What is horizontal launch angle (starting line), and how do I interpret left versus right?
In plain language, what does "Horizontal Launch Angle" mean on my monitor or export?
HLA (Horizontal Launch Angle) is the initial direction the ball leaves the clubface, relative to the target line. Negative = left, positive = right.
Units: degrees
Why does this metric matter for ball flight, dispersion, or scoring?
HLA largely determines where the ball starts. Face angle at impact is the primary driver. For a straight shot, HLA should be near zero.
What is a typical or competitive range for this stat?
Target: ±1.5° for consistency. More than 2-3° off = significant miss.
What usually makes this number look bad or noisy in real rounds?
HLA left: face closed at impact. HLA right: face open. Often correlates with face-to-target. Alignment and path affect face delivery.