple reasons. A lower lofted club is usually longer, so it will swing faster and will hit the ball harder (same hand speed, if the club is longer, club head will be faster) Also a golf ball is launched with backspin when hit and the higher the loft, the more the backspin. Backspin will make a ball try to “curve” up so it essentially makes the ball slower in the forward direction as it flies. So couple higher swing speeds with less backspin and there is why the ball is going further!