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Carry in Golf: What It Is & Why It Matters

What Is Carry?

Carry distance is how far the ball travels through the air before it first touches the ground. It excludes roll. Your launch monitor measures this directly from ball speed, launch angle, and spin.

Units: yards

Why It Matters

Carry is your true yardage—what you need for club selection. Roll varies with conditions; carry is consistent. Knowing your carry for each club is the foundation of course management.

Typical Ranges

Driver: 250-280 yards (scratch male). 7-iron: 165-175 yards. Wedges: 100-130 yards depending on loft.

Common Issues

Too short: low ball speed, poor contact, or excess spin. Too long: hot conditions or misread. Inconsistent carry across sessions suggests contact or swing path issues.

Related Metrics

Total Distance, Ball Speed, Launch Angle

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