What is total distance versus carry, and how much does roll really add to my numbers?
In plain language, what does "Total Distance" mean on my monitor or export?
Total distance is carry plus roll. It's the full distance the ball travels from impact to where it comes to rest.
Units: yards
Why does this metric matter for ball flight, dispersion, or scoring?
On firm fairways, total can exceed carry significantly. For approach shots, carry matters more. For drives, total helps with hole strategy.
What is a typical or competitive range for this stat?
Typically 5-15 yards more than carry on dry fairways. Wet conditions reduce roll.
What usually makes this number look bad or noisy in real rounds?
Excess back spin reduces roll. Low launch can increase roll. Hard greens make total less predictable.