Vertical descent angle is the angle your ball comes down at when landing.
Or how steeply it falls out of the sky.
Why Does Descent Angle Matter?
This is mainly going to determine the ball's stopping power on the greens. A steeper angle will provide a landing with less roll, and you would usually see this in a higher lofted club.
So if you're hitting a Driver the ball flight will be lower and therefore the descent angle will be shallower creating more roll distance on landing. Conversely, a Pitching Wedge will launch the ball at a higher angle which will create a much steeper descent with less roll.
To give yourself more strategies on the course you can manipulate the launch angle to combat the conditions, such as wind, by leaning the shaft forward slightly and positioning the ball back in your stance.
A good training tip to try next time you're on the range is to try hitting the same distance with different ball flights - you can try with the same club or experiment with different clubs. For example hitting 120 yards with a Pitching wedge with different ball flights. You will see the reaction of the ball on the green where the more lofted flight will stop quicker and the lower trajectory will run further. If you can learn to control this you can essentially double the number of clubs in your bag and give yourself flexibility on the course by adjusting to conditions.
What Influences Descent Angle?
Higher shots with more spin land steeper and stop quicker. A higher spinning shot will grip the air more and be able to land softer, and this is why spin axis becomes important here too. The axis around which the ball is spinning will help determine the curve of the ball flight and the approach direction to the green.
If your descent angle is too shallow, you'll struggle to hold greens, and if it's too steep you'll lose roll distance and efficiency.
How Golf Tech Helps
This is where Launch monitors come into their own as a practice aid, and why nearly all tour pro's will use one.
If you're practicing without data then you're missing out on crucial feedback. The launch monitor will be able to provide a range of different data metrics on your swing and ball flight. You can try different things to see what works and learn to control the ball, all in the comfort of your garden, or garage, or at the driving range.
As the golf technology market has evolved, there is a launch monitor to suit all budgets. The below chart shows an overview of most available launch monitors, a price indicator and what data level it can provide:
Summary
Descent angle controls how the ball finishes and that’s where lower scoring happens. If you can learn to manipulate the ball flight and therefore descent angle, you'll develop a much more control and effective course strategy and be able to handle conditions better which will help lower your scores.
Use Golf Tech. Understand your Swing. Play Better Golf.
