Golf launch monitors have revolutionized how players understand and improve their game. Among the many metrics measured, Club Path and Attack Angle are two of the most influential when it comes to ball flight, consistency, and overall performance. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an aspiring tour player, understanding these numbers is essential to dialing in your swing. In this post, we’ll break down what these metrics mean, how to interpret their values, and a what the best players in the world average with each club.
Club Path: The Highway of your Swing Direction
What is Club Path?
Club Path describes the horizontal direction the clubhead is moving at the moment of impact relative to the target line. It’s measured in degrees and is one of the key determinants of a golf shot’s curvature. Club Path can be:
- Positive (In-to-Out) - The clubhead is moving to the right of the target line at impact (for a right-handed golfer).
- Negative (Out-to-In) - The clubhead is moving to the left of the target line at impact (for a right-handed golfer).
- Zero (Straight) - The clubhead is moving directly down the target line at impact.
This value alone doesn’t determine shot shape (Face angle and impact position also play an important role), but Club Path is critical in understanding the difference between draws, fades, pushes, and pulls.
What Does Each Value Mean?
- +2.0° to +4.0° In-to-Out: Typical of a draw-biased swing. Based on a center strike, if the face is closed to the path, you'll get a draw. If open, you'll see a push-fade.
- -2.0° to -4.0° Out-to-In: Common for players who tend to fade or slice. Based on a center strike, a closed face might produce a pull, while an open face leads to a fade or slice.
- 0.0°: Ideal for a neutral swing path; generally, produces straighter shots when paired with a square face.
Why Club Path Matters
Club Path is integral to diagnosing swing issues. A slicer often has a steep out-to-in path, with a very open club face, while a chronic hooker of the ball might swing too far in-to-out with a very closed club face. Adjusting path can not only improve consistency but it also opens up shot-shaping capabilities. In most cases, it’s best to have some curve on the golf ball vs. trying to hit straight shots, so once initial club path tendencies are understood, it’s easier to make swing changes, or optimize for existing movements.
Crafting Your Shot Shape with MLM2PRO
If you’d like to hit a draw, here are some ideal numbers to look for when working with an MLM2PRO:
- Club Path: +2° to +4°
- Start Direction: ~+1° to +3° (if start direction stays inside Club Path, this will indicate that the club face was appropriately closed to the target for a right to left shot shape!)
- Spin Axis: ~–2° to –5° (draw spin)
If you’d like to hit a fade, here are some ideal numbers to look for when working with an MLM2PRO:
- Club Path: -2° to -4°
- Start Direction: ~-1° to -3° (if start direction stays inside Club Path, this will indicate that the club face was appropriately open to the target for a left to right shot shape!)
- Spin Axis: ~+2° to +5° (fade spin)
Attack Angle: Your Club's Vertical Trajectory
What is Attack Angle?
Attack Angle measures the vertical direction the clubhead is moving at impact—essentially whether the club is moving up, down or level through the ball. Like Club Path, it’s measured in degrees:
- Positive Attack Angle: The clubhead is traveling upward (commonly seen with a driver).
- Negative Attack Angle: The clubhead is descending (typical for irons and wedges).
- Zero Attach Angle: Level with the ground at impact (rare, but possible).
What Does Each Value Mean?
- +3.0° to +5.0° (Upward): Ideal for maximizing distance with a driver. This helps reduce spin and increase launch.
- -2.0° to -5.0° (Downward): Common for iron shots, promoting ball-first contact and clean turf interaction.
- -6.0° to -10.0°: Normal for wedges, providing higher spin and control on shorter approach shots.
What Attack Angle Matters
The vertical attack influences launch angle, spin rate and smash factor. For instance, a downward attack with a driver can create excess spin and rob distance, while too steep a descent with irons may reduce consistency and balloon the ball.
Proper management of Attack Angle is key for distance control and optimizing ball flight. Golfers looking to increase driving distance often work on swinging more “up” with the driver, while better wedge play usually comes from a controlled, downward attack.
The Takeaway: Why These Metrics Matter to Every Golfer
Club Path and Attack Angle form a critical foundation for understanding how and why your shots behave the way they do. A small change in path or attack angle can dramatically alter your ball flight, consistency and shot shape.
Knowing your numbers can help you:
- Fine-tune your swing to match your goals
- Understand shot tendencies (like slices, hooks, thin shots)
- Optimize driver launch for more distance
- Improve iron and wedge consistency
Whether you're chasing a tour-level swing or just trying to beat your buddies, mastering these metrics is a huge step forward.
